RMParent September 2015 by RM Publishing

SEPTEMBER 2015 • RMPARENT.COM

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SEPTEMBER 2015

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

Distracted—technology is the challenge of our time

FIRST YEARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Preparing for preschool—routines and reassurance help kids adjust

FAMILY ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . 10

Under the stars—fall is a great time to camp in the great outdoors

Special Section AFT ER THE

AFTER THE BELL BELL Explore the possibilities HHHHHH

HHHHHH

for this fall and see what programs these providers have for your families.

ADVERTISI NG SUPPLEME NT

GIVE ME A BREAK . . . . . . . . 12 Keep less. Organize. Adapt—proven ways to be organized through the school year

COMMUNITY NEWS . . . . . . . 14 Get motivated—stay warm, be active, eat well, and read

HEALTHY LIVING . . . . . . . . 1 6 Declutter and organize your world—make some emotional and physical room to breathe

CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Events and activities for parents, kids and families

Features 18 S LIMMING DOWN

About 25 percent. That’s the percentage of northern Colorado’s children who are overweight and obese. There’s a tendency to blame one institution or another for rising overweight and obesity rates. Some blame fast food, others fault parents and many point their fingers at schools. But like most issues, this one is multi-faceted.

TIME OUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

But I miss my kids—full days without the kids, blessing or curse?

School District News Thompson School District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 First day of school…off and running, Explore Thompson program offers unique insight into school district

Poudre School District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Mountain biking club unites students across schools, supply drives fill student backpacks for new school year, calendar of events

Greeley-Evans District 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Ribbon cut on Early College Academy, School Kickoff celebration a great success, launch of renovated D6 stadium coming

20 PROGRAMMING OUR KIDS

While our kids are born with basically the same brain we were born with, what they are exposed to is very different today than in the past. A child’s brain is malleable and formed by what it encounters. With the influence of technology, kids are literally being programmed to think differently.

Lunchbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 School menus for Poudre, Thompson, Greeley-Evans and Windsor

ABOUT THE COVER: Corey, 11, loves to ride BMX, ride his longboard and hang with his brothers. Photo by Cheri Schonfeld, schonfeldphotography.com.

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perspective Distracted

Technology is the challenge of our time…

take my technology with me. In fact, I traded my laptop for a notebook because the laptop was too big to haul around. I like to be connected when I’m away…even if away is a coffee shop in a nearby town. And I like to be able to check my emails on my mobile phone when I’m out and about. In fact, I probably am a little too obsessive at times…especially when I’m expecting to hear about something from someone. And I have an iPad, too. So, what I’m trying to say it is that I’m not a Luddite when it comes to technology. I definitely take advantage of our connected world. In her story about technology and your kid’s brain (p20), Lynn Nichols says that technology is actually changing our kids’ brains and the way they think. Pretty interesting stuff ! What caught my attention was that distraction is becoming the new normal. But then I got distracted and forgot what had caught my attention, so I had to go back and reread it. Fortunately, I’m getting really good at just skimming through information so I was able to find it pretty quickly and ID it as something important that I should maybe think about, but then I got distracted again by a text message coming in that I had to check, so by the time I got back to what had caught my attention, which was by the way, distraction and the consequences of being distracted, I had to reread the entire paragraph to understand the context that distraction was mentioned in….breathe…which turns out to be that it’s becoming difficult for kids to focus on one thing very long and that attention is really the gateway to thinking….whew…. So…what to do? How can we teach patience in an instantgratification world? Or how to develop human (as in people in front of you who you can reach out and touch) relationships that aren’t just virtual? Or how to imagine? Well, jump right on over to Lynn’s story (no need to finish this) and find out! On a related note, we have a couple of stories that take differing views on how to organize your environment and how that will affect your mind...not a completely different theme after all. Turns out that our minds are constantly changing as we “feed” them. And if we feed our patient, kind, generous mind, that’s the one that grows. So let’s do that, Scott

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SEPTEMBER 2015 • Volume 20, Issue 4 PUBLISHER Scott Titterington, (970)221-9210 scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com EDITOR Kristin Titterington, (970)221-9210 kristin.rmpublishing@gmail.com CALENDAR EDITOR Kim Sharpe calendar@rockymountainpub.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Emily Zaynard emily.rmpublishing@gmail.com ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Greg Hoffman, (970)689-6832 greg.rmpublishing@gmail.com DISTRIBUTION Wendee Brungardt Sharon Klahn, Kyle Moyer COVER PHOTO Cheri Shonfeld, schonfeldphotography.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lea Hanson, Katie Harris, Lynn U. Nichols, Kim Sharpe

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLISHING 825 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521 Voice 221-9210 Fax 221-8556 editor@rockymountainpub.com www.RMParent.com Rocky Mountain Parent magazine is published monthly by Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. Publication of this paper does not consitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised. RMP reserves the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason. The opinions expressed by contributors or writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rocky Mountain Publishing. ©2015 Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without express written permission is prohibited.

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first years

Preparing for preschool Routines and reassurance help kids adjust

LY NN U. NICHOLS

ending your child to preschool for the first time can be traumatic for both of you. A little preparation goes a long way in easing both of your concerns. Follow these steps to make sure your child’s first day is a good one. BE IN THE KNOW If you can, visit the preschool with your child a few times before school starts. Let her meet the teacher, play on the playground and mingle with the other kids. If there’s a child she is drawn to, ask to arrange a play date before the first day. That way she will have a few familiar faces and maybe even a friend to welcome her at the door. Joining a preschool where friends already attend is another good option. CREATE A GOODBYE ROUTINE Routines help kids feel safe and secure. You know this to be true at bedtime so why not create one before school? It can involve simple things like picking out a school outfit and laying it on the bed before breakfast or more elaborate actions as in letting him order breakfast restaurant style to celebrate that it’s a school day. Maybe he also says goodbye to the family pet or a favorite toy. If separations tend to be hard, extend these rituals to when you arrive. Establish a special power handshake or hug, send him with a family photo or a special photo book that he can share with his teacher after you leave. If show-and-tell is a part of the routine, help him get excited to share his special item with the other kids. Remind him of the fun he will have playing with friends. DIVE IN With little ones you’ve likely learned that distraction is a great tactic. If your daughter feels nervous and doesn’t want you to leave, suggest that you explore the different stations and interest areas in the room. If it’s the book corner, have

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her point out ones she wants to read. If it’s the art corner talk about what she could paint or draw. Keep your voice upbeat and even act jealous that she gets to stay and you have to leave. LET HIM PICK Before school starts, take him shopping for a new backpack and if needed, a lunchbox. Letting him choose these fun items gives him ownership and helps him associate positive feelings with school. When packing his lunch, have him help prepare his meal and pick what goes in it. If he wants all sweets, guide him with choices, letting him know he can choose three healthy foods and one treat. To make it simple give him either-or choices as in, do you want carrots or grapes? Do you want a PB & J or a turkey pita? Let him pick out special school lunch items at the grocery store to further increase his enthusiasm. READ UP Before the first day, take a trip to the library and ask the librarian for books

about the first day of school. Find a quiet corner and read or take them home for bedtime. Engage in conversations with siblings or friends who can share positive stories about their preschool experiences. It goes a long way if the big kids think preschool is cool. Brag up that she’s starting preschool to neighbors and grandparents to send the message that she’s a lucky girl. TALK OUT HER FEELINGS If she says she’s afraid, answer in supportive way. Instead of denying her feelings by saying, “Oh, there’s nothing to be afraid of,” tell her it’s okay to be afraid and that most kids get nervous and a little scared to start school because it’s so new. Try to get to the root of her fear and then see if you can address the issue head on. If she is afraid of the kids, help her make a friend beforehand. If she is afraid to be apart from you, let her know you will pick her up in a few hours and that her teacher and other adults are there to help her with anything she might need.

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family activities

Under the stars

Fall is a great time to camp in the great outdoors KATIE HARRIS

he days are getting shorter, the nights cooler, but there’s still time to enjoy a night under the stars. Whether your idea of camping is pulling the R.V. into a local campground or roughing it off the grid, you can find the perfect spot to fit your camping vision right here in northern Colorado. IF YOU’RE NEW TO THE CAMPING SCENE... A campground is the way to go if you prefer to have amenities nearby, and neighbors to ask for help if you get in a bind. You’ll still enjoy the feeling of being outdoors and away from home, and some campgrounds offer educational programs, kids activities, and play structures for added entertainment. BOYD LAKE STATE PARK

Boyd Lake State Park has everything you need to spend a weekend outdoors. The campground fills up fast, and reservations are recommended. A state park permit is also required to enter the campground.

■ 3720 N CR 11C, Loveland 80538, 800678-2267, www.cpw.state.co.us COUNTY PARKS

The county parks system offers excellent lake-front campground camping, surrounded by hiking trails and secluded picnic areas. Remember to reserve early for weekend stays, and be prepared to purchase a permit for each day of your stay in the park.

■ Carter Lake (multiple campgrounds), west of Berthoud on CR31, 800-397-7795, www.co.larimer.co.us/parks/carter.cfm ■ Flatiron Reservoir, west of Berthoud on CR18E, 800-397-7795, www.co.larimer.co.us/ parks/flatiron.cfm ■ Horsetooth Reservoir (multiple campgrounds), west of Fort Collins on CR38E, 800-3977795, www.co.larimer.co.us/parks/horsetooth.cfm

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■ Pinewood Reservoir, west of Berthoud on CR18E, 800-397-7795, www.co.larimer. co.us/parks/pinewood.cfm KOAS

KOA campgrounds are luxurious, as campgrounds go. With bumper boats, mini-golf, swimming pools, fishing, ice cream socials, walking trails, and more, the possibilities for your stay are endless! Each KOA is different, and activities vary, so call or visit them online to see exactly what each one has to offer. Reservations are highly recommended.

■ Fort Collins KOA Lakeside, 1910 Lakeside Resort Lane, Fort Collins 80524, 800562-9168, www.fclakesidecg.com ■ Fort Collins North Wellington KOA, 4821 E. County Road 70, Wellington 80549, 800562-8142, www.koa.com ■ Fort Collins Poudre Canyon KOA, 6670 North US Highway 287, Laporte 80535, 800562-2648, www.koa.com/

IF YOU WANT A WILDERNESS ADVENTURE... If you know a thing or two about surviving outside of civilization, dispersed camping may be right up your alley. This type of camping is done outside a designated campground, and amenities may

not be available close by. The advantages to dispersed camping include privacy from other campers, peace and quiet, and a less-traveled area to explore. CANYON LAKES RANGER DISTRICT

This 650,000-acre area of the Roosevelt National Forest, located west of Fort Collins, allows visitors to pitch a tent in an area of their choosing, within 300 feet of most service roads. Camping is allowed year round and without reservations. Before camping, stop by the Canyon Lakes Visitor’s Center at 2150 Centre Ave., Bldg. E, Fort Collins, call them at 970295-6700, or visit their website for a map of restricted areas and current regulations at www.fs.usda.gov. CROW VALLEY RECREATION AREA

This grassland area is located just 14 miles east of Ault (northeast of Greeley). Dispersed camping is allowed on the grassland outside the designated recreation area year round and requires no reservations. Visit the Pawnee Ranger District in Greeley for more information, maps, and closures, at 660 “O” Street, Greeley, or call 970346-5000, or visit them online at www.fs.usda.gov.

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give me a break

Keep less. Organize. Adapt Proven ways to be organized through the school year KIM SHARPE

iles of stuff lying around drive me nuts and I have a very difficult time functioning in a chaotic, messy environment. My issue with clutter began early in life as can be documented through the following examples. When I was a kid and went to slumber parties, I’d stay up till after my friends finally gave in to sleep and cleaned up. (I’m sure my friends’ mothers loved me for it.) Both my parents worked, and as the older sibling, I felt responsible to make sure our house was ship shape and welcoming when my parents came home. Inevitably, however, my dad would get home and unknowingly crush my neat-freak little spirit by pulling chairs out from the kitchen table and leaving them askew, hanging his hat and clothing where they didn’t belong (according to my organizational system), spreading the newspaper and mail about and so on. My best defense would be to retreat to my room—where the environment was controlled by me—to avoid having a complete melt down. I remember once explaining to my parents that I couldn’t wait to get a place of my own because I’d move in, put away everything in its assigned place and always return things to those places after I used them. My reasoning was that my home would always be clean and tidy. They chuckled, but let me dream. Then I became a parent. I was able to keep control of my household fairly easily until my first born started kindergarten and the deluge of papers into our home began. It became imperative for me to adopt more strategic organizational strategies to deal with the increased influx of pile fodder. Here’s what I’ve learned over the years: Keep less. As a parent, it’s tempt-

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ing to treat every scrap of paper your child scribbles on and every “work of art” they create as esteemed archival treasures. At the risk of sounding like an uncaring, calloused parent, I’m sorry to say, they’re not. I know this because my husband and I are downsizing and I’ve had to turn over the boxes of our sons’ stuff to them to keep (or not). It’s amazing what we found in their boxes. Better yet, I had to go through my own box of stuff my mom gave me that I’ve kept for decades. I had worksheets dating back to 1st grade that were yellowed and brittle. Into the recycle bin they went. I only kept original stories I’d written, like Chocolate Chip Charlie, and truly remarkable self-portraits. The rest had to go. ORGANIZE WHAT YOU KEEP Whether it’s a cardboard box or plastic tub, I recommend you keep a container handy into which you can store the “keepers.” Beyond that, I recommend either having a large envelope, file folder or perhaps desktop plastic bin

available where you temporarily store papers that require your review and possibly a signature before they’re returned to your child’s school. ALLOW YOUR SYSTEM TO CHANGE This is a biggie. Over time, you may find that the organizational system you establish doesn’t quite meet the current situation and you need to be flexible in adopting a new one. For example, additional children in school may require a multi-compartmental file folder for temporary papers—each section labeled with a child’s name. Or maybe you simply have an “in” and “out” basket through which all children’s papers filter and are either filed in their respective “keeper” container or sent back to school. As I write this, I’m sounding a bit OCD even to me, but my experience has shown that a bit of intentional and consistent organization on the front end allows for more time for family time and that’s what it’s all about. Happy organizing!

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community news

Get motivated

Stay warm, be active, eat well, and read KIM SHARPE

f you’re looking for ways and reasons to stay warm this winter, get motivated to exercise, eat fresh, locally grown produce and read more. Larimer County has free firewood for the taking. Weld County recently released a report about the health of its residents and points to the need for people to move more. Fresh produce is for sale from a surprising source and proceeds are donated to help the community. And Greeley’s library is planning a full day of literacy fun that combines books and beer! You have to love the creative spirit of NoCo residents. FREE FIREWOOD FOR LARIMER COUNTY RESIDENTS The Larimer County Department of Natural Resources’ free firewood program is open for reservations on the department’s website. Firewood will be available for pickup at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space on the following Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting: September 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27. Reservations may be made online only at www.larimer.org/natural resources/firewood. Interested people should read the information on that webpage carefully for requirements. Individuals wishing to participate must be able to load the wood on their trucks and assist in loading all trucks in the group. They must sign up for only one of the available time slots for each of the dates. Attendance is limited to 12 vehicles each day. Firewood collection begins promptly at 9am on Saturdays and Sundays. Participants must have a printed receipt of signup to enter. They will meet at the Soderberg Trailhead, 3901 Shoreline Drive, at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space west of Fort Collins. Gates to the firewood collection area will be closed and

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locked after participants enter the open space. No late entry will be permitted. For information or to sign up, visit www.larimer.org/naturalresources/firewood. WELD COUNTY HEALTH SURVEY UNDERSCORES LINK Obesity, diabetes, food insecurity and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption are affecting some Weld County populations differently. The Weld County Health Department recently released the Weld Community Health Survey data results. The results consist of 25 topic reports, plus regional and key finding reports on community health data collected via a survey sent to over 7,500 randomly selected Weld County residents. “The Community Health Survey is currently our best means of collecting population health data effectively,” says Dr. Mark E. Wallace, Weld County Health Department executive director. “We and our partners use these data to plan programs and initiatives to keep Weld residents safe and healthy.” Despite the recent leveling off nationally, Weld County’s obesity rate increased by 16 percent between 2010 and 2013. Currently, nearly one out of three

residents is obese, but obesity affects some groups more than others. About four out of 10 Hispanic and Latino residents are obese compared to about two out of 10 non-Hispanic or Latino residents. Diabetes is becoming more common in Colorado and is on the rise in Weld County. Between 2007 and 2013, the diabetes rate increased by 40 percent from 6.4 to 8.9 percent. Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is higher among Greeley/ Evans residents compared to residents living in the Southeast portion of the county. SSB consumption also is higher among low-income residents. Countywide, about four out of 10 (or 45 percent) of residents drink SSBs at least once per day. Daily consumption of SSBs is associated with several chronic health conditions. Countywide, one out of 10 residents said they are worried about having enough money to buy nutritious meals, compared to two out of 10 Greeley/ Evans residents, and four out of 10 lowincome residents. About three out of four residents do not meet the recommendation for fruit and vegetable consumption of five or more servings per day; however, some

residents appear to be improving their vegetable intake. The percentage of Weld County residents who consumed three or more servings of vegetables per day increased by 13 percent between 2010 and 2013 from 24 percent to 27 percent. While nearly three out of four residents said they participated in physical activity for exercise in the past month, this rate is slightly lower than national and Colorado rates. A very common theme for residents responding to the question “What suggestions do you have on ways to make Weld County a healthier place to live, work and play?” was to have more parks, trails and paths for walking and biking. The Community Health Assessment is distributed every three years in Weld County. The survey data are used to develop a legislatively mandated Community Health Improvement Plan that all health departments within Colorado must address. To see more of the Community Health Assessment findings, visit www. co.weld.co.us/Departments/Health Environment/DataStatistics/2013 CommunityHealthSurveyResults.html. COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS CLIENTS GROWING AND SELLING PRODUCE Clients in the Larimer County Community Corrections intensive residential drug and alcohol treatment program grow, harvest and sell garden-fresh vegetables, herbs and melons at a Farmers’ Market held at 2255 Midpoint Drive, Fort Collins, every Monday, 9am-1pm. The farmer’s market will be open until the produce runs out. Community Corrections Director Tim Hand says the garden initiative is a “pay it forward” program yielding positive results from the Community Corrections clientele. Last year during the first three weeks of the market raised nearly $800. The produce is sold on a donation basis and market participants have chosen to donate the majority of the proceeds to United Way at the end of the market season. In addition, a portion of the revenues will be used to appreciate all the hard work the clients have accomplished growing and harvesting the produce. “We plan to use the appreciation revenue one afternoon for a barbecue

where our staff will cook hamburgers and hot dogs for the clients. I believe they deserve some return on their sweat equity investment,” Hand says. Since it was established in 2008, the program has expanded from a single plot to several beds and varieties of produce. Community Corrections clients not only work the produce stand, but they also designed, built and planted the garden to grow the produce. Donations for construction came from community businesses, County surplus and recycled County building materials. Local nurseries and landscape companies donated plants and supplies. Clients who work the garden also are involved in a 90-day drug and alcohol treatment program designed to confront the addictions and behaviors that led to their involvement in the criminal justice system. Currently, the Community Corrections Farmers’ Market offers corn, cucumbers, green peppers, Jalapeno and other hot peppers, pumpkin, tomatoes, summer squash, zucchini, cilantro, dill, basil, chives, onion and garlic. The market accepts cash and checks, but not credit cards. CELEBRATION OF READING The High Plains Library District (HPLD) invites the community to celebrate reading and literacy at its third annual ReadCon, to be held on Saturday, September 12. The event will feature author talks, writing workshops, crafts and beer. Think Woodstock in a world run by quirky librarians. Zoe’s Café in downtown Greeley will be the epicenter of the celebration that will span the downtown area with a large-

scale scavenger hunt and activities at The Nerd Store and the Lincoln Park Library. Attendees will get the buzz on hot titles of 2015, as well as sneak peeks at new titles that haven’t yet hit the shelves yet. A matchmaking robot will connect readers to their new favorite titles. A miniature RenFest will take place at the Lincoln Park Library. There also will be wandering storm troopers, Dr. Who references, Shakespearian quotations, a life-size R2D2 robot and other pop culture cameos to surprise and delight. To put the “read” in ReadCon this year, local Greeley author John Daly will be launching his new book Blood Trade and signing copies. Aspiring and experienced writers are welcome to attend workshops with award-winning author Connie Willis and Colorado Poet Laureate Joseph Hutchison. Festivities begin at 3pm; early birds may stop by the Lincoln Park Library at 2pm for RenFest fun and to pick up scavenger hunt checklists. The event will run into the evening capping off with Books and Brews at Zoe’s. Participants will get the chance to meet authors and talk books while sampling choice beers from some of our local breweries. HPLD also will host another full-day ReadCon on September 26 at the Carbon Valley Regional Library in Firestone. It will include a new array of speakers, programs and events including a Minecraft building competition, an outdoor storywalk and a zine workshop. (Zines are miniature magazines you can make at home). For more information, visit www. mylibrary.us/events/Readcon or call 1-888-861-7323. RMPARENT

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healthy living

Declutter and organize your world Make some emotional and physical room to breathe LEA HANSON

ach time we fail to put something away is a missed opportunity to make a decision. Whether it’s procrastination or just plain messiness, challenge yourself this fall to change your habits and make a hundred small decisions every day. Making decisions feels good and creates closure on issues whether big (buying a house) or small (picking up a shirt from the floor and hanging it in the closet). It closes the loop on a project. The fewer open loops we have, the less stress we feel. Clutter in the home (or life) can easily lead to increased stress, anxiety, and can negatively affect relationships. Both physical and emotional space exist in our lives. Just like a loud, obnoxious, close-talking person can take up too much emotional space, too much “stuff ” in the home takes up too much physical space. Most people can easily see the benefits of getting rid of the unneeded stress that fills up our emotional space, but few place as much value on the benefits of ridding ourselves of unneeded items that fill up our physical space. Decluttering the physical space cannot be discounted; it is often just as rewarding as decluttering our emotional space. It’s simple: When we have clutter and unwanted stuff in our lives, there isn’t space for the real, valuable items we seek. Freeing your home of clutter is freeing your mind and spirit, too. While many think of deep cleaning and organizing as a springtime activity, the best organizers with the least amount of junk and clutter spend time each month, week, or even day getting rid of things they no longer need or want and/or putting away things that have been misplaced or left out. Those with lots of clutter are usually those who find the tasks the most daunting. But decluttering doesn’t have to be overwhelming and it can be done in small, manageable steps. Here are some tips: 16

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USE BOXES AND CONTAINERS Organizing items into smaller boxes and containers not only helps save enormous amounts of space, it also forces you to go through smaller items and assess their value to your life. Also, utilizing smaller containers gives every item a proper place in your home. Once everything has a proper place, it feels easier to tidy things up and put things away. PUT ALIKE THINGS TOGETHER Once you’ve put all the spatulas together in one drawer or all of your shoes on a shelving unit in your closet, you’ll soon realize you have no need for eight spatulas and 25 pairs of shoes. This simple move compartmentalizes a declutter process. It’s daunting to declutter an entire kitchen, but easy to put a few spatulas in a garage sale box. ACT LIKE YOU’RE MOVING Walk through rooms and go through doors with a packer’s mindset. Would you move this item to a new home? Whether or not you would move an item to a new home depends on many things: Is it in good shape? Is it something you’ve used recently? Is it something you use regularly? If

you’ve answered no to any of these questions, consider getting rid of it. ASSESS YOUR ROOMS Walk through the rooms of your home and assess where you use each item. Games are mostly used in the family room, kids’ toys are mostly used in their rooms. Remove things from rooms and put them in the room that makes more sense. Some rooms will empty out while others will fill up; this simple feeling of emptiness or fullness will make it clear which areas of your home (and life) have too much stuff. And, since it feels more urgent to declutter a full room, you may get just the motivation you need. THINK OF YOUR ITEMS AS HAVING VALUE Unused and unwanted items are still valuable, even if they’re no longer valuable to you. Whether you can sell them for money in a clothing exchange such as The Clothes Mentor or Once Upon a Child or hock them on Craig’s List, someone may want—and pay for—the things you aren’t using. And, even if you can’t trade them in for cash, challenge yourself to consider the value someone else would place on an item as something they could not otherwise afford.

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Slimming down Everyone can help kids overcome being

overweight Kim Sharpe

bout 25 percent. That’s the percentage of northern Colorado’s children who are overweight and obese. In Weld County, that percentage soars to almost 32 percent. “Colorado is considered to be a healthy state overall, but our childhood obesity rate is rising at the second fastest rate in the nation,” says Carlee Rosen, the Make TODAY Count! campaign coordinator at the North Colorado Health Alliance. WHY ARE KIDS GETTING FAT? There’s a tendency to blame one institution or another for rising overweight and obesity rates. Some blame fast food, others fault parents and many point their fingers at schools. But like most issues, this one is multi-faceted. “It’s not just the dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets and the over-salted foods that are making kids fat,” says Deirdre Sullivan, UCHealth Community 18

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Health Improvement program supervisor. “It’s a combination of things, like kids consuming less nutritious food and getting less physical activity.” The many reasons kids are gaining weight at epidemic proportions include that they’re: ■ Consuming too much sugar. Sugar is in most processed foods, so even if you think you’re doing well by avoiding the sugar bowl, think again, and be especially cautious about consuming sugarladen beverages. The problem is that “added sugar means empty calories (no nutrients beyond calories) that put kids at risk of obesity,” according to the Mayo Clinic. And sugar is proven to have additive properties, so the more sugar kids consume, they more they want. Experts recommend adults and kids mostly drink water, then low- or no-fat milk followed by 100-percent fruit juice. ■ Eating larger portions. Over the past 20 years, the portion size

Americans have come to accept as “normal” has double or tripled. This is a problem because larger portions lead to more calories consumed.

■ Eating fewer whole, unprocessed foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Dr. Cory Carroll, a Fort Collins-based family physician says, “A whole-food, plant-based diet is based on whole or minimally processed plants, primarily fruits, vegetables, whole grains, tubers and legumes. It excludes or significantly minimizes animal-based foods: meat dairy and eggs. Also the avoidance of processed foods is critical.” While fresh, unprocessed food wins out as the most nutritious, there’s still room in a healthy diet for treats. Sullivan says, “I don’t have a problem with my son eating a cupcake if I know he’ll get to go for a 45-minute bike ride to burn it off.” ■ Sitting more. Whether in front of a television or computer screen or in a family vehicle, kids are sitting more and moving

less. The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. According to the Colorado Health Survey, 2011-2013, only 37 percent of children aged 5-14 years get this much active time, while almost 44 percent of their Weld County peers are physically active for at least 60 minutes a day. Colorado is among four states that don’t require physical activity be included in the school day schedule and the majority of NoCo elementary schools offer P.E. only once a week. The national recommendation is that elementary students have P.E. every day for 30 minutes. SHORT- AND LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES The concern about our kids’ weight isn’t just another way to single out a certain population. The concern is that overweight or obese children and teens are at risk for serious health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, certain types of cancers, and bone and joint problems. “According to the surgeon general, obesity today is officially an epidemic; it is arguably the most pressing public health problem we face, costing the health care system an estimated $90 billion a year. The disease formerly known as adult-onset diabetes has had to be renamed Type II diabetes since it now occurs so frequently in children. Because of diabetes and all the other health problems that accompany obesity, today’s children may turn out to be the first generation of Americans whose life expectancy will actually be shorter than that of their parents,” says Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. Overweight and obese kids also are more likely to experience social and psychological problems. A 2003 study published in the “Journal of the American Medical Association” found that obese children face emotional and social side effects similar to those of children facing cancer treatment. And obese children are 63 percent more likely to be bullied by other kids. WHAT WE CAN DO As a community, we must address the issue of childhood overweight and obesity if we want to do right by our children.

U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama believes that reducing childhood obesity is both “a moral obligation to our children” and “a patriotic obligation to our country.” And it has to be a joint effort. Rosen says, “It can’t be one organization to do it. We have to have the whole community involved if we want a lasting impact.” The Make TODAY Count! campaign she oversees aims to do just that. One way the campaign helps kids explore possibly new, healthy food is by having them work in one of 10 community gardens. Children get to plant, weed and harvest vegetables, and then learn how to prepare them. Tasting their creations is a fun part of the education. In partnership with the Greeley Farmers’ Market and UCHealth Healthy Kids Club, Rosen’s group teaches children about healthy eating through the “Growing Kids” program and Kid’s Zone at the Market the second Saturday of each month, 9:3011:30am. Each participating child has fun with food through activities, receives a $2 coupon to spend at the Market on fruits and vegetables and a reusable shopping bag. Schools can help teach kids to eat well, too. In recent years, Poudre, Thompson and Weld County School Districts have worked hard to put policies in place to make school lunch and vending choices healthier. “Healthy food in schools is a vital component of supporting the overall collective health of students in our schools and community,” says Kathy Schlepp, Thompson School District wellness coordinator. Plus, in recent years, establishing gardens on school grounds is a proven way to get kids excited about eating more fresh produce. Community programs, like food banks, have a role to play, too. Liz Donovan, program nutritionist and registered dietician with the Food Bank for Larimer County, says that organization’s “…focus is on offering healthy foods.” The Food Bank runs a “Kids’ Café” where this past summer, it distributed more than 45,000 meals to children at a variety of locations throughout Larimer County, includ-

ing recreation centers, Boys & Girls Clubs and a few mobile home parks. The Food Bank’s chef cooks most meals from scratch using fresh food and tries to make kids’ favorites healthier. Even with this type of “surroundsound” support for healthy eating, kids may still balk at new or different foods. To thwart that, Sullivan says, you have to keep at it. Research says it can take as many as 13 introductions to a new food before kids will try it and like it. “You have to have repeated exposures. And you can’t place carrots and hummus next to the cupcakes or the veggie wraps next to the pepperoni pizza.” Give kids lots of food options, but make sure they’re all healthy ones. At the end of the day, parents can have the biggest impact on their child’s weight and overall well-being. “Of all the factors that contribute to the solution of childhood overweight and obesity, parents are the most important. From the center of the circle modeling healthy eating and daily (fun) ways to exercise to the outer layers of advocating for changes in schools and communities to making the healthy choice the easy choice, parents are critical to tipping the scales in the right direction.”

Gardening and cooking resources for NoCo Kids

• Foodies! www.foodiescca.com or 970- 2262665 • Gardens on Spring Creek www.fcgov.com/gardens or 970416-2486 • Loveland Youth Gardeners www.lovelandyouthgardeners.org or 970- 669-7182 • Make TODAY Count! www.maketodaycount.org or 970350-4673 • Sproutin’ Up www.sproutinup.org • UCHealth Healthy Kids Club www.uchealth.org or 970-495-7511 • Whole Foods Market Salud! Cooking School www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/ fortcollins or 970-267-9200

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programming our kids

Technology is changing how our kids think and interact Lynn U. Nichols

s technology changes our lives, it is also changing our brains. While our kids are born with basically the same brain we were born with, what they are exposed to is very different today than in the past. A child’s brain is malleable and formed by what it encounters. With the influence of technology, kids are literally being programmed to think differently. If you observe young children who have access to touchpad technology, you’ll see them trying to touchpad their world. In their minds, books should be interactive and everything should have buttons. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR OUR KIDS? “Technology is changing how our kids interact with the world,” says Dr. Usha Udupa, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with UCHealth’s Mountain Crest Behavioral Health Center in Fort Collins. 20

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BRAINS AS COMPUTERS In some ways, the demand of technology to take in information quickly and cope with multiple bits of information all at once is training our kids’ brains to work more like computers. In other words, their brains are being wired to scan information rapidly and skim the surface of several items at once, rather than travel one train of thought uninterrupted, as we do when we read a book or an article. With the Internet and smartphones, distraction is the norm and it’s nearly impossible to focus on one item for any length of time. This is changing how our kids pay attention. According to a recent article in Psychology Today, attention is the gateway to thinking and is highly influenced by the environment—and technology is training our kids to pay attention very differently than in the past. Some argue this skimming versus diving deep is stripping away imagination and

the ability to think critically. Kids are still smart; it’s just a different kind of smart. Rather than remembering facts, they are learning where to find information. Rather than teaching extended focus, they are learning to identify important information amongst clutter and become skilled decision makers. It has been said that kids and young adults rely on the Internet as their external brain. They no longer have to hold a ton of information in their heads because it’s at their fingertips. INSTANT GRATIFICATION Patience and waiting for what they want has never been a universal strongpoint for kids. With the rise in technology, this may be even more challenging. “Technology plays into how quickly kids expect results. It’s important to counter this habit by teaching patience and delayed gratification. If your child wants

something, help them earn it. If kids don’t learn this skill they may have a hard time later in life in school or work,” Udupa says. CHANGING THE SOCIAL LANDSCAPE Social media is changing what it means to have a relationship. Teens might have “friends” in other states—they’ve never met them but they team up together on video games. Kids have hundreds of “friends” on Facebook or include 20 people on their Snapchat list and share their activities virtually, but may not have a friend that they really trust. With social media, kids are always on—always accessible. Interactions are often brief and can be meaningless. Words are not minced or adjusted depending on a reaction, as no reaction is seen. Doesn’t it make you wonder if we act differently on social media like we do when we drive? Does faux anonymity make us more careless, quick to react, and maybe less kind? “With social media, kids connect a lot faster with each other and expect immediate responses. They often don’t let the dust settle before taking action,” Udupa comments. BALANCE THEIR BRAINS What’s great is that as parents you can help balance your child’s brain by promoting activities that provide the opposite stimuli of technology. If technology teaches kids to be adept at taking in a ton of information at once and sorting through for nuggets, counter this skill with promoting sustained attention on one thing—like completing a task that has multiple steps or reading a book from start to finish. Feed imagination by promoting free play with homemade games and crafts. Research has shown that kids who engage in unstructured play are happier and better adjusted. Free play is open-ended and child-led—and often involves the imagination. When you play with your younger children, let them direct and make choices about happens next. Free play has been shown to enhance how kids interact socially, solve problems and cope with stress. Help kids learn to think critically by going old school with books, games,

puzzles and maps. Consider how we use GPS navigation to get around. Will young kids today who only grow up with navigation develop a natural compass? Will they learn to hold a master map of the streets of their cities or the structure of their countries in their minds? Get in the habit of having your child help with directions on a paper map, even if you’re just going around town. Connect the idea that hard work and patience pays off. Kids who learn to work and wait for what they want will be more successful in future careers. A number one complaint bosses have today is that young people expect

continual excitement and challenge when in reality, most jobs demand completing at least some tedious tasks. Balance your kids’ online social interactions with lots of real-life interactions with friends. Learning to read facial cues and body language—and to sit with a friend and really listen—will help them achieve meaningful relationships. “Kids don’t need to learn more technology skills; they need to learn more human skills. Knowing how to interact and talk with people will always be important,” Udupa concludes. UCHealth sponsored this article.

Take cell phone breaks Don’t you wonder what being on and accessible all the time does to your kids’ inner tranquility? If they are always checking their phones to see whom texted them or Snapchatted in the last 15 minutes how are they ever getting to the calm place that brings introspection and true relaxation? If you have a smartphone yourself, you likely can relate to being on its leash. It’s hard to resist the temptation of picking up your phone every few minutes. A recent study found people check their phones 150 times on average per day. It’s time to take back your power—and to do the same for your kids! Here are some tips to loosen the leash: • Declare certain times and places as cellphone free zones. The dinner table, the car, family outings and the last few hours before bed are good places to start. • Turn off notification sounds. Every time your cellphone dings to indicate a new text, email or missed call your concentration to the task at hand is broken. Disable these sounds and gain some peace. Go a step further and uninstall apps. Do you really need Twitter and email on both your phone and laptop? Better yet, consider how these apps make you feel and if you need them at all. • Shut off your phone or put it in airplane mode during social get-togethers. While it may now be the norm for kids and even adults to be on their phones while they are out to dinner or at a sporting event, you don’t

have to accept it in your own family. Promote being present by requiring phones be stored away during conversations. • Put phones to bed. Help yourself and your kids disconnect with phones at the end of the day by making a rule that they all have to be in the kitchen or on the dining room table each night. The physical act of putting the phone away will let you relax and likely get a better night’s sleep.

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thompson school district news First day of school! Off and running! After a summer break filled to the brim with classes, activities and fun, Thompson School District was proud to welcome students back to school for the 2015-16 academic year. Elementary students, 6th graders and 9th graders kicked off the new year with “Transition Day” on August 20, a time to get re-adjusted to school life and get settled in to the new surroundings. All other grades began their year on August 21. Here are a few photos from this year’s return to school. We hope you have an outstanding school year! “EXPLORE THOMPSON” PROGRAM OFFERS UNIQUE INSIGHT INTO SCHOOL DISTRICT Thompson School District is pleased to announce the arrival of “Explore Thompson,” a nine-month in-depth program designed to take community members on a journey throughout the district, learning new things and making new friends. The program is ideal for parents and community members who would like to learn more about their schools and the district. “Explore Thompson” will cover nearly every aspect of the district and school structure, including: • Early Childhood • E ducational programs available to students • Operations • Facilities • Transportation services • Governance (local, state and federal) • Safety and security • Student assessment • Technology • Financial information • District committee structure • and much more...

Meetings will be held on the third Thursday of each month from September through May from 9:30am to noon. Meeting hours for the January session may be extended due to 24

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a potential field trip. Space is limited to 25 participants. To enroll, please fill out the registration form located at the following link: http://tinyurl. com/nlnmqwu For more information on the Explore Thompson program, please contact Mike Hausmann, TSD Public Information Officer, at 613-5011 or at michael.hausmann@thompson schools.org.

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poudre school district news Mountain biking club unites students A warm breeze drifted through Lory State Park in early August, ruffling the hair of high school students from five PSD schools as they strapped on gloves and secured helmets. Riders from all over the district populate the mountain biking clubs that have sprung up at Fossil Ridge, Fort Collins and Rocky Mountain high schools over the last five years. At their first practice of the season, the pack of young cyclists confidently faced the challenge of racing up a mountain and back down through the valley. The thrice-weekly practices have given FCHS senior Sam Ruff a close community of friends that cross-school boundary lines. “Riding by yourself isn’t as fun as riding with friends,” she explains. “It’s always fun to try to beat your friends.” Her friend from Fossil Ridge, Alex Marr, agrees: “We’re such a tight-knit group, we really are like one big family.” But that supportive local community of young riders hasn’t always existed in Fort Collins. Rather, it resulted from the hard work of parent Jason Trujillo. “My son was really into mountain biking and BMX biking when he was in high school. I would take him out with me and my friends, but the only friends he had his age were across the state,” Trujillo says. As he worked to develop a forum for high school cyclers to gather, a nonprofit called Ciclismo was born, with the goal of getting kids of all ages in northern Colorado on bikes. Now, they support mountain biking clubs at three high schools, coaching more than 30 students. “As coaches we have a lot of conversations around the kids’ needs. Our first goal is to develop them as humans; the second goal is the sport,” Andy Clark, professional racer and director of sports for Ciclismo says. “We’re taking kids over the tree line on mountain bikes– 26

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that’s incredible character building.” They bond over miles of strenuous effort, the exertion of the same-shared passion. In the process, the teenagers develop a healthy lifelong skill, gaining spatial awareness and the physicality and mental focus required to succeed as endurance athletes. “You feel good emotionally and physically when you’re on a bike,” math teacher and Rocky club sponsor Susan Chaffee, who’s been mountain biking for more than 25 years, says. The students will race five times during the season, every other weekend from late August to October, culminating in the state championship race. With two past league championship wins by local kids, the bar is set high. But it’s hardly everyone for him- or herself. “This is more of a community thing. It’s not about the racing. It’s about being

part of a team,” Kegan Macrae, junior at Rocky says. “We’re a family, really.” SUPPLY DRIVES FILL STUDENT BACKPACKS FOR NEW SCHOOL YEAR Thanks to the combined efforts of the PSD Partnership and Volunteer Center and the OtterCares Foundation, nearly

PSD Calendar of Events September 8 ...... 6 :30pm, Board of Education meeting, Johannsen Support Services Complex, 2407 LaPorte Avenue. September 11 .... N o School K-12, Offices closed for Labor Day September 22 .... 6 :30pm, Board of Education meeting, Johannsen Support Services Complex, 2407 LaPorte Avenue.

2,000 students returned to school this fall armed with fresh erasers, gluesticks, pencils and notebooks. More than 40,000 items awaited eager, income-qualified families on August 7, who flooded the North Atzlan Community Center as soon as the doors opened to pick out backpacks and fill them with free school supplies. OtterBox employees functioned as personal shoppers to help each child pick out items for the upcoming school year. “It’s all worth it when you see the smiles on the kids’ faces, and the life it brings to the volunteers,” says Adam Molzer, coordinator for the OtterCares Foundation, who spent months planning logistics. More than 200 OtterBox employees volunteered their time to make the event possible. “Every year they have more people to help, so it’s getting faster and faster,” parent Rocio Acevedo says. “My kids like it because they’re very excited to come and pick out their backpacks and supplies.” With half of the room dedicated to fun, educational games and activities

encouraging entrepreneurship and philanthropy, kids had a chance to catch up with their friends after summer break. “My favorite part is seeing all my friends again,” middle school student Elyssa Lussier says. “And the mechanical pencils.” The school supply drive will continue over the next few weeks with efforts by community members, Colorado State University’s School is Cool Program,

Realities for Children, Volunteers of America, Intel and other partners. “We know that students learn best when best prepared, and our business partners are instrumental in helping our students thrive,” Beth Higgins, partnership and foundation coordinator says. “A sincere thanks to everyone for their efforts to meet the needs of every child in the district.”

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greeley-evans district 6 news Ribbon cut on Early College Academy Latino Chamber of Commerce. More than 20 other sponsors provided funding for school supplies, sports physicals, beverages and student entertainment.

Early College Academy opened in August with 160 students who will graduate the program with both a high school diploma and an associateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree. The new high school is a partnership between Aims Community College and District 6, and will provide students with up to 60 college credits upon graduation. Classes will be taught both by District 6 staff and Aims faculty. College credits earned during high school will be transferable to any four-year college or university in Colorado. Gordon Boschman came on board as principal of ECA this summer. The school is located in the former Aims Corporate Center at 5590 W. 11th Street in Greeley. SCHOOL KICKOFF CELEBRATION A GREAT SUCCESS The second annual School Kickoff Community Celebration, held August 8 at Island Grove Regional Park, was a great success, thanks to our amazing volunteers and sponsors. Sponsorships and donations totaling more than $40,000 allowed District 6 to give away 2,200 backpacks filled with school supplies and supplied a free 28

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lunch to more than 2,000 people who attended the event. The day also featured activities and information given out at 65 community booths, tours of emergency response vehicles, a petting zoo, tours of city and school buses, balloons, face painting and performances by four student groups. Nextcare also provided more than 70, $10 sports physicals on site. Thanks to the staff and more than 150 volunteers who helped pack backpacks and assisted the day of the event. We couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do it without you! And thanks also to our title sponsor Banner Health/North Colorado Medical Center, and to all the other major sponsors: Monfort Family Foundation Fund, High Plains Library District, JBS-USA, ABC Bright Beginnings, NCMC Foundation, Flood and Peterson, Staples Foundation, FMS Bank, Kaiser Permanente, Aims Community College, The Community Foundation Serving Greeley and Weld County Littler Fund, The Success Foundation, Greeley UPS Stores, the University of Northern Colorado, Weld Schools Credit Union, Our Saviors Lutheran Church and the Northern Colorado

LAUNCH OF RENOVATED D6 STADIUM COMING A celebration of the newly renovated District 6 stadium, featuring new FieldTurf, will be held before the Greeley West and Northridge football game September 4. The pre-game ceremony begins at 6:40pm and will feature the Thunderstorm Skydiving Team, as seen at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium. Officials from the city of Greeley, and District 6 will also ceremonially christen the new turf. The turf project at D6 Stadium was funded by the city of Greeley, which gave the school district nearly $2 million to pay for the installation of the turf, both at D6 Stadium and the D6 soccer stadium. Both the pregame event and the game are open to the public. Please join us to celebrate this occasion!

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lunchbox POUDRE SCHOOL DISTRICT— Elementary student lunches are $2.45, secondary student lunches are $2.70 and reduced lunches are $0.40. Entrees offered daily: Elementary—a variety of fruits and vegetables, milk and juices; Secondary—hot and cold sandwiches, fruits and vegetables, deli salad and pizza. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1 Cheese ravioli; chicken parm sandwich 2 Orange chicken & rice; hamburger/ cheeseburger 3 Beef burrito; chicken nuggets 4 Pepperoni or cheese pizza 7 No school! 8 Lasagna w/veggies; ranch chicken bites w/roll 9 Sweet & sour meatballs; “Fried” rice 10 Beef tacos & cilantro lime rice; baked chicken & roll 11 BBQ chicken or cheese pizza 14 Potato bar w/chili; chicken nuggets 15 Spaghetti & meatballs; ham & cheese sub sandwich

16 Asian Teriyaki rice bowl w/chicken; hamburger/cheeseburger 17 Beef enchilada bake; chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich 18 Pepperoni or cheese pizza 21 Taco burger; mac’n cheese 22 Cheesy chicken pasta bake; turkey gravy & roll 23 Asian noodles w/chicken; trout treasures 24 Chicken fajita bowl; chicken patty sandwich 25 No school K-8 28 Hot dog; pulled pork sandwich 29 Cheese ravioli; chicken parm sandwich 30 Orange chicken & rice; hamburger/ cheeseburger

MIDDLE SCHOOLS 1 Cheese ravioli; chicken parm sandwich 2 Orange chicken & rice; hamburger/ cheeseburger 3 Beef burrito; chicken nuggets 4 Pepperoni or cheese pizza 7 No school! 8 Lasagna w/veggies; ranch chicken bites w/roll 9 Sweet & sour meatballs; “Fried” rice 10 Beef tacos & cilantro lime rice; baked chicken & roll 11 BBQ chicken or cheese pizza 14 Potato bar w/chili; chicken nuggets 15 Spaghetti & meatballs; ham & cheese sub sandwich

THOMPSON R2J SCHOOL DISTRICT — Elementary lunches are $2.75. Secondary school lunches are $3. Reduced lunches are $0.40. Offered daily: PBJs & fruit. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1 Pizza stick; crispy chicken tender salad 2 Chicken patty sandwich; chef salad 3 Cheesy nachos w/cheddar cheese sauce 4 Fish nuggets; garden entrée salad 7-8 No school! 9 Chicken breast strips w/mashed potatoes 10 Chicken burrito bowl; taco salad 11 Meatball sandwich; garden entrée salad 14 Turkey w/gravy; Caesar salad 15 Pretzel w/cheese; crispy chicken tender salad 16 BBQ sandwich; chef salad 17 Turkey chipotle burrito; taco salad 18 Chicken wrap; garden entrée salad 21 Chicken breast nuggets; Caesar salad

22 French bread boat; crispy chicken tender salad 23 Hamburger; chef salad 24 Chicken taco; taco salad 25 Mac’n cheese; garden entrée salad 28 Mini pancakes/sausage patty; Caesar salad 29 Pizza stick; crispy chicken tender salad 30 Chicken patty sandwich; chef salad SECONDARY SCHOOL 1 Pizza stick w/sauce; grilled chicken sandwich 2 Sandwich bar 3 Nachos w/cheese; meat lasagna 4 Fish sandwich; spicy chicken patty sandwich 7-8 No school! 9 Chicken breast strips; hot ham & cheese sandwich 10 Chicken burrito bowl; French bread boat

11 Egg roll w/popcorn chicken; meatball sandwich 14 Turkey w/gravy; nachos w/cheese 15 Pesto pasta w/chicken; pretzel w/cheese sauce 16 Pizza bar; BBQ sandwich 17 turkey chipotle burrito; chicken breast nuggets 18 Orange chicken; pizza stick 21 Chicken breast nuggets; BBQ sandwich 22 French bread boat; hot ham & cheese sandwich 23 Burger bar; sweet potato puff 24 Chicken taco; hotdog 25 Mac n’cheese; popcorn chicken 28 Chicken & waffles; grilled cheese sandwich 29 Pizza stick; grilled chicken sandwich 30 Sandwich bar

GREELEY DISTRICT 6 —To obtain a complete meal, student gets an entrée and can select 1-3 sides. Elementary lunches are $2.55, and middle school lunches are $2.80, reduced-price lunches are $.40. Offered daily: PBJ. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich; turkey & cheese wrap 1 2 Lasagna w/breadstick; PBJ 3 BBQ chicken w/dinner roll; Italian hoagie 4 Cheese or green chili chicken pizza; PBJ 7 No school! 8 Cheese ravioli w/red sauce and breadstick; club hoagie 9 Chicken soft taco; PBJ

10 Buffalo chicken sandwich; ham & cheese hoagie 11 Hawaiian or cheese pizza/ PBJ Please check website for the rest of the month— they were not available at the time of publication. MIDDLE SCHOOL Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich; turkey & cheese wrap 1 2 Lasagna w/breadstick; PBJ 3 BBQ chicken w/dinner roll; Italian hoagie 4 Cheese or green chili chicken pizza; PBJ

7 No school! 8 Cheese ravioli w/red sauce and breadstick; club hoagie 9 Chicken soft taco; PBJ 10 Buffalo chicken sandwich; ham & cheese hoagie 11 Hawaiian or cheese pizza/ PBJ Please check website for the rest of the month— they were not available at the time of publication.

WINDSOR SCHOOL DISTRICT — Price for elementary lunch is $2.65, for middle school students, $2.90. Reduced lunches are $0.40. Salad bar is served daily with entrees. Offered daily: PBJ and yogurt. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1 Alfredo twists 2 Soft shell chicken taco 3 Popcorn chicken 4 No lunch PD day 7 No school! 8 hamburger 9 Hard shell taco 10 Curly spaghetti w/tomato sauce/ meatballs 11 Big Daddy pizza 14 Hot dog 15 Chicken & black bean chili 16 French toast/ cinnamon apples/

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sausage 17 Teriyaki chicken/brown rice 18 Cheese breadsticks & marinara dip 21 Chicken sandwich 22 Ravioli 23 Cheesy nachos 24 Chicken tenders 25 No school! 28 Mac n’ cheese 29 Alfredo twists 30 Turkey pot pie & veggies SECONDARY SCHOOL 1 Alfredo twists 2 Soft shell chicken taco

3 Fish & chips 4 Pepperoni calzone w/marinara sauce 7 No school! 8 Cheeseburger 9 Hard shell taco 10 Lasagna 11 BBQ turkey sandwich 14 Weiner wrap 15 Chicken & black bean chili 16 French toast/ cinnamon apples/ sausage 17 Teriyaki chicken/brown rice 18 Steak & cheese sandwich 21 Hot & spicy chicken sandwich

22 Ravioli 23 Super nachos 24 Chicken tenders/ potatoes & gravy 25 No school! 28 Mac n’ cheese 29 Alfredo twists 30 Turkey pot pie & veggies 23 Cheeseburger 24 Teriyaki chicken 25 Ravioli 26 Pepperoni calzone 29 Chicken patty 30 Turkey Lo Mein

Larimer County Farmer’s Market Since 1975! FORT COLLINS EXCLUSIVE GROWER’S-ONLY MARKET — we grow what we sell —

May 16, to October 24, 2015 8:00am to Noon 200 W. Oak Street LARIMER COUNTY COURTHOUSE PARKING LOT WE ACCEPT

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SEPTEMBER 2015 ONGOING THROUGH SEPTEMBER 6 Windsor 125 Display at the Museum A custom exhibit honoring Windsor’s 125-year history. Art and Heritage Center, 116 5th St., WS. Thursday-Sunday, 124pm. 970-674-2443 or www.windsorgov. com. SEPTEMBER 4 THROUGH 7 Thunder in the Rockies Join motorcycle enthusiasts and weekend warriors together from across the country to share their passion for riding. Thunder Mountain HarleyDavidson, 4250 Byrd Drive, LV. www. thunderintherockies.com. SEPTEMBER 5 AND 6 Estes Park Alpaca Market A yearly showcase for alpacas and a market for alpaca and alpaca-related products. Estes Park Events Complex, 1209 Manford Ave., EP. 10am. www. visitestespark.com. SEPTEMBER 5 THROUGH 7 Windsor Harvest Festival The 93rd annual event includes a parade, vendors, food and fun. Event locations and start times vary. www. windsorharvestfest.com.

SEPTEMBER 5 THROUGH 7 Labor Day Arts and Crafts Show More than 100 booths feature a variety of handcrafted goods including paintings and drawings, jewelry, metal work and more. Bond Park, EP. Event times vary. www.visitestespark.com. THURSDAYS THROUGH NOVEMBER 5 A Best Start for Babies This series of 10 classes provides education and support for new parents to respond to their children in healthy and positive ways. Free transportation, dinner and childcare provided. The Community Life Center, 415 Mason Court, #1, FC. 5-8pm. 970-377-3388 or mkelsea@ecclc.org. SEPTEMBER 9 THROUGH NOVEMBER 18 Speaking of Spanish A fun and interactive Spanish class for adults. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. $40. First United Methodist Church, 533 Grant Ave., LV. Beginner Spanish – 12noon-2pm, Intermediate Spanish – 9-11am. 970-481-2818 or www.speakingofspanish.com.

SEPTEMBER 10 THROUGH 13 Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival Enjoy bagpipes and drums, Highland and Irish dancing, folk music, Celtic rock and more. Stanley Park, US Hwy. 36 and Community Drive, EP. 9am5pm. www.visitestespark.com. THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang This family friendly musical will take you on a fantastic adventure with an out-of-this-world car that flies through the air and sails the seas. Ticket prices and show times vary. Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 4747 Marketplace Drive, Johnstown. 970-744-3747 or www. coloradocandlelight.com. SEPTEMBER 11 THROUGH 13 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Built to Amaze An extraordinarily engineered circus experience where Children Of All Ages find out what it takes to build The Greatest Show On Earth. Ticket prices and show times vary. The Ranch, Larimer County Fairgrounds, 5280 Arena Circle, LV. 970-619-4122 or www. budweisereventscenter.com.

Hours of Operation: M-Th 8-5pm, Fri 8-4 Fort Collins (970) 493-7442

Loveland (970) 493-7442

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY

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Scrumptious Yarns and a fabulous staff to help you with all your knitting needs.

1408 West Mountain Ave. Fort Collins (970) 407-1461 mysisterknits.com Hours: Tues. 10 am to 8 pm , Wed. - Sat. 10 am to 5 pm .

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SEPTEMBER 11 THROUGH 14 Goodguys 18th Colorado Nationals This hot rod weekend features a giant car, live music, more. Ticket prices vary. The Ranch, Larimer County Fairgrounds, 5280 Arena Circle, LV. 8am. 970-8389876 or info@good-guys.com. SEPTEMBER 12 AND 13 Sustainable Living fair An energetic, solutions-based approach to building and enhancing community and making connections for a vibrant, healthy future. Ticket prices vary. Old Fort Collins Heritage Park, 112 Willow St., FC. 10am-7pm. www. sustainablelivingassociation.org. SEPTEMBER 12 AND 26 ReadCon This free event is a celebration of books and reading with activities for all ages, featuring reading recommendations, author signings, writing workshops, panel presentations, costume contests, book giveaways, more. Event locations and times vary. www.ReadCon.us. SEPTEMBER 18 AND 19 FORToberfest Fort Collins-style Oktoberfest street celebration with a twist. Downtown Fort Collins, Linden and Walnut Streets, FC. Festival times vary. 970-484-6500 or www.visitfortcollins.com. SEPTEMBER 23 AND 30 Messy Hands Art for Preschoolers Explore whimsical, original art forms and techniques including paint, collage, drawing and more. Ages 3 ½-6. Registration required. Harmony Library, Community Room (H), 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 10-11am .970-221-6740 or www.poudrelibraries.org. THURSDAYS, SEPTEMBER 24 THROUGH DECEMBER 10 Gallery 101 This fun and exciting 12-week program provides an interactive education and prepares you to become a museum tour guide. Prices vary. Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 5-7pm. 970-962-2410 or www. lovelandmuseumgallery.org.

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THROUGH OCTOBER 1 Youth Garden Tours Available to schools, homeschool groups, day cares, camps and youth groups. Seed-centric Tour, Tree-mendous Tour or Sensory-Based Garden Tour. $4/ child. Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. All tours last 90 minutes. 970-416-2486 or www.fcgov. com/gardens. OPEN SCHEDULE Scout Badge Program Customized activities such as cooking, gardening and natural resources for all ages. One adult required for every five scouts. $10/scout. Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. Year round scheduling for two hour classes. 970416-2486 or www.fcgov.com/gardens. YEAR ROUND AVAILABILITY Tree Trunk Activity Lessons For classroom, family or daycare. Arborthemed lessons about trees for Pre-Kmiddle school. Two arbor-themed kits available. Refundable deposit upon check out. Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 970-416-2486 or www.fcgov.com/gardens. Discovery Zone Root viewers, explorer tables, garden tools, tames and activities. Open to all ages. Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. Saturdays – 10am12noon, Sundays – 12noon-2pm. 970416-2486 or www.fcgov.com/gardens.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 Tiny Trekkers Join Larimer County naturalists for a program designed for your 2-5 year old and you. Registration required. Devil’s Backbone Open Space, Hwy 34, LV. 10am. 970-619-4565 www.larimer.org. TeaInk Enjoy tea, a snack and some creative writing challenges. No writing experience required, just an open mind. Grades 6-12. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 4-5pm. 970962-2548 or www.cityofloveland.org.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 Speaking of Spanish Demonstration Demonstration of this fun Spanish class for adults. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 6-8pm. www. speakingofspanish.com. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 Health Insurance Discussion Sessions To help people better understand how insurance works and how to get the most out of their coverage, Larimer Health Connect hosts free informal discussions to answer questions about health insurance coverage. Registration appreciated. UC Health - Poudre Valley Hospital, Cafe A, 1024 S. Lemay Ave., FC. 10am. 970-472-0444. Early Childhood Obesity Prevention presents: Family Style Dining in Childcare Learn the benefits of family style dining and how to implement it in your childcare center or home. Weld County Training Center, 1104 H St., GR. 6:308:30pm. 970-304-6420 or mschwan@ weldgov.com.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 Family Yoga Storytime Enjoy storytime with stretches, great moves, stories and music. Riverside Library, 3700 Golden St., EV. 10:30am. 888-861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.us. Rocky Mountain National Park Centennial – Re-Dedication Ceremony Celebrate Rocky Mountain National Park’s 100th Anniversary at the ReDedication Ceremony. Glacier Basin Campground, Rocky Mountain National Park, EP. 11am-1pm. 970-586-1203 or www.visitestespark.com.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 Yoga in The Gardens Embrace the natural setting of the botanical gardens in the Yoga in the Gardens summer series. Bring your own water and mat. $10. Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 8:30am. 970-416-2486 or www.fcgov.com/ gardens.

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Loveland Loves Origami Taught by Janet Deen, retired school teacher and member of Origami USA. Loveland Public Library, Children’s Study Room, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. Class times vary. www.cityofloveland.org. MakeIt Teens: Woodworking The Home Depot will help teens construct a wooden birdhouse and helicopter and paint/decorate it. Wear clothing appropriate for painting. Registration required. Riverside Library, 3700 Golden St., EV. 1pm, 888-8617323 or www.MyLibrary.us.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 Windsor Cruise in Car Show Register your car or simply attend this wonderful event. 7025 Eastman Park Drive, WS. 10am-2pm. www. windsorgov.com. Rist Canyon VFD Mountain Festival and Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction This scenic mountain event offers a wide range of activities for the whole family, including a live art auction, a well-stocked book tent, bake sale, silent auction, entertainment and food. 11835 Rist Canyon Blvd., Bellvue. 10am-4pm. www.visitfortcollins.com. LEGO A,B,C: Assemble, Build, Create Design, engineer and build with LEGO bricks. All supplies are provided at the library. Ages 5+. Old Town Library, Community Room Combo, 201 Peterson St., FC. 2-4pm. 970-221-6740 or www.poudrelibraries.org. Tribute to Santana With great passion and precision, Soul Sacrifice recreates the music of Santana. $15. Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Drive, FC. 7pm. 970-224-6033 or www.fcgov. com.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Pooch Plunge The dog days of summer are about to end and it’s your pooch’s chance to take a dip in the pool. $5. City Park, 1599 City Park Drive, FC. 4pm. 970-221-6358 or www.fcgov.com. 36

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 School Out Science Explore solar power. Meet outdoors weather permitting. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 11:30am-1pm. 970-962-2000 or www. lovelandpubliclibrary.org. Robotics An introduction to EV3 Robotics with hands-on building and programming in a non-competitive environment. Ages 8-17. Registration required. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 4-6pm. 970-962-2548 or www. lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 History Hike at Devil’s Backbone Join local author and tour guide Ken Jessen for a hike through the history of Devil’s Backbone Open Space. Registration required. Devil’s Backbone Open Space, Hwy 34, LV. 5pm. 970-6194565 or www.larimer.org. What to Do With Summer’s Harvest Cooking class taught by Mary Branom, RD. $10. North Colorado Medical Center, Cardiac Kitchen, 1801 16th St., GR. 6-7:30pm. 970-810-6633. Handmade Evening at the Library Learn basic sewing skills and create a Christmas stocking! Registration is required; five sewing machines available or bring your own machine. Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. 6:30pm, 888-861-7323 or www. MyLibrary.us. Rocky Mountain Raptors Say goodbye and hello to the raptor travelers. Council Tree Library, Community Room (C), 2733 Council Tree Ave. #200, FC. 6:30-7:30pm. 970221-6740 or www.poudrelibraries.org.

THRUSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 Do You Know More About Loveland History Than a 2nd Grader? Miss Johnson will teach you about school-life in the 1800s with lessons and discipline. Registration recommended. Lone Tree School, Northlake Park, LV. 5:30pm and 6:30pm. 970-962-2410 or www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 Night at the Museum: A Night of Fun with Build! A “learn and play” date combining history and the use of interlocking blocks. This night’s theme is Trains. Ages 6-12. Registration required. Greeley History Museum, 714 8th St., GR. 6:30pm-10:30am (Saturday). www. greeleymuseums.com. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 Fort Collins Comic Con Join comic book fans, the local business community, local artists and authors, and experts to teach panels, show off their wares at vendor booths and have fun. Adults - $20, kids - $10. Northside Aztlan Community Center, 112 Willow St., FC. 8am-8pm. www.fococomiccon.com. Nature’s Harvest Fest A one-day celebration of all things nature and harvest. $2/person suggested donation. Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 9am-3pm. 970-4162468 or www.fcgov.com/gardens. Water Works Open House This fascinating historical site is being transformed into an interpretive center for visitors to learn about the history of water development and use in Fort Collins. Water Works, 2005 N. Overland Trail, FC. 10am-3pm. 970-221-0533 or www.visitfortcollins.com. Pastels on 5th This sidewalk chalk art festival is a benefit for Alternatives to Violence and highlights one of Loveland’s most distinguishing features-its internationally renowned arts community. Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 10am-5pm. www.PastelsOn5th.org. Teens Create Duct Tape Crafts This special program will help you choose and create several different projects you can really use at home, on the go or at school. All materials provided. Grades 6-12. Registration Required. Council Tree Library, Community Room (C), 2733 Council Tree Ave. #200, FC. 1:30-3:30pm. 970221-6740 or www.poudrelibraries.org.

un F s ’ It shy l a r T a It’s cation Edu s ’ t I It’s the

Garbage Garage Larimer County’s waste & recycling education center at the Larimer County Landfill in Fort Collins

(970) 498-5772 larimer.org/solidwaste

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 Loveland Fall Classic Marathon, Half marathon and 5K A running event with marathon, half marathon and 5k distances. Prices vary. The Stanley Hotel, EP to Fountains of Loveland, LV. 5am-1pm. www. fallclassicmarathon.com. Buffalo Bicycle Classic The Buff Bike Classic is a scholarship fundraiser for promising, Coloradoresident students who demonstrate profound financial need. Registration costs and start times vary. Larimer County. www.buffalobicycleclassic.com.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 Paws to READ Therapy dogs sit quietly and calmly while children read aloud to them, allowing children to become more relaxed and confident about reading. Centennial Park Library, Children’s Arena, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. 6:307:30pm. 888-861-7323 or www. MyLibrary.us. TUESDAY, SEPEMBER 15 Hike the Backbone with Your FourLegged Friend You’ll learn about the geology, ecology and human history of the Devil’s Backbone area, as well as tips for keeping you and your dog safe on the trail during hot weather and rattlesnake season. Leashed dogs are welcome on this approximately two-hour hike. Registration required. Devil’s Backbone Open Space, Hwy 34, LV. 5:30pm. 970619-4565 or www.larimer.org. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 Henna-mazing Learn the history and culture of henna tattoos with Leah from Face Fiesta! Get hands-on instruction and practice in creating henna designs. For teens. Registration required. Lincoln Park Library, 919 7th St., GR. 5pm, 888-861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.us.

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NoCo Farmer’s Markets

Enjoy locally grown produce and other food-stuffs at through early fall. MONDAYS Larimer County Community Corrections Farmers’ Market Corn, green peppers, Jalapeno peppers, hot peppers, dill, pumpkin, basil, chives, cucumbers tomatoes, summer squash, zucchini, cilantro, onion and garlic. Just south of Prospect past Timberline Rd., 2255 Midpoint Drive, FC. 9am-1pm. www.larimer.org. TUESDAYS, THROUGH OCTOBER Loveland Farmers Market Vegetables, eggs, fruits, baked goods, meat, birdhouses, honey, specialty foods and goods. In front of Hobby Lobby, 3133 N. Garfield Ave., LV. 11am-3pm. www.fortcollinsfm.com. WEDNESDAYS Native Hill Weekly Farm Stand High-quality, naturally grown produce, bread, coffee. Beaver’s Market, 1100 W. Mountain Ave., FC. 4-7pm. www.nativehillfarm.com/markets. WEDNESDAYS, THROUGH OCTOBER Fort Collins Farmers Market Vegetables, fruits, plants and flowers, meats, eggs, honey, baked goods, pet treats, specialty foods and goods from 40 vendors. Parking lot of ACE Hardware, 1001 E. Harmony Road, FC. 11am-3pm. www.fortcollinsfm.com. WEDNESDAYS, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30 Greeley Farmer’s Market Locally grown and produced food products, including in-season fruits and vegetables, meats, cheese, honey, baked goods, roasted chiles and more. Union Pacific Depot, 902 7th Ave., GR. 3-6pm. 970-350-9783 or www.greeleygov.com/activities/ farmers-market. THURSDAYS, THROUGH OCTOBER 1 Estes Valley Farmers Market Produce, fruit, breads, cheeses, smoothies, flowers and more. 107 MacGregor Ave., EP (in Bond Park next to the public library). 8am1pm. www.facebook.com/ EstesValleyFarmersMarket.

THURSDAYS, THROUGH OCTOBER Wellington Farmers Market Baked goods, flowers, honey, sausage, jewelry, sauces, fruit, vegetables, birdhouses, coffee, desserts, pumpkins and skincare. 3815 Harrison Ave., Centennial Park, Wellington. 4-8pm (or dusk). www.wellingtoncofarmersmarket.org. SATURDAYS, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 26 Drake Road Farmers Market Vegetables, eggs, fruits, baked goods, meat, seafood, honey, specialty foods and goods from more than 40 vendors. 802 W. Drake Rd., FC. 10am-1pm. www.drakeroadfarmersmarket.com. SATURDAYS, THROUGH OCTOBER 24 Larimer County Farmers Market Breads and pastries, eggs and meat, fruits and vegetables, flowers, crafts and jewelry, jams and jellies, skin care, sauces and salsas, wine, yogurt and cheese. Larimer County Courthouse parking lot, 200 W. Oak St., FC. 8am-12noon. www.larimercounty farmersmarket.colostate.edu/index.shtml. SATURDAYS, THROUGH OCTOBER 31 Greeley Farmer’s Market Locally grown and produced food products, including in-season fruits and vegetables, meats, cheese, honey, baked goods, roasted chiles and more. Union Pacific Depot, 902 7th Ave., GR. 7:30am-12noon. 970350-9783 or www.greeleygov.com/activities/ farmers-market. SUNDAYS, THROUGH MID-NOVEMBER Fort Collins Farmers Market Vegetables, fruits, plants and flowers, meats, eggs, honey, baked goods, pet treats, specialty foods and goods from about 40 vendors. Parking lot of ACE Hardware, 1001 E. Harmony Road, FC. 11am-3pm. www.fortcollinsfm.com. SUNDAYS, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 27 City of Loveland Farmers Market Produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, packaged foods, wine, books and more from more than 40 vendors, plus live music. 700 S. Railroad Ave., LV (at the far north end of the old fairgrounds). 9am-1:30pm. www. cityofloveland.org/index.aspx?page=686.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 MakeIt: Luminous Wearables Make a variety of light-up wearables. Bring a t-shirt, scarf, bag or other wearable that you want to light up! Ages 10+. Registration required. Farr Regional Library, 1939 61st Ave., GR. 5pm, 888861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.us. Abundant Autumn Apples and InSeason Veggies Cooking class taught by Deanna O’Connell, RD. $10. Pathways Hospice, 305 Carpenter Rd., FC. 6-7:15pm. 970810-6633. Evening Family Storytime Attend this new event with the whole family. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 6:30-7:15pm. www. cityofloveland.org.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 Break of Reality This quartet’s boundary breaking music blends classical technique and rock’n’roll into something that brings together the best of both genres. Ticket prices vary. University Center for the Arts, Griffin Concert Hall, 1400 Remington St., FC. 7:30pm. www.lctix.com. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 The French Nest Open-Air Market Vintage, antique, artisan goods. Handmade and hand-collected. Music, delicious food, fun. Civic Center Park, 225 Laporte Ave., FC. 9am. www. frenchnestmarket.com.

888-861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.us. Movie Night: Stand and Deliver Edward James Olmos portrays the reallife Jaime Escalante, a no-nonsense mathematic teachers in a tough East Los Angeles high school (PG). Old Town Library, Community Room Combo, 201 Peterson St., FC. 5-7pm. 970-221-6740 or www.poudrelibraries.org. International Observe the Moon Night Telescopes will be provided or you may bring your own to observe the moon and other wonders of the night sky. Monfort Park, 2122 50th Ave., GR. 7:30pm. 888861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.us.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 Equinox Half Marathon and 5-Mile Run 4th Annual Event - Half Marathon running race starting at the Mishawaka. Prices vary. Poudre Canyon – Hwy 14, Larimer Co. 6am-1pm. www. equinoxhalfmarathon.com. Open Streets Experience public streets in ways other than driving. Remington St., FC. 10am. 970-224-6112 or www.fcgov.com.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Stress Balls With school in full swing, create this fun and de-stressing craft. Grades 6-12. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 4-5pm. 970-962-2548 or www.cityofloveland.org.

Tiny Yoga for Preschoolers Children’s yoga along with many other mind/body activities are incorporated into this fun class. Ages 3-5. Erie Library, Storytime Room, 400 Powers St., Erie. 10:30-11am. 888-861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.us.

Salsa Night at Your Library Whether you are an experienced Salsa dancer or a beginner, celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with this traditional dance form. Harmony Library, Community Room (H), 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 6:30-8:30pm. 970-221-6740 or www.poudrelibraries.org.

LEGO Community Build Help Action Works, a local nonprofit, assemble the First LEGO League (FLL) Trash Trek mission models from thousands of LEGO pieces. These models will be used for the First LEGO League Robotics Scrimmage in October and then travel on to FLL Qualifiers. Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. 2pm,

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 Free Admission day at the Loveland Museum/Gallery Enjoy the current main gallery art exhibition “Reveries: Anna Skibska” and the other exhibits for free. Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 10am-5pm. 970-962-2410 or www. lovelangmuseumgallery.org.

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Hike the Falls with Your Four-Legged Friend Learn about foothills ecology, as well as tips for keeping you and your dog safe on the trail during hot weather and rattlesnake season. Leashed dogs are welcome on this hike. Registration required. Program is free, but a $6 dayuse fee applies. Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, FC. 5:30pm. 970-619-4565 or www.larimer.org.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 Pajamarama Cuddle up in your PJs and enjoy sleepytime tales and tunes during this evening storytime. Ages 2 ½ -6. Carbon Valley Library, Storytime Room, 7 Park Ave., Firestone. 6:30-7:15pm. 720-6855117 or www.MyLibrary.us. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 A Wandering Botanist Plants have stories to tell. Their stories color and enrich our planet, and elicit poetry in humans. Farr Regional Library, 1939 61st Ave., GR. 12pm. 888-8617323 or www.MyLibrary.us. Adoption Info Night Learn more about adoption and find which program works for you. Palmer Gardens Shopping Center, 150 E. 29th St. Ste. 255, LV. 6-7pm. 970-663-6799 or brandi@nightlight.org.

PechaKucha Night Informal and fun gatherings in which creative people get together and share their ideas, works, thoughts and experiences (pretty much anything goes). Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 7pm. 970-962-2410 or www.lovelangmuseumgallery.org.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 School’s Out Teen Trip Laser Tag and Bowling. $50. Northside Aztlan Community Center, 112 E. Willow St., FC. 8am-5pm. 970-2216729 or www.fcgov.com. School’s Out Day Camp Pack a lunch and spend the day gardening, cooking, crafting and discovering. $45/child. Registration required. Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 9am-4pm. 970-4162486 or www.fcgov.com/gardens.

History Comes Alive – Clara Barton Clara pioneered the freedom for women to serve as wartime nurses, a once maleonly profession. Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 970-221-6740 or www.poudrelibraries.org.

Teen Hangout Watch movies, play board games or perhaps try out a new craft. Pizza will be served. Ages 13+. Clearview Library, 720 Third St., WS. 1-3pm. 970-686-5603 or www.clearviewlibrary.org.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 My Favorite Bands Festival A one-of-a-kind annual outdoor music festival, this event features Colorado’s best bands covering the greatest bands of all time. Historic Lincoln Park, GR. www.greeleydowntown.com.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 Lines of Zen – Introduction to Zentangle Learn this easy method of creating beautiful structural pattern with paper and pen. Grades 6-12. Registration required. Erie Community Library, Meeting Room, 400 Powers St., Erie. 4:30-5:30pm. 888-861-7323 or www. MyLibrary.us.

Traffic Skills 101 Bicycle safety and skills class for beginners, returning and seasoned cyclists alike. Registration required. Westbridge Medical Suites, 1107 S. Lemay Ave., FC. 8:30am4:30pm. www.fcgov.com/bicycling. Running of the Bulls A beautiful run/walk around Lake Estes to support Partners Mentoring Youth. $25. Lake Estes Marina, 1770 Big Thompson Ave., EP. 10am. 970-5779348 or www.visitestespark.com.

The Cat in the Hat With some tricks (and a fish) and Thing Two and Thing One, with the Cat in the Hat, the fun’s never done. $5. Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 6:30pm. 970-356-5000 or www.ucstars.com.

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time out

But I miss my kids!

Full days without the kids, blessing or curse? KATIE HARRIS

promised myself that I would not write about the kids going back to school for the September issue of a parenting magazine. So cliché. And yet, here I sit, having just dropped the kids off for their first day, and I’ve just realized that it would be impossible to think, let alone write, about anything else. So bear with me while I pour my heart out and unravel my emotions onto the last page of September RMParent. I’ll try not to let my tears smear the ink! Towards the end of summer there’s a phrase that starts to circulate among the mommy crowd, “I’m one of those rare moms who’s actually going to miss my kids.” The funny thing about it is, despite how rare these moms might feel, I hear this phrase from just about every mom I know, myself included. When I stop to think about it, I wonder where all these parents are who don’t miss their kids after they’ve headed back to school. For all the kisses, squeezes, and teary-eyed mothers wandering the school grounds confused and aimless after their kids have happily skipped into class leaving their parents in their dust, I’ve yet to see the mom who throws her fist in the air and cheers once her child has left her sight. Here’s the thing, there’s a part of me that is relieved to be writing in peace and quiet, flying through paragraphs without even a pause to break up an argument or fix a snack. I enjoyed listening to my radio station on the drive home this morning, after months of a song about grapes playing at full volume while two little Goldfish-stuffed mouths screeched the wrong lyrics from the backseat. And if I actually get a load of laundry folded AND put away today I might just cry for joy. In the car yesterday, while discussing our feelings about another approaching school year, my 6-year-old reminded me, 42

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“But mom, you said you wanted us to go back to school because we fight too much!” Ahh, dagger to the heart. Yes, there were those times over the summer when I threatened to drop them off at an empty school (they’re young enough to believe me); anything to make them stop tormenting each other. What can I say, I’m human! Hearing it from the mouth

My original assumption, that it would get easier each year, hasn’t panned out. Here I sit again, a hollowness in my stomach, anxiously checking the clock for 3:50pm to roll around. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone. In fact, I don’t think my feelings are that rare at all. I’m beginning to realize that there’s a spectrum when it comes to the first day

of my 1st grader struck home though. No, I’m not ready for them to be gone all day, for so many reasons. When the kids were younger, starting preschool for the first time, I wanted to protect them. It took everything in me not to crawl under their desks and stay for the day, just to make sure they were okay without me. Back then the first days of school were hard. I cried with worry, hoping they’d be able to navigate the preschool experience without me there to guide them. Now that they’re a little older, with a few years under their belts, I worry for another reason. Sure, they’ll be okay, but what about me? As they’ve grown they’ve become fun to be around. Helpful (most of the time), decent conversationalists, and great at making me laugh. What will I do without them all day?

of school, with dread and tearful goodbyes on the one side, and relief and excitement on the other. I think that as parents we all sit somewhere in the middle. This morning, I’m leaning more toward the crybaby side, but then again, it is sooo nice and quiet in my house right now. Where will another day, or week, or month leave me? Where on the spectrum are you right now, as you’re reading this? I say enough with the “rare parent” phrase. It’s time we banded together as moms and dads who love our kids and miss them when they’re away from us. It’s also time that we allow ourselves to admit that we all need that break once in awhile, and we’re good parents not in spite of that fact, but because of it. Cheers to you, fellow parents, we’re all in this together!

Excellent care for those you

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Board-Certified

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