Post on 25-Mar-2016
description
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Porter Industries Cleaning Critical Environments for over forty years
Medical center cleaning bull Surgery center ServiceScarpet cleaning bull WindoW WaShing
preSSure WaShing bull gMp cleanrooM cleaningoffice Building cleaning
5202 Granite Street bull LoveLand Co
18003525239wwwporterCLeanCom
5
66 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
THE VOICE OF NORTHERN COLORADO FOR
30 YEARSsty le media and design inc
| 9702266400 |w w w s t y l e m a g a z i n e c o l o r a d o c o m
w w w m e d i c a l a n d w e l l n e s s c o m
PUBLISHER Lydia Dody | lydiastylemediacomMANAGING EDITOR Angeline Grenz
angiestylemediacomCREATIVE DIRECTOR Scott Prosser
SENIOR DESIGNER Lisa GouldDIGITAL DIRECTOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Austin Lamb | austinstylemediacomADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVES
Jon Ainslie (970) 219-9226Lydia Dody (970) 227-6400Tanya Horn (970) 980-7936
David Knight (970) 619-9846Elaine Ryan (970) 541-4915
OFFICE MANAGERABOUT TOWN EDITOR Ina Szwec | inastylemediacom
ACCOUNTING MANAGER Karla VigilCIRCULATION MANAGER Trisha Milton
COPY EDITOR Corey Radman
PHOTOGRAPHER Marcus Edwards Photography
CONTRIBUTING WRITERSMalini Bartels Kyle Eustice Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Corey Radman Kay Rios Elissa Tivona Michelle Venus
AFFILIATIONSFort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce
Greeley Chamber of Commerce
2014 STYLE MAGAZINESJanuary-Northern Colorado Medical amp Wellness
Magazine and McKee Medical Center amp North Colorado Medical Center Medical Directory
February-StyleMarch-Northern Colorado Medical amp Wellness
April-StyleMay-StyleJune-Style
July-Northern Colorado Medical amp WellnessAugust-Style
September-Womenrsquos Health amp Breast CancerOctober-Northern Colorado Medical amp Wellness
November-Holiday StyleDecember-Best Of amp Winter Activities
Style Media and Design Inc magazines are free monthly publications direct-mailed to homes and businesses in Northern Colorado Elsewhere a one year subscription is $25year and a two year subscription is $45year Free magazines are available at nearly 300 locations throughout Northern Colorado
For ad rates subscription information change of address or correspondence contact Style Media and Design Inc 211 W Myrtle St Suite 200 Fort Collins Colorado 80521 Phone (970) 226-6400 ext 208 Fax (970) 226-6427 E-Mail inaStyleMediacom
copy2014 Style Media and Design Inc All rights reserved The entire contents of Style Magazine are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher Style Media and Design Inc is not responsible for unsolicited material All manuscripts artwork and photography must be accompanied by a SASE The views and opinions of any contributing writers are not necessarily those of Style Media amp Design Inc
7Style 2014
8 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
99Style 2014
WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM READERS SEND YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS TO
angiestylemediacomPhone 9702266400 ext215
Fax 9702266427wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
LOVE THE MAGAZINEI wanted to let you know that I read all of the
Style magazines and have admired the work you have done through the years
Edie BrownLoveland
I loved the [April] magazine Bravo bravo
Julie Sather-BrowneSatherrsquos Leading Jewelers
THANK YOUSThank you for your years of support ndash both to
National Day of Prayer and Hope Lives
Betsy Hoff
I wanted to take a few minutes to let you know how much we have enjoyed our advertisements in your magazine It has not only been a blast working on the vehicles and taking the photos but also hear-ing the stories behind the vehicles we use in our ads
Nelsenrsquos Auto Tech Center has been working on classics hotrods street rods and off road vehicles for years We have been in Fort Collins since 1947 working on both gasoline and diesel vehicles How-ever with Style running our advertisements and the article on the Nelsenrsquos Old Town Car Show people realize Nelsenrsquos really does work on ldquospecialtyrdquo vehicles as well
I believe that by having an advertisement in Style you have allowed us to let our community know Nelsenrsquos is a small yet vastly knowledgeable auto repair shop with a widely diversified staff We truly enjoy working on vehicles and having a personal relationship with our clients I suspect your team feels the same way when putting together the magazine
The feedback from the community has been great In fact some people cannot wait to see whose car will be in our ad next we have been asking our customers over the past several years if we could photograph their vehicles for our ads
It has been a pleasure working with your team We look forward to a long-term relationship with Style Magazine We hope to see the entire staff at the Nelsenrsquos Auto Tech Center Old Town Car Show this year mark your calendars it is Saturday September 6th Sincerely
Amy Reader OwnerNelsens Auto Tech Center
10 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
on the coverExperts say that the month of May is the best kept secret in the white wa-ter rafting universe and the Poudre is one of the best places in the nation to ride We have all the information you need to gear up for your next adven-ture Check out pg 40 of this issue
MAY 2014 STYLE WWWSTYLEMAGAZINECOLORADOCOM
about townA PHOTO TOUR OF NONPROFIT EVENTS 60
Diamonds Are Furever
Mardi Paws
Oceans Eleven
Sharin lsquoOrsquo the Green
Party for a Purpose
Masks Opening
Spring Gala
Beat Beethoven
featuresMUSIC OF THE HEART AND FOR THE MIND 18
PIANOS ABOUT TOWN 26
A DAY AT THE FARM 30STYLE FILES WHAT STYLE IS RAVING ABOUT THIS MONTH 14
TRAVEL A WEEKEND IN ESTES PARK 54
18 26
54
MAKE A POINT TO UNPLUG 34
LOVE SONG 44
PUBLISHERrsquoS LETTER 12
departmentsFROM OUR READERS 8
BUSINESS PROFILE THERMAL SHIELDS amp SHADES 16
RIVER RUNS WILD 40
FAMILY PET FURRY PORTRAITS FOR FOUR-LEGGED LOVED ONES 47
FAMILY WELLNESS VEGETARIAN VEGAN DIETS amp KIDS 50
47
30
FAMILY WELLNESS MOSQUITO DANGER 52
12 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Fun Filled Family Time
lydiastylemediacom
Publisherrsquos Letter
As we started the planning for this family focused issue my thoughts turned to my own family and how blessed I am I am fortunate that my mother aged 89 lives in Denver on her own She is in frail health but sharp as a tack She enjoys seeing family members and we spend time with her quite often My sister Ina lives in Fort Collins is on the Style team and takes the larger share of caretaking for my mom Irsquom so fortunate to have her nearby for her contributions to Style for her friendship and her help with Mom My daughter Meredith and her husband Josh graduated from Podiatry Medical School and have been living with me for the past year awaiting
a residency invitation They will be moving to Missouri this month where Meredith will start a three-year residency program I look forward to the day that they complete their education and come back to Northern Colorado to practice And my youngest daughter Ali lives and works in Denver so I enjoy seeing her often I genuinely treasure the times I spend with family Irsquove noticed that this appreciation has grown as Irsquove aged Thank you to my family for their love and on-going friendship and support
Speaking of appreciation another family that I value and appreciate so much is the Style family Our small team creates together argues together laughs together and supports each other It is such a talented and creative group of strong-minded individuals that take such pride in the work they do to provide you our reader with the magazine you read every month Each individual puts hisher heart into what they do and have a genuine desire to produce the best product for our Northern Colorado communities A giant thanks to each of them they are the ones who truly make the magazine possible
This issue is especially fun Can you just imagine the thrill and excitement of maneuvering the currents and rapids of the Cache la Poudre River Our Style team is planning a trip this summer Read ldquoRiver Runs Wildrdquo and make a raft trip part of your summer adventure
Another fun family activity to begin this summer is learning to play an instrument It wonrsquot cost much just lessons and a rental fee for your instrument and by the end of summer yoursquoll probably be playing a tune Read how incorporating music into your life enriches your spirit and ntellect in ldquoMusic of the Heart and For the Mindrdquo I regret that I never learned to play the piano but I imagine it can still happen
For the youngsters in the family learning about farm animals and experiencing agriculture can be a fun and educational outing Read ldquoA Day at the Farmrdquo to get some great tips on places that welcome kids
Sightseeing crafts and horseback riding are but a few of the myriad of activities available in our neighboring Estes Park If you havenrsquot recently explored this jewel in the mountains be sure to put it on your calendar this summer Estes Park suffered the ravages of the devastating flood in 2013 but it has recovered and is welcoming visitors Spend the weekend and enjoy hiking exploring shopping eating and taking in the lively music and festivals Be sure to read ldquoWeekend in Estesrdquo for some great ideas for a fun family weekend
Browse through this fun filled issue to pick up tips for your family and for showing off our special Northern Colorado region to visitors
And speaking of family I mustnrsquot forget to mention a very dear family close to my heart and that is the family of Hope Lives Women who belong to that family are breast cancer survivors and those battling this very challenging disease Once a year Hope Lives holds a Pink Boa 5k walkrun to celebrate survivorship and remember those who lost the battle Please join the sea of pink at Front Range Village on Harmony Road at 830am on Saturday June 7 Run walk or stroll with us as we rejoice and celebrate life There will be food prizes a Pretty in Pink pet contest music and joyful camaraderie Log on to hopelivesorg to register
Bring friends and we will see you there
1313Style 2014
1414 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Files24th Annual Estes Park Jazz Festival
The annual Estes Park Jazz Festival heralds the beginning of a summer of fun in our favorite mountain town This yearrsquos festival takes place on Saturday May 17 and Sunday May 18 from 12 to 5 pm at Performance Park At the free festival put on every year by the Town of Estes Park visitors can enjoy exploring unique galleries exhibiting exceptional art in addition to the jazz
This yearrsquos headliners are Sax Appeal a group featuring New York saxophone legends Javon Jackson Jimmy Heath Gary Bartz and Donald Harrison backed by The Ken Walker Trio They will take the stage on Sunday at 145 pm
Art Walk maps are available at the Jazz Festival in Performance Park and at the Cultural Art Council Fine Art Gallery at 423 W Elkhorn Ave Parking is available at no extra charge however space is limited Event organizers ask that you leave your dogs at home during the event (service dogs are the exception)
This year Snowy Peaks Winery offers guests wines made by a number of Colo-rados finest wineries including award-winning wines handcrafted on-site A variety of wines will be available for purchase both Saturday and Sunday (all outside alcohol is prohibited)
The Estes Park Jazz Festival has grown from its humble beginnings over two decades ago into a two-day event featuring the finest national and regional Jazz artists
signature event
support local
Who doesnrsquot love a farmersrsquo market Browsing through fresh local vegetables and fruit enjoying handmade treats buying artisan breads and pastries Local farmersrsquo markets are back on for the springsummer season starting in May
The CAMC Fort Collins amp Loveland Farmersrsquo Market opens this month at the following locations (wwwfortcollinsfmcom)
bull Fort Collins Sundays starting May 4 from 11 am to 3 pm in front of the Ace Hardware parking lot on Harmony and Lemay (May through November) A second day of farmersrsquo markets will begin at this location on Wednesday June 18 from 11 am to 3 pm (June through October)
bull Loveland Tuesdays starting May 6 from 11 am to 3 pm on Hwy 287 in front of Hobby Lobby at 3133 N Garfield (May through October)
The Larimer County Farmersrsquo Market held at the Larimer County Courthouse parking lot on Oak Street in Fort Collins opens May 17 from 8 am to noon (wwwlarimercountyfarmersmarketcolostateedu)
The Drake Road Farmersrsquo Market actually opened in April The market is held in the parking lot at the northwest corner of west Drake and Worthington Roads The market runs every Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm through the end of September (wwwdrakeroadfarmersmarketcom)
A second Loveland farmers market will be held at 700 S Railroad Avenue (at the far north end of Fairgrounds Park) every Sunday from 9 am to 130 pm beginning June 29 through September 28 (wwwcityoflovelandorg)
New this year is the Windsor Farmers Market opening Saturday June 28 The farmersrsquo market will run from 9 am to 1230 pm on 5th and Main Streets (wwwwindsorgovcom)
The 22nd Annual Greeley Farmersrsquo Market at the Depot 902 7th Street will open on Saturday May 17 from 730 am to noon A second day will be added Wednesday June 9 from 3 to 6 pm (wwwgreeleygovcom)
1515Style 2014
on the web now
Camping with Kids in the Poudre Canyon
By Corey Radman
Camping with children really isnt an oxymoron In fact its more fun than many of the fancy vacations our family has taken Theres something magical about spending days goofing by the river building rock towers and roasting marshmallows in the evening Intrigued but not sure how to tackle camp with your little kids Read on at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
For the full stories visit our website at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
Ideas Happen Here
By Malini Bartels
Creativity specialist Stephie Morton has been fostering originality in children for over 30 years Her workshop at 402 North College at the Arts Center of Fort Collins generates a unique and creative experience in an ldquoart fullrdquo environment In Mortonrsquos own words ldquoArt expressed as ideas and experienced as imaginative play makes a kind of magic that keeps the creative spirit aliverdquo Read more about Morton and her world of play online
TEDx Front Range returns on May 22 at the Rialto Theatre Center in Loveland Doors open at noon with the program beginning at 1 pm
TEDx is a nationwide series of events with the mission of communicating ldquoideas worth spreadingrdquo The format is a series of short talks demonstrations and performances designed to spark conversation
TEDx Front Range will feature a variety of local and national presenters discussing a large range of topics Tickets are available now at wwwtedxfrontrangecom
dont miss
1616 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kay Rios
Thermal Shades Control Energy Costs
Heat loss and heat gain are concerns for every home or business particularly in an area that enjoys so many days of sunshine The trick is to keep the heat out in the summer and prevent it from escaping during the winter Quality windows can help
along with putting up blinds drapes or anything that can block the heat transfer But with the addition of window coverings the view and natural light are often blocked
Rick Romano owner Thermal Shields amp Shades
business profile
Enter Thermal Shields amp Shades a Fort Col-lins business offering an energy efficient window insulator that can cut down on energy costs by reducing heating and cooling demands At the same time Thermal Shields wonrsquot obscure views or block incoming light
ldquoItrsquos like fine sunglasses for your windowsrdquo says Rick Romano Thermal Shields amp Shades owner
Thermal Shields are made of a polyester material based on a concept designed by NASA years ago ldquoThe material was being made for shades used in air traffic control towers It was a flat piece of film on a rollerrdquo
That didnrsquot quite do the job Romano says ldquoAfter a while it would curl and the sides were open to air infiltration We added our patented scoring system and our tracking system and eliminated those problemsrdquo The scoring system not only gives it a louvered look but it increases the tensile strength of the material
Thermal Shields are installed on the interior side of windows or glass areas and mounted in a patented wood track system so they glide easily to raise or lower as needed With the tracking Thermal Shields can be operated either manually or automatically with an electrical wall switch a handheld remote voice activation or a heat sensor
It can be retro-fitted to any window or sliding doors regardless of shape or size
ldquoThe space created behind the Thermal Shield acts as insulation During the winter it traps cold air behind the shield and the heat produced inside the house is reflected back into the room In the summer it reflects the sunrsquos heat back outsiderdquo Romano says The overall effect is a reduction in both air conditioning and heat requirements depending on the season In addition Thermal Shields greatly increase your comfort level
Thermal Shields can be used with any other window treatment or installed on its own he says It can be used in homes businesses greenhouses and sun spaces Romano installed Thermal Shields at the Colorado Welcome Center where 47 win-dows face the west There the air conditioning ran nonstop even in winter says Romano but after the shields were installed the ac need was cut drastically but the view was not obstructed
Another plus to Thermal Shields is that there are no toxic chemicals involved ldquoThousands of people are affected by multiple chemical sensitivityrdquo he says Because of that more people are building green homes He recently outfitted just such a home ldquoThere are no chemicals in the product no fire retardants and it will not support a flame
It will just melt with no toxic fumesrdquo Romano began making draperies 45 years ago
and for a time ran his own remodeling business He saw the struggle to control heat loss and gain and found a niche in the market He developed his patented product some 30 years ago and when he and his wife Toni left Buck County Penn to come to Colorado he brought it with him creating the family-owned operation here in 1984
Thermal Shields have been installed in 19 states and four countries including Alaska Mexico Canada and Japan ldquoWe get hits from all over the worldrdquo he says ldquoWersquore now working to build up dealers accross the US and just added one in Las Vegasrdquo
In addition to energy saving window treatments the business offers other custom made alternatives including shutters and awnings But with any of the products he offers his customer service pledge remains the same ldquoI wonrsquot just sell my customers a product I help them ascertain what they want to achieve Wersquore not just selling Thermal Shields wersquore providing benefitsrdquo
For more information call (970) 224-5716 email thshieldsmsncom or check the website
wwwthermalshieldscom
1717Style 2014
1625 Pelican Lakes Point Suite 201 | Windsor CO9706741100 | wwwwatervalleycom
Best food Best views
1818 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Music of the heart and for the Mind
Many would say itrsquos a life skill as necessary as learning how to ride a bike Knowing how to play an instrument is beneficial is a variety of ways and what better way to enrich the spirit than with music
Even President Obama who has achieved so much in his life told Barbara Walters in a 2011 interview that he regrets not having learned an instrument
By Malini Bartels
1919Style 2014
A tremendous amount of research has been done to uncover the neuroscience between brain functions and music Aside from the statistics and research music is without a doubt the universal language that unites people across barriers and beyond differences
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can actually improve academic performance There are a variety of methods to introduce music to children from the traditional classical to the more modern Finding what works best for your child and your family is an explorative process Luckily there is no shortage of options in Fort Collins with educators and performers spanning decades of experience and a multitude of resources and styles
Brad Cornick and his wife Jan started Hands on Music Academy 14 years ago in their Fort Collins home Overflowing with state-of-the-art equip-ment for recording playback and play-along their practical and unified approach to music instruction creates a fun and ldquorock starrdquo type environment for young musicians They incorporate rock bands in their music studio as a way to develop team building positive memories and group practice to achieve a common goal
ldquoWe have bands in the curriculum to bring people together with sound vibration communi-cation and lightrdquo says Brad Cornick ldquoItrsquos positive peer pressure and a great group activity Parents say their child practices more than ever when in the band Itrsquos not just about learning the music but performing it as well making friends and getting kids connected and on the same beatrdquo
The bands at Hands on Music bring students together to play music that they are familiar with It might be a classic Elvis tune that they have heard at home or a current pop hit from the radio By putting a positive spin on learning music it becomes fun and less stressful
ldquoParent involvement is key to a childrsquos successrdquo says Brad Both he and Jan stress that itrsquos important to have musical instruments in the central part of the home when children are young to avoid isolation
ldquoIt should be a family experience Introducing music to children at an early age teaches them how to engage and communicate with othersrdquo says Jan ldquoItrsquos a rich source for gaining confidence self esteem and overcoming shyness You donrsquot have to be the best to enjoy musicrdquo
Keeping music a central part of the family comes naturally for Gunter and Nicolette Bischof Shortly after moving to Fort Collins in 1995 the Bischofrsquos opened Philomusica a music school located at 2105 South College Avenue Grown from their love for the arts and natural ability to inspire people to explore music the Bischofrsquos focus on group les-sons at a very young age Philomusica begins early childhood classes from age 1 and up and teaches all age groups and abilities Even the Bischofrsquos son Nick is an instructor there specializing in trumpet piano and accordion They cater to families with children of different ages offering private lessons for one child simultaneously with group lessons for another A full list of classes can be found on wwwphilomusicacom
ldquoOur European approach is centered on the entire personality and human aspect of the child not just music instructionrdquo says Gunter ldquoMusic at
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can
actually improve academic performance
its core is one of the most divine tools to develop
a well-balanced human being Even the noblest
people from all over the world emphasize the knowledge of the
artsrdquoAll instructors at Philomusica apply a multi-
sensorial approach to teaching with the belief that a childrsquos life is improved enhanced and magnified with
the incorporation of music and movement with musicldquoChildren are sponges even when they canrsquot walkrdquo says
Nicolette ldquoParents should look at an education in music as an investment in the childrsquos life at a young agerdquoThe Bischofrsquos take pride in seeing families stay with them for
years and then watch the student graduate from high school and enter top universities colleges and even Broadway Everyone is encour-aged to foster a competitive edge with performance opportunities festivals and examinations Recently they expanded their facility to provide performance space
ldquoSometimes itrsquos just a matter of awakening the desire that is within someonerdquo chimes Gunter ldquoWe donrsquot just teach music we inspire creators leaders and thinkersrdquo Even the name of their studio says it all ndash philo and music meaning ldquolover of musicrdquo
Jephta Bernstein is a classically trained violinist with a passion for chamber music and music education She conducts afterschool and in-school programs at a variety of locations within the Poudre School District and coaches some students in small chamber music ensembles this gives students a chance to perform in a constructive environment with coaches and feedback
As the Executive Artistic Director and Founder of the non-profit PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Music she is currently in the process of assembling the third season of the annual Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival taking place in Fort Collins June 10-22 The festival blends music of today and yesterday in interactive and thought-provoking ways appealing to audience members of all ages and various walks of life
ldquoThe festival is wonderful for childrenrdquo notes Bernstein ldquoThey can see a story bloom from a piece of music learn how to listen intently to what they hear and hopefully take what they learn to their next experiencerdquo
The Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival primarily involves western classical music and is designed to take children of a certain skill level to the next level of inspiration with their music Family concerts creativity seminars and workshops are all a part of the experience and open for anyone to have an interactive encounter with classical music More information about the festival is found at wwwprojectchambermusicorg
ldquoI think music is the best activity you can get your kids involved in especially for grades Kindergarten to fifth graderdquo says Bernstein ldquoAll the connective body movement you do along with all the coordination is very brain-enriching Exposing yourself to new ideas and getting connected to others is keyrdquo
Malini Bartels is a freelance writer chef mother radio host and actress living the good life in Fort Collins
2020 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
2121Style 2014
Boomer Music Company3761 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2424wwwboomermusiccompanycom
The Academy of Guitar5616 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2466wwwacademyofguitarnet
Colorado Drum and Percussion256 Linden St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 416-0369wwwcoloradodrumcom
Spotlight Music Store4606 S Mason St Ft Collins CO 80525(970) 377-8066wwwspotlightmusicstorecom
The Piano Institute2839 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 206-4930wwwpianoinstitutellccom
Guitar Center813 E Harmony Rd Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 204-0220wwwguitarcentercom
The Repair Shop2321 E Mulberry St(970) 493-2806wwwtrshopusacom
Magnolia Music Studio210 W Magnolia St 10 Fort Collins CO 80521(970) 481-8661wwwmagnoliamusicstudiocom
Philomusica2105 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 419-8801wwwphilomusicacom
PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Musicwwwprojectchambermusicorg
Hands on Music Academy2856 Sitting Bull Way Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 207-9111
Foundation Music School3501 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 407-9084wwwfoundationmusicschoolorg
Sera Schoolswwwseraschoolscomlarimer-county
Murphy Violin Shop1819 W Prospect Rd Fort Collins CO 80526(970) 224-4865wwwmurphyviolinscom
Piano Center of the Rockies2721 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 282-9171wwwpianocenteroftherockiescom
Music Go Round2925 South College Avenue970-204-9262wwwmusicgoroundfortcollinscom
Fort Collins Music Teachers Associationwwwfcmtaorg
ResourceGuide forMusic bull Lessonsbull Tuningbull Purchasingin Fort Collins
22
23
Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument
bull Increases your IQ and the capacity of your memory
bull Refines time management and organizational skills
bull Relieves stress
bull Boosts team skills
bull Teaches perseverance
bull Enhances coordination
bull Betters mathematical ability
bull Improves reading and comprehension skills
bull Gives you a sense of achievement
bull Exposes you to cultural history
bull Sharpens concentration
bull Fosters self-expression
bull Creates a sense of achievement
bull Promotes social skills
bull Boosts listening skills
bull Teaches discipline
bull Elevates performance skills and reduces stage fright
bull Enhances respiratory system
bull Promotes happiness in your life and those around you
ndash Based on an article by Michael Matthews wwweffectivemusicteachingcom
24 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
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Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
5
66 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
THE VOICE OF NORTHERN COLORADO FOR
30 YEARSsty le media and design inc
| 9702266400 |w w w s t y l e m a g a z i n e c o l o r a d o c o m
w w w m e d i c a l a n d w e l l n e s s c o m
PUBLISHER Lydia Dody | lydiastylemediacomMANAGING EDITOR Angeline Grenz
angiestylemediacomCREATIVE DIRECTOR Scott Prosser
SENIOR DESIGNER Lisa GouldDIGITAL DIRECTOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Austin Lamb | austinstylemediacomADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVES
Jon Ainslie (970) 219-9226Lydia Dody (970) 227-6400Tanya Horn (970) 980-7936
David Knight (970) 619-9846Elaine Ryan (970) 541-4915
OFFICE MANAGERABOUT TOWN EDITOR Ina Szwec | inastylemediacom
ACCOUNTING MANAGER Karla VigilCIRCULATION MANAGER Trisha Milton
COPY EDITOR Corey Radman
PHOTOGRAPHER Marcus Edwards Photography
CONTRIBUTING WRITERSMalini Bartels Kyle Eustice Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Corey Radman Kay Rios Elissa Tivona Michelle Venus
AFFILIATIONSFort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce
Greeley Chamber of Commerce
2014 STYLE MAGAZINESJanuary-Northern Colorado Medical amp Wellness
Magazine and McKee Medical Center amp North Colorado Medical Center Medical Directory
February-StyleMarch-Northern Colorado Medical amp Wellness
April-StyleMay-StyleJune-Style
July-Northern Colorado Medical amp WellnessAugust-Style
September-Womenrsquos Health amp Breast CancerOctober-Northern Colorado Medical amp Wellness
November-Holiday StyleDecember-Best Of amp Winter Activities
Style Media and Design Inc magazines are free monthly publications direct-mailed to homes and businesses in Northern Colorado Elsewhere a one year subscription is $25year and a two year subscription is $45year Free magazines are available at nearly 300 locations throughout Northern Colorado
For ad rates subscription information change of address or correspondence contact Style Media and Design Inc 211 W Myrtle St Suite 200 Fort Collins Colorado 80521 Phone (970) 226-6400 ext 208 Fax (970) 226-6427 E-Mail inaStyleMediacom
copy2014 Style Media and Design Inc All rights reserved The entire contents of Style Magazine are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher Style Media and Design Inc is not responsible for unsolicited material All manuscripts artwork and photography must be accompanied by a SASE The views and opinions of any contributing writers are not necessarily those of Style Media amp Design Inc
7Style 2014
8 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
99Style 2014
WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM READERS SEND YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS TO
angiestylemediacomPhone 9702266400 ext215
Fax 9702266427wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
LOVE THE MAGAZINEI wanted to let you know that I read all of the
Style magazines and have admired the work you have done through the years
Edie BrownLoveland
I loved the [April] magazine Bravo bravo
Julie Sather-BrowneSatherrsquos Leading Jewelers
THANK YOUSThank you for your years of support ndash both to
National Day of Prayer and Hope Lives
Betsy Hoff
I wanted to take a few minutes to let you know how much we have enjoyed our advertisements in your magazine It has not only been a blast working on the vehicles and taking the photos but also hear-ing the stories behind the vehicles we use in our ads
Nelsenrsquos Auto Tech Center has been working on classics hotrods street rods and off road vehicles for years We have been in Fort Collins since 1947 working on both gasoline and diesel vehicles How-ever with Style running our advertisements and the article on the Nelsenrsquos Old Town Car Show people realize Nelsenrsquos really does work on ldquospecialtyrdquo vehicles as well
I believe that by having an advertisement in Style you have allowed us to let our community know Nelsenrsquos is a small yet vastly knowledgeable auto repair shop with a widely diversified staff We truly enjoy working on vehicles and having a personal relationship with our clients I suspect your team feels the same way when putting together the magazine
The feedback from the community has been great In fact some people cannot wait to see whose car will be in our ad next we have been asking our customers over the past several years if we could photograph their vehicles for our ads
It has been a pleasure working with your team We look forward to a long-term relationship with Style Magazine We hope to see the entire staff at the Nelsenrsquos Auto Tech Center Old Town Car Show this year mark your calendars it is Saturday September 6th Sincerely
Amy Reader OwnerNelsens Auto Tech Center
10 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
on the coverExperts say that the month of May is the best kept secret in the white wa-ter rafting universe and the Poudre is one of the best places in the nation to ride We have all the information you need to gear up for your next adven-ture Check out pg 40 of this issue
MAY 2014 STYLE WWWSTYLEMAGAZINECOLORADOCOM
about townA PHOTO TOUR OF NONPROFIT EVENTS 60
Diamonds Are Furever
Mardi Paws
Oceans Eleven
Sharin lsquoOrsquo the Green
Party for a Purpose
Masks Opening
Spring Gala
Beat Beethoven
featuresMUSIC OF THE HEART AND FOR THE MIND 18
PIANOS ABOUT TOWN 26
A DAY AT THE FARM 30STYLE FILES WHAT STYLE IS RAVING ABOUT THIS MONTH 14
TRAVEL A WEEKEND IN ESTES PARK 54
18 26
54
MAKE A POINT TO UNPLUG 34
LOVE SONG 44
PUBLISHERrsquoS LETTER 12
departmentsFROM OUR READERS 8
BUSINESS PROFILE THERMAL SHIELDS amp SHADES 16
RIVER RUNS WILD 40
FAMILY PET FURRY PORTRAITS FOR FOUR-LEGGED LOVED ONES 47
FAMILY WELLNESS VEGETARIAN VEGAN DIETS amp KIDS 50
47
30
FAMILY WELLNESS MOSQUITO DANGER 52
12 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Fun Filled Family Time
lydiastylemediacom
Publisherrsquos Letter
As we started the planning for this family focused issue my thoughts turned to my own family and how blessed I am I am fortunate that my mother aged 89 lives in Denver on her own She is in frail health but sharp as a tack She enjoys seeing family members and we spend time with her quite often My sister Ina lives in Fort Collins is on the Style team and takes the larger share of caretaking for my mom Irsquom so fortunate to have her nearby for her contributions to Style for her friendship and her help with Mom My daughter Meredith and her husband Josh graduated from Podiatry Medical School and have been living with me for the past year awaiting
a residency invitation They will be moving to Missouri this month where Meredith will start a three-year residency program I look forward to the day that they complete their education and come back to Northern Colorado to practice And my youngest daughter Ali lives and works in Denver so I enjoy seeing her often I genuinely treasure the times I spend with family Irsquove noticed that this appreciation has grown as Irsquove aged Thank you to my family for their love and on-going friendship and support
Speaking of appreciation another family that I value and appreciate so much is the Style family Our small team creates together argues together laughs together and supports each other It is such a talented and creative group of strong-minded individuals that take such pride in the work they do to provide you our reader with the magazine you read every month Each individual puts hisher heart into what they do and have a genuine desire to produce the best product for our Northern Colorado communities A giant thanks to each of them they are the ones who truly make the magazine possible
This issue is especially fun Can you just imagine the thrill and excitement of maneuvering the currents and rapids of the Cache la Poudre River Our Style team is planning a trip this summer Read ldquoRiver Runs Wildrdquo and make a raft trip part of your summer adventure
Another fun family activity to begin this summer is learning to play an instrument It wonrsquot cost much just lessons and a rental fee for your instrument and by the end of summer yoursquoll probably be playing a tune Read how incorporating music into your life enriches your spirit and ntellect in ldquoMusic of the Heart and For the Mindrdquo I regret that I never learned to play the piano but I imagine it can still happen
For the youngsters in the family learning about farm animals and experiencing agriculture can be a fun and educational outing Read ldquoA Day at the Farmrdquo to get some great tips on places that welcome kids
Sightseeing crafts and horseback riding are but a few of the myriad of activities available in our neighboring Estes Park If you havenrsquot recently explored this jewel in the mountains be sure to put it on your calendar this summer Estes Park suffered the ravages of the devastating flood in 2013 but it has recovered and is welcoming visitors Spend the weekend and enjoy hiking exploring shopping eating and taking in the lively music and festivals Be sure to read ldquoWeekend in Estesrdquo for some great ideas for a fun family weekend
Browse through this fun filled issue to pick up tips for your family and for showing off our special Northern Colorado region to visitors
And speaking of family I mustnrsquot forget to mention a very dear family close to my heart and that is the family of Hope Lives Women who belong to that family are breast cancer survivors and those battling this very challenging disease Once a year Hope Lives holds a Pink Boa 5k walkrun to celebrate survivorship and remember those who lost the battle Please join the sea of pink at Front Range Village on Harmony Road at 830am on Saturday June 7 Run walk or stroll with us as we rejoice and celebrate life There will be food prizes a Pretty in Pink pet contest music and joyful camaraderie Log on to hopelivesorg to register
Bring friends and we will see you there
1313Style 2014
1414 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Files24th Annual Estes Park Jazz Festival
The annual Estes Park Jazz Festival heralds the beginning of a summer of fun in our favorite mountain town This yearrsquos festival takes place on Saturday May 17 and Sunday May 18 from 12 to 5 pm at Performance Park At the free festival put on every year by the Town of Estes Park visitors can enjoy exploring unique galleries exhibiting exceptional art in addition to the jazz
This yearrsquos headliners are Sax Appeal a group featuring New York saxophone legends Javon Jackson Jimmy Heath Gary Bartz and Donald Harrison backed by The Ken Walker Trio They will take the stage on Sunday at 145 pm
Art Walk maps are available at the Jazz Festival in Performance Park and at the Cultural Art Council Fine Art Gallery at 423 W Elkhorn Ave Parking is available at no extra charge however space is limited Event organizers ask that you leave your dogs at home during the event (service dogs are the exception)
This year Snowy Peaks Winery offers guests wines made by a number of Colo-rados finest wineries including award-winning wines handcrafted on-site A variety of wines will be available for purchase both Saturday and Sunday (all outside alcohol is prohibited)
The Estes Park Jazz Festival has grown from its humble beginnings over two decades ago into a two-day event featuring the finest national and regional Jazz artists
signature event
support local
Who doesnrsquot love a farmersrsquo market Browsing through fresh local vegetables and fruit enjoying handmade treats buying artisan breads and pastries Local farmersrsquo markets are back on for the springsummer season starting in May
The CAMC Fort Collins amp Loveland Farmersrsquo Market opens this month at the following locations (wwwfortcollinsfmcom)
bull Fort Collins Sundays starting May 4 from 11 am to 3 pm in front of the Ace Hardware parking lot on Harmony and Lemay (May through November) A second day of farmersrsquo markets will begin at this location on Wednesday June 18 from 11 am to 3 pm (June through October)
bull Loveland Tuesdays starting May 6 from 11 am to 3 pm on Hwy 287 in front of Hobby Lobby at 3133 N Garfield (May through October)
The Larimer County Farmersrsquo Market held at the Larimer County Courthouse parking lot on Oak Street in Fort Collins opens May 17 from 8 am to noon (wwwlarimercountyfarmersmarketcolostateedu)
The Drake Road Farmersrsquo Market actually opened in April The market is held in the parking lot at the northwest corner of west Drake and Worthington Roads The market runs every Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm through the end of September (wwwdrakeroadfarmersmarketcom)
A second Loveland farmers market will be held at 700 S Railroad Avenue (at the far north end of Fairgrounds Park) every Sunday from 9 am to 130 pm beginning June 29 through September 28 (wwwcityoflovelandorg)
New this year is the Windsor Farmers Market opening Saturday June 28 The farmersrsquo market will run from 9 am to 1230 pm on 5th and Main Streets (wwwwindsorgovcom)
The 22nd Annual Greeley Farmersrsquo Market at the Depot 902 7th Street will open on Saturday May 17 from 730 am to noon A second day will be added Wednesday June 9 from 3 to 6 pm (wwwgreeleygovcom)
1515Style 2014
on the web now
Camping with Kids in the Poudre Canyon
By Corey Radman
Camping with children really isnt an oxymoron In fact its more fun than many of the fancy vacations our family has taken Theres something magical about spending days goofing by the river building rock towers and roasting marshmallows in the evening Intrigued but not sure how to tackle camp with your little kids Read on at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
For the full stories visit our website at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
Ideas Happen Here
By Malini Bartels
Creativity specialist Stephie Morton has been fostering originality in children for over 30 years Her workshop at 402 North College at the Arts Center of Fort Collins generates a unique and creative experience in an ldquoart fullrdquo environment In Mortonrsquos own words ldquoArt expressed as ideas and experienced as imaginative play makes a kind of magic that keeps the creative spirit aliverdquo Read more about Morton and her world of play online
TEDx Front Range returns on May 22 at the Rialto Theatre Center in Loveland Doors open at noon with the program beginning at 1 pm
TEDx is a nationwide series of events with the mission of communicating ldquoideas worth spreadingrdquo The format is a series of short talks demonstrations and performances designed to spark conversation
TEDx Front Range will feature a variety of local and national presenters discussing a large range of topics Tickets are available now at wwwtedxfrontrangecom
dont miss
1616 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kay Rios
Thermal Shades Control Energy Costs
Heat loss and heat gain are concerns for every home or business particularly in an area that enjoys so many days of sunshine The trick is to keep the heat out in the summer and prevent it from escaping during the winter Quality windows can help
along with putting up blinds drapes or anything that can block the heat transfer But with the addition of window coverings the view and natural light are often blocked
Rick Romano owner Thermal Shields amp Shades
business profile
Enter Thermal Shields amp Shades a Fort Col-lins business offering an energy efficient window insulator that can cut down on energy costs by reducing heating and cooling demands At the same time Thermal Shields wonrsquot obscure views or block incoming light
ldquoItrsquos like fine sunglasses for your windowsrdquo says Rick Romano Thermal Shields amp Shades owner
Thermal Shields are made of a polyester material based on a concept designed by NASA years ago ldquoThe material was being made for shades used in air traffic control towers It was a flat piece of film on a rollerrdquo
That didnrsquot quite do the job Romano says ldquoAfter a while it would curl and the sides were open to air infiltration We added our patented scoring system and our tracking system and eliminated those problemsrdquo The scoring system not only gives it a louvered look but it increases the tensile strength of the material
Thermal Shields are installed on the interior side of windows or glass areas and mounted in a patented wood track system so they glide easily to raise or lower as needed With the tracking Thermal Shields can be operated either manually or automatically with an electrical wall switch a handheld remote voice activation or a heat sensor
It can be retro-fitted to any window or sliding doors regardless of shape or size
ldquoThe space created behind the Thermal Shield acts as insulation During the winter it traps cold air behind the shield and the heat produced inside the house is reflected back into the room In the summer it reflects the sunrsquos heat back outsiderdquo Romano says The overall effect is a reduction in both air conditioning and heat requirements depending on the season In addition Thermal Shields greatly increase your comfort level
Thermal Shields can be used with any other window treatment or installed on its own he says It can be used in homes businesses greenhouses and sun spaces Romano installed Thermal Shields at the Colorado Welcome Center where 47 win-dows face the west There the air conditioning ran nonstop even in winter says Romano but after the shields were installed the ac need was cut drastically but the view was not obstructed
Another plus to Thermal Shields is that there are no toxic chemicals involved ldquoThousands of people are affected by multiple chemical sensitivityrdquo he says Because of that more people are building green homes He recently outfitted just such a home ldquoThere are no chemicals in the product no fire retardants and it will not support a flame
It will just melt with no toxic fumesrdquo Romano began making draperies 45 years ago
and for a time ran his own remodeling business He saw the struggle to control heat loss and gain and found a niche in the market He developed his patented product some 30 years ago and when he and his wife Toni left Buck County Penn to come to Colorado he brought it with him creating the family-owned operation here in 1984
Thermal Shields have been installed in 19 states and four countries including Alaska Mexico Canada and Japan ldquoWe get hits from all over the worldrdquo he says ldquoWersquore now working to build up dealers accross the US and just added one in Las Vegasrdquo
In addition to energy saving window treatments the business offers other custom made alternatives including shutters and awnings But with any of the products he offers his customer service pledge remains the same ldquoI wonrsquot just sell my customers a product I help them ascertain what they want to achieve Wersquore not just selling Thermal Shields wersquore providing benefitsrdquo
For more information call (970) 224-5716 email thshieldsmsncom or check the website
wwwthermalshieldscom
1717Style 2014
1625 Pelican Lakes Point Suite 201 | Windsor CO9706741100 | wwwwatervalleycom
Best food Best views
1818 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Music of the heart and for the Mind
Many would say itrsquos a life skill as necessary as learning how to ride a bike Knowing how to play an instrument is beneficial is a variety of ways and what better way to enrich the spirit than with music
Even President Obama who has achieved so much in his life told Barbara Walters in a 2011 interview that he regrets not having learned an instrument
By Malini Bartels
1919Style 2014
A tremendous amount of research has been done to uncover the neuroscience between brain functions and music Aside from the statistics and research music is without a doubt the universal language that unites people across barriers and beyond differences
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can actually improve academic performance There are a variety of methods to introduce music to children from the traditional classical to the more modern Finding what works best for your child and your family is an explorative process Luckily there is no shortage of options in Fort Collins with educators and performers spanning decades of experience and a multitude of resources and styles
Brad Cornick and his wife Jan started Hands on Music Academy 14 years ago in their Fort Collins home Overflowing with state-of-the-art equip-ment for recording playback and play-along their practical and unified approach to music instruction creates a fun and ldquorock starrdquo type environment for young musicians They incorporate rock bands in their music studio as a way to develop team building positive memories and group practice to achieve a common goal
ldquoWe have bands in the curriculum to bring people together with sound vibration communi-cation and lightrdquo says Brad Cornick ldquoItrsquos positive peer pressure and a great group activity Parents say their child practices more than ever when in the band Itrsquos not just about learning the music but performing it as well making friends and getting kids connected and on the same beatrdquo
The bands at Hands on Music bring students together to play music that they are familiar with It might be a classic Elvis tune that they have heard at home or a current pop hit from the radio By putting a positive spin on learning music it becomes fun and less stressful
ldquoParent involvement is key to a childrsquos successrdquo says Brad Both he and Jan stress that itrsquos important to have musical instruments in the central part of the home when children are young to avoid isolation
ldquoIt should be a family experience Introducing music to children at an early age teaches them how to engage and communicate with othersrdquo says Jan ldquoItrsquos a rich source for gaining confidence self esteem and overcoming shyness You donrsquot have to be the best to enjoy musicrdquo
Keeping music a central part of the family comes naturally for Gunter and Nicolette Bischof Shortly after moving to Fort Collins in 1995 the Bischofrsquos opened Philomusica a music school located at 2105 South College Avenue Grown from their love for the arts and natural ability to inspire people to explore music the Bischofrsquos focus on group les-sons at a very young age Philomusica begins early childhood classes from age 1 and up and teaches all age groups and abilities Even the Bischofrsquos son Nick is an instructor there specializing in trumpet piano and accordion They cater to families with children of different ages offering private lessons for one child simultaneously with group lessons for another A full list of classes can be found on wwwphilomusicacom
ldquoOur European approach is centered on the entire personality and human aspect of the child not just music instructionrdquo says Gunter ldquoMusic at
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can
actually improve academic performance
its core is one of the most divine tools to develop
a well-balanced human being Even the noblest
people from all over the world emphasize the knowledge of the
artsrdquoAll instructors at Philomusica apply a multi-
sensorial approach to teaching with the belief that a childrsquos life is improved enhanced and magnified with
the incorporation of music and movement with musicldquoChildren are sponges even when they canrsquot walkrdquo says
Nicolette ldquoParents should look at an education in music as an investment in the childrsquos life at a young agerdquoThe Bischofrsquos take pride in seeing families stay with them for
years and then watch the student graduate from high school and enter top universities colleges and even Broadway Everyone is encour-aged to foster a competitive edge with performance opportunities festivals and examinations Recently they expanded their facility to provide performance space
ldquoSometimes itrsquos just a matter of awakening the desire that is within someonerdquo chimes Gunter ldquoWe donrsquot just teach music we inspire creators leaders and thinkersrdquo Even the name of their studio says it all ndash philo and music meaning ldquolover of musicrdquo
Jephta Bernstein is a classically trained violinist with a passion for chamber music and music education She conducts afterschool and in-school programs at a variety of locations within the Poudre School District and coaches some students in small chamber music ensembles this gives students a chance to perform in a constructive environment with coaches and feedback
As the Executive Artistic Director and Founder of the non-profit PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Music she is currently in the process of assembling the third season of the annual Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival taking place in Fort Collins June 10-22 The festival blends music of today and yesterday in interactive and thought-provoking ways appealing to audience members of all ages and various walks of life
ldquoThe festival is wonderful for childrenrdquo notes Bernstein ldquoThey can see a story bloom from a piece of music learn how to listen intently to what they hear and hopefully take what they learn to their next experiencerdquo
The Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival primarily involves western classical music and is designed to take children of a certain skill level to the next level of inspiration with their music Family concerts creativity seminars and workshops are all a part of the experience and open for anyone to have an interactive encounter with classical music More information about the festival is found at wwwprojectchambermusicorg
ldquoI think music is the best activity you can get your kids involved in especially for grades Kindergarten to fifth graderdquo says Bernstein ldquoAll the connective body movement you do along with all the coordination is very brain-enriching Exposing yourself to new ideas and getting connected to others is keyrdquo
Malini Bartels is a freelance writer chef mother radio host and actress living the good life in Fort Collins
2020 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
2121Style 2014
Boomer Music Company3761 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2424wwwboomermusiccompanycom
The Academy of Guitar5616 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2466wwwacademyofguitarnet
Colorado Drum and Percussion256 Linden St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 416-0369wwwcoloradodrumcom
Spotlight Music Store4606 S Mason St Ft Collins CO 80525(970) 377-8066wwwspotlightmusicstorecom
The Piano Institute2839 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 206-4930wwwpianoinstitutellccom
Guitar Center813 E Harmony Rd Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 204-0220wwwguitarcentercom
The Repair Shop2321 E Mulberry St(970) 493-2806wwwtrshopusacom
Magnolia Music Studio210 W Magnolia St 10 Fort Collins CO 80521(970) 481-8661wwwmagnoliamusicstudiocom
Philomusica2105 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 419-8801wwwphilomusicacom
PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Musicwwwprojectchambermusicorg
Hands on Music Academy2856 Sitting Bull Way Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 207-9111
Foundation Music School3501 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 407-9084wwwfoundationmusicschoolorg
Sera Schoolswwwseraschoolscomlarimer-county
Murphy Violin Shop1819 W Prospect Rd Fort Collins CO 80526(970) 224-4865wwwmurphyviolinscom
Piano Center of the Rockies2721 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 282-9171wwwpianocenteroftherockiescom
Music Go Round2925 South College Avenue970-204-9262wwwmusicgoroundfortcollinscom
Fort Collins Music Teachers Associationwwwfcmtaorg
ResourceGuide forMusic bull Lessonsbull Tuningbull Purchasingin Fort Collins
22
23
Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument
bull Increases your IQ and the capacity of your memory
bull Refines time management and organizational skills
bull Relieves stress
bull Boosts team skills
bull Teaches perseverance
bull Enhances coordination
bull Betters mathematical ability
bull Improves reading and comprehension skills
bull Gives you a sense of achievement
bull Exposes you to cultural history
bull Sharpens concentration
bull Fosters self-expression
bull Creates a sense of achievement
bull Promotes social skills
bull Boosts listening skills
bull Teaches discipline
bull Elevates performance skills and reduces stage fright
bull Enhances respiratory system
bull Promotes happiness in your life and those around you
ndash Based on an article by Michael Matthews wwweffectivemusicteachingcom
24 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
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lutio
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2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
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Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
66 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
THE VOICE OF NORTHERN COLORADO FOR
30 YEARSsty le media and design inc
| 9702266400 |w w w s t y l e m a g a z i n e c o l o r a d o c o m
w w w m e d i c a l a n d w e l l n e s s c o m
PUBLISHER Lydia Dody | lydiastylemediacomMANAGING EDITOR Angeline Grenz
angiestylemediacomCREATIVE DIRECTOR Scott Prosser
SENIOR DESIGNER Lisa GouldDIGITAL DIRECTOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Austin Lamb | austinstylemediacomADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVES
Jon Ainslie (970) 219-9226Lydia Dody (970) 227-6400Tanya Horn (970) 980-7936
David Knight (970) 619-9846Elaine Ryan (970) 541-4915
OFFICE MANAGERABOUT TOWN EDITOR Ina Szwec | inastylemediacom
ACCOUNTING MANAGER Karla VigilCIRCULATION MANAGER Trisha Milton
COPY EDITOR Corey Radman
PHOTOGRAPHER Marcus Edwards Photography
CONTRIBUTING WRITERSMalini Bartels Kyle Eustice Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Corey Radman Kay Rios Elissa Tivona Michelle Venus
AFFILIATIONSFort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce
Greeley Chamber of Commerce
2014 STYLE MAGAZINESJanuary-Northern Colorado Medical amp Wellness
Magazine and McKee Medical Center amp North Colorado Medical Center Medical Directory
February-StyleMarch-Northern Colorado Medical amp Wellness
April-StyleMay-StyleJune-Style
July-Northern Colorado Medical amp WellnessAugust-Style
September-Womenrsquos Health amp Breast CancerOctober-Northern Colorado Medical amp Wellness
November-Holiday StyleDecember-Best Of amp Winter Activities
Style Media and Design Inc magazines are free monthly publications direct-mailed to homes and businesses in Northern Colorado Elsewhere a one year subscription is $25year and a two year subscription is $45year Free magazines are available at nearly 300 locations throughout Northern Colorado
For ad rates subscription information change of address or correspondence contact Style Media and Design Inc 211 W Myrtle St Suite 200 Fort Collins Colorado 80521 Phone (970) 226-6400 ext 208 Fax (970) 226-6427 E-Mail inaStyleMediacom
copy2014 Style Media and Design Inc All rights reserved The entire contents of Style Magazine are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher Style Media and Design Inc is not responsible for unsolicited material All manuscripts artwork and photography must be accompanied by a SASE The views and opinions of any contributing writers are not necessarily those of Style Media amp Design Inc
7Style 2014
8 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
99Style 2014
WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM READERS SEND YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS TO
angiestylemediacomPhone 9702266400 ext215
Fax 9702266427wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
LOVE THE MAGAZINEI wanted to let you know that I read all of the
Style magazines and have admired the work you have done through the years
Edie BrownLoveland
I loved the [April] magazine Bravo bravo
Julie Sather-BrowneSatherrsquos Leading Jewelers
THANK YOUSThank you for your years of support ndash both to
National Day of Prayer and Hope Lives
Betsy Hoff
I wanted to take a few minutes to let you know how much we have enjoyed our advertisements in your magazine It has not only been a blast working on the vehicles and taking the photos but also hear-ing the stories behind the vehicles we use in our ads
Nelsenrsquos Auto Tech Center has been working on classics hotrods street rods and off road vehicles for years We have been in Fort Collins since 1947 working on both gasoline and diesel vehicles How-ever with Style running our advertisements and the article on the Nelsenrsquos Old Town Car Show people realize Nelsenrsquos really does work on ldquospecialtyrdquo vehicles as well
I believe that by having an advertisement in Style you have allowed us to let our community know Nelsenrsquos is a small yet vastly knowledgeable auto repair shop with a widely diversified staff We truly enjoy working on vehicles and having a personal relationship with our clients I suspect your team feels the same way when putting together the magazine
The feedback from the community has been great In fact some people cannot wait to see whose car will be in our ad next we have been asking our customers over the past several years if we could photograph their vehicles for our ads
It has been a pleasure working with your team We look forward to a long-term relationship with Style Magazine We hope to see the entire staff at the Nelsenrsquos Auto Tech Center Old Town Car Show this year mark your calendars it is Saturday September 6th Sincerely
Amy Reader OwnerNelsens Auto Tech Center
10 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
on the coverExperts say that the month of May is the best kept secret in the white wa-ter rafting universe and the Poudre is one of the best places in the nation to ride We have all the information you need to gear up for your next adven-ture Check out pg 40 of this issue
MAY 2014 STYLE WWWSTYLEMAGAZINECOLORADOCOM
about townA PHOTO TOUR OF NONPROFIT EVENTS 60
Diamonds Are Furever
Mardi Paws
Oceans Eleven
Sharin lsquoOrsquo the Green
Party for a Purpose
Masks Opening
Spring Gala
Beat Beethoven
featuresMUSIC OF THE HEART AND FOR THE MIND 18
PIANOS ABOUT TOWN 26
A DAY AT THE FARM 30STYLE FILES WHAT STYLE IS RAVING ABOUT THIS MONTH 14
TRAVEL A WEEKEND IN ESTES PARK 54
18 26
54
MAKE A POINT TO UNPLUG 34
LOVE SONG 44
PUBLISHERrsquoS LETTER 12
departmentsFROM OUR READERS 8
BUSINESS PROFILE THERMAL SHIELDS amp SHADES 16
RIVER RUNS WILD 40
FAMILY PET FURRY PORTRAITS FOR FOUR-LEGGED LOVED ONES 47
FAMILY WELLNESS VEGETARIAN VEGAN DIETS amp KIDS 50
47
30
FAMILY WELLNESS MOSQUITO DANGER 52
12 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Fun Filled Family Time
lydiastylemediacom
Publisherrsquos Letter
As we started the planning for this family focused issue my thoughts turned to my own family and how blessed I am I am fortunate that my mother aged 89 lives in Denver on her own She is in frail health but sharp as a tack She enjoys seeing family members and we spend time with her quite often My sister Ina lives in Fort Collins is on the Style team and takes the larger share of caretaking for my mom Irsquom so fortunate to have her nearby for her contributions to Style for her friendship and her help with Mom My daughter Meredith and her husband Josh graduated from Podiatry Medical School and have been living with me for the past year awaiting
a residency invitation They will be moving to Missouri this month where Meredith will start a three-year residency program I look forward to the day that they complete their education and come back to Northern Colorado to practice And my youngest daughter Ali lives and works in Denver so I enjoy seeing her often I genuinely treasure the times I spend with family Irsquove noticed that this appreciation has grown as Irsquove aged Thank you to my family for their love and on-going friendship and support
Speaking of appreciation another family that I value and appreciate so much is the Style family Our small team creates together argues together laughs together and supports each other It is such a talented and creative group of strong-minded individuals that take such pride in the work they do to provide you our reader with the magazine you read every month Each individual puts hisher heart into what they do and have a genuine desire to produce the best product for our Northern Colorado communities A giant thanks to each of them they are the ones who truly make the magazine possible
This issue is especially fun Can you just imagine the thrill and excitement of maneuvering the currents and rapids of the Cache la Poudre River Our Style team is planning a trip this summer Read ldquoRiver Runs Wildrdquo and make a raft trip part of your summer adventure
Another fun family activity to begin this summer is learning to play an instrument It wonrsquot cost much just lessons and a rental fee for your instrument and by the end of summer yoursquoll probably be playing a tune Read how incorporating music into your life enriches your spirit and ntellect in ldquoMusic of the Heart and For the Mindrdquo I regret that I never learned to play the piano but I imagine it can still happen
For the youngsters in the family learning about farm animals and experiencing agriculture can be a fun and educational outing Read ldquoA Day at the Farmrdquo to get some great tips on places that welcome kids
Sightseeing crafts and horseback riding are but a few of the myriad of activities available in our neighboring Estes Park If you havenrsquot recently explored this jewel in the mountains be sure to put it on your calendar this summer Estes Park suffered the ravages of the devastating flood in 2013 but it has recovered and is welcoming visitors Spend the weekend and enjoy hiking exploring shopping eating and taking in the lively music and festivals Be sure to read ldquoWeekend in Estesrdquo for some great ideas for a fun family weekend
Browse through this fun filled issue to pick up tips for your family and for showing off our special Northern Colorado region to visitors
And speaking of family I mustnrsquot forget to mention a very dear family close to my heart and that is the family of Hope Lives Women who belong to that family are breast cancer survivors and those battling this very challenging disease Once a year Hope Lives holds a Pink Boa 5k walkrun to celebrate survivorship and remember those who lost the battle Please join the sea of pink at Front Range Village on Harmony Road at 830am on Saturday June 7 Run walk or stroll with us as we rejoice and celebrate life There will be food prizes a Pretty in Pink pet contest music and joyful camaraderie Log on to hopelivesorg to register
Bring friends and we will see you there
1313Style 2014
1414 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Files24th Annual Estes Park Jazz Festival
The annual Estes Park Jazz Festival heralds the beginning of a summer of fun in our favorite mountain town This yearrsquos festival takes place on Saturday May 17 and Sunday May 18 from 12 to 5 pm at Performance Park At the free festival put on every year by the Town of Estes Park visitors can enjoy exploring unique galleries exhibiting exceptional art in addition to the jazz
This yearrsquos headliners are Sax Appeal a group featuring New York saxophone legends Javon Jackson Jimmy Heath Gary Bartz and Donald Harrison backed by The Ken Walker Trio They will take the stage on Sunday at 145 pm
Art Walk maps are available at the Jazz Festival in Performance Park and at the Cultural Art Council Fine Art Gallery at 423 W Elkhorn Ave Parking is available at no extra charge however space is limited Event organizers ask that you leave your dogs at home during the event (service dogs are the exception)
This year Snowy Peaks Winery offers guests wines made by a number of Colo-rados finest wineries including award-winning wines handcrafted on-site A variety of wines will be available for purchase both Saturday and Sunday (all outside alcohol is prohibited)
The Estes Park Jazz Festival has grown from its humble beginnings over two decades ago into a two-day event featuring the finest national and regional Jazz artists
signature event
support local
Who doesnrsquot love a farmersrsquo market Browsing through fresh local vegetables and fruit enjoying handmade treats buying artisan breads and pastries Local farmersrsquo markets are back on for the springsummer season starting in May
The CAMC Fort Collins amp Loveland Farmersrsquo Market opens this month at the following locations (wwwfortcollinsfmcom)
bull Fort Collins Sundays starting May 4 from 11 am to 3 pm in front of the Ace Hardware parking lot on Harmony and Lemay (May through November) A second day of farmersrsquo markets will begin at this location on Wednesday June 18 from 11 am to 3 pm (June through October)
bull Loveland Tuesdays starting May 6 from 11 am to 3 pm on Hwy 287 in front of Hobby Lobby at 3133 N Garfield (May through October)
The Larimer County Farmersrsquo Market held at the Larimer County Courthouse parking lot on Oak Street in Fort Collins opens May 17 from 8 am to noon (wwwlarimercountyfarmersmarketcolostateedu)
The Drake Road Farmersrsquo Market actually opened in April The market is held in the parking lot at the northwest corner of west Drake and Worthington Roads The market runs every Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm through the end of September (wwwdrakeroadfarmersmarketcom)
A second Loveland farmers market will be held at 700 S Railroad Avenue (at the far north end of Fairgrounds Park) every Sunday from 9 am to 130 pm beginning June 29 through September 28 (wwwcityoflovelandorg)
New this year is the Windsor Farmers Market opening Saturday June 28 The farmersrsquo market will run from 9 am to 1230 pm on 5th and Main Streets (wwwwindsorgovcom)
The 22nd Annual Greeley Farmersrsquo Market at the Depot 902 7th Street will open on Saturday May 17 from 730 am to noon A second day will be added Wednesday June 9 from 3 to 6 pm (wwwgreeleygovcom)
1515Style 2014
on the web now
Camping with Kids in the Poudre Canyon
By Corey Radman
Camping with children really isnt an oxymoron In fact its more fun than many of the fancy vacations our family has taken Theres something magical about spending days goofing by the river building rock towers and roasting marshmallows in the evening Intrigued but not sure how to tackle camp with your little kids Read on at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
For the full stories visit our website at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
Ideas Happen Here
By Malini Bartels
Creativity specialist Stephie Morton has been fostering originality in children for over 30 years Her workshop at 402 North College at the Arts Center of Fort Collins generates a unique and creative experience in an ldquoart fullrdquo environment In Mortonrsquos own words ldquoArt expressed as ideas and experienced as imaginative play makes a kind of magic that keeps the creative spirit aliverdquo Read more about Morton and her world of play online
TEDx Front Range returns on May 22 at the Rialto Theatre Center in Loveland Doors open at noon with the program beginning at 1 pm
TEDx is a nationwide series of events with the mission of communicating ldquoideas worth spreadingrdquo The format is a series of short talks demonstrations and performances designed to spark conversation
TEDx Front Range will feature a variety of local and national presenters discussing a large range of topics Tickets are available now at wwwtedxfrontrangecom
dont miss
1616 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kay Rios
Thermal Shades Control Energy Costs
Heat loss and heat gain are concerns for every home or business particularly in an area that enjoys so many days of sunshine The trick is to keep the heat out in the summer and prevent it from escaping during the winter Quality windows can help
along with putting up blinds drapes or anything that can block the heat transfer But with the addition of window coverings the view and natural light are often blocked
Rick Romano owner Thermal Shields amp Shades
business profile
Enter Thermal Shields amp Shades a Fort Col-lins business offering an energy efficient window insulator that can cut down on energy costs by reducing heating and cooling demands At the same time Thermal Shields wonrsquot obscure views or block incoming light
ldquoItrsquos like fine sunglasses for your windowsrdquo says Rick Romano Thermal Shields amp Shades owner
Thermal Shields are made of a polyester material based on a concept designed by NASA years ago ldquoThe material was being made for shades used in air traffic control towers It was a flat piece of film on a rollerrdquo
That didnrsquot quite do the job Romano says ldquoAfter a while it would curl and the sides were open to air infiltration We added our patented scoring system and our tracking system and eliminated those problemsrdquo The scoring system not only gives it a louvered look but it increases the tensile strength of the material
Thermal Shields are installed on the interior side of windows or glass areas and mounted in a patented wood track system so they glide easily to raise or lower as needed With the tracking Thermal Shields can be operated either manually or automatically with an electrical wall switch a handheld remote voice activation or a heat sensor
It can be retro-fitted to any window or sliding doors regardless of shape or size
ldquoThe space created behind the Thermal Shield acts as insulation During the winter it traps cold air behind the shield and the heat produced inside the house is reflected back into the room In the summer it reflects the sunrsquos heat back outsiderdquo Romano says The overall effect is a reduction in both air conditioning and heat requirements depending on the season In addition Thermal Shields greatly increase your comfort level
Thermal Shields can be used with any other window treatment or installed on its own he says It can be used in homes businesses greenhouses and sun spaces Romano installed Thermal Shields at the Colorado Welcome Center where 47 win-dows face the west There the air conditioning ran nonstop even in winter says Romano but after the shields were installed the ac need was cut drastically but the view was not obstructed
Another plus to Thermal Shields is that there are no toxic chemicals involved ldquoThousands of people are affected by multiple chemical sensitivityrdquo he says Because of that more people are building green homes He recently outfitted just such a home ldquoThere are no chemicals in the product no fire retardants and it will not support a flame
It will just melt with no toxic fumesrdquo Romano began making draperies 45 years ago
and for a time ran his own remodeling business He saw the struggle to control heat loss and gain and found a niche in the market He developed his patented product some 30 years ago and when he and his wife Toni left Buck County Penn to come to Colorado he brought it with him creating the family-owned operation here in 1984
Thermal Shields have been installed in 19 states and four countries including Alaska Mexico Canada and Japan ldquoWe get hits from all over the worldrdquo he says ldquoWersquore now working to build up dealers accross the US and just added one in Las Vegasrdquo
In addition to energy saving window treatments the business offers other custom made alternatives including shutters and awnings But with any of the products he offers his customer service pledge remains the same ldquoI wonrsquot just sell my customers a product I help them ascertain what they want to achieve Wersquore not just selling Thermal Shields wersquore providing benefitsrdquo
For more information call (970) 224-5716 email thshieldsmsncom or check the website
wwwthermalshieldscom
1717Style 2014
1625 Pelican Lakes Point Suite 201 | Windsor CO9706741100 | wwwwatervalleycom
Best food Best views
1818 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Music of the heart and for the Mind
Many would say itrsquos a life skill as necessary as learning how to ride a bike Knowing how to play an instrument is beneficial is a variety of ways and what better way to enrich the spirit than with music
Even President Obama who has achieved so much in his life told Barbara Walters in a 2011 interview that he regrets not having learned an instrument
By Malini Bartels
1919Style 2014
A tremendous amount of research has been done to uncover the neuroscience between brain functions and music Aside from the statistics and research music is without a doubt the universal language that unites people across barriers and beyond differences
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can actually improve academic performance There are a variety of methods to introduce music to children from the traditional classical to the more modern Finding what works best for your child and your family is an explorative process Luckily there is no shortage of options in Fort Collins with educators and performers spanning decades of experience and a multitude of resources and styles
Brad Cornick and his wife Jan started Hands on Music Academy 14 years ago in their Fort Collins home Overflowing with state-of-the-art equip-ment for recording playback and play-along their practical and unified approach to music instruction creates a fun and ldquorock starrdquo type environment for young musicians They incorporate rock bands in their music studio as a way to develop team building positive memories and group practice to achieve a common goal
ldquoWe have bands in the curriculum to bring people together with sound vibration communi-cation and lightrdquo says Brad Cornick ldquoItrsquos positive peer pressure and a great group activity Parents say their child practices more than ever when in the band Itrsquos not just about learning the music but performing it as well making friends and getting kids connected and on the same beatrdquo
The bands at Hands on Music bring students together to play music that they are familiar with It might be a classic Elvis tune that they have heard at home or a current pop hit from the radio By putting a positive spin on learning music it becomes fun and less stressful
ldquoParent involvement is key to a childrsquos successrdquo says Brad Both he and Jan stress that itrsquos important to have musical instruments in the central part of the home when children are young to avoid isolation
ldquoIt should be a family experience Introducing music to children at an early age teaches them how to engage and communicate with othersrdquo says Jan ldquoItrsquos a rich source for gaining confidence self esteem and overcoming shyness You donrsquot have to be the best to enjoy musicrdquo
Keeping music a central part of the family comes naturally for Gunter and Nicolette Bischof Shortly after moving to Fort Collins in 1995 the Bischofrsquos opened Philomusica a music school located at 2105 South College Avenue Grown from their love for the arts and natural ability to inspire people to explore music the Bischofrsquos focus on group les-sons at a very young age Philomusica begins early childhood classes from age 1 and up and teaches all age groups and abilities Even the Bischofrsquos son Nick is an instructor there specializing in trumpet piano and accordion They cater to families with children of different ages offering private lessons for one child simultaneously with group lessons for another A full list of classes can be found on wwwphilomusicacom
ldquoOur European approach is centered on the entire personality and human aspect of the child not just music instructionrdquo says Gunter ldquoMusic at
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can
actually improve academic performance
its core is one of the most divine tools to develop
a well-balanced human being Even the noblest
people from all over the world emphasize the knowledge of the
artsrdquoAll instructors at Philomusica apply a multi-
sensorial approach to teaching with the belief that a childrsquos life is improved enhanced and magnified with
the incorporation of music and movement with musicldquoChildren are sponges even when they canrsquot walkrdquo says
Nicolette ldquoParents should look at an education in music as an investment in the childrsquos life at a young agerdquoThe Bischofrsquos take pride in seeing families stay with them for
years and then watch the student graduate from high school and enter top universities colleges and even Broadway Everyone is encour-aged to foster a competitive edge with performance opportunities festivals and examinations Recently they expanded their facility to provide performance space
ldquoSometimes itrsquos just a matter of awakening the desire that is within someonerdquo chimes Gunter ldquoWe donrsquot just teach music we inspire creators leaders and thinkersrdquo Even the name of their studio says it all ndash philo and music meaning ldquolover of musicrdquo
Jephta Bernstein is a classically trained violinist with a passion for chamber music and music education She conducts afterschool and in-school programs at a variety of locations within the Poudre School District and coaches some students in small chamber music ensembles this gives students a chance to perform in a constructive environment with coaches and feedback
As the Executive Artistic Director and Founder of the non-profit PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Music she is currently in the process of assembling the third season of the annual Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival taking place in Fort Collins June 10-22 The festival blends music of today and yesterday in interactive and thought-provoking ways appealing to audience members of all ages and various walks of life
ldquoThe festival is wonderful for childrenrdquo notes Bernstein ldquoThey can see a story bloom from a piece of music learn how to listen intently to what they hear and hopefully take what they learn to their next experiencerdquo
The Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival primarily involves western classical music and is designed to take children of a certain skill level to the next level of inspiration with their music Family concerts creativity seminars and workshops are all a part of the experience and open for anyone to have an interactive encounter with classical music More information about the festival is found at wwwprojectchambermusicorg
ldquoI think music is the best activity you can get your kids involved in especially for grades Kindergarten to fifth graderdquo says Bernstein ldquoAll the connective body movement you do along with all the coordination is very brain-enriching Exposing yourself to new ideas and getting connected to others is keyrdquo
Malini Bartels is a freelance writer chef mother radio host and actress living the good life in Fort Collins
2020 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
2121Style 2014
Boomer Music Company3761 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2424wwwboomermusiccompanycom
The Academy of Guitar5616 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2466wwwacademyofguitarnet
Colorado Drum and Percussion256 Linden St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 416-0369wwwcoloradodrumcom
Spotlight Music Store4606 S Mason St Ft Collins CO 80525(970) 377-8066wwwspotlightmusicstorecom
The Piano Institute2839 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 206-4930wwwpianoinstitutellccom
Guitar Center813 E Harmony Rd Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 204-0220wwwguitarcentercom
The Repair Shop2321 E Mulberry St(970) 493-2806wwwtrshopusacom
Magnolia Music Studio210 W Magnolia St 10 Fort Collins CO 80521(970) 481-8661wwwmagnoliamusicstudiocom
Philomusica2105 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 419-8801wwwphilomusicacom
PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Musicwwwprojectchambermusicorg
Hands on Music Academy2856 Sitting Bull Way Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 207-9111
Foundation Music School3501 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 407-9084wwwfoundationmusicschoolorg
Sera Schoolswwwseraschoolscomlarimer-county
Murphy Violin Shop1819 W Prospect Rd Fort Collins CO 80526(970) 224-4865wwwmurphyviolinscom
Piano Center of the Rockies2721 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 282-9171wwwpianocenteroftherockiescom
Music Go Round2925 South College Avenue970-204-9262wwwmusicgoroundfortcollinscom
Fort Collins Music Teachers Associationwwwfcmtaorg
ResourceGuide forMusic bull Lessonsbull Tuningbull Purchasingin Fort Collins
22
23
Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument
bull Increases your IQ and the capacity of your memory
bull Refines time management and organizational skills
bull Relieves stress
bull Boosts team skills
bull Teaches perseverance
bull Enhances coordination
bull Betters mathematical ability
bull Improves reading and comprehension skills
bull Gives you a sense of achievement
bull Exposes you to cultural history
bull Sharpens concentration
bull Fosters self-expression
bull Creates a sense of achievement
bull Promotes social skills
bull Boosts listening skills
bull Teaches discipline
bull Elevates performance skills and reduces stage fright
bull Enhances respiratory system
bull Promotes happiness in your life and those around you
ndash Based on an article by Michael Matthews wwweffectivemusicteachingcom
24 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
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Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
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A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
7Style 2014
8 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
99Style 2014
WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM READERS SEND YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS TO
angiestylemediacomPhone 9702266400 ext215
Fax 9702266427wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
LOVE THE MAGAZINEI wanted to let you know that I read all of the
Style magazines and have admired the work you have done through the years
Edie BrownLoveland
I loved the [April] magazine Bravo bravo
Julie Sather-BrowneSatherrsquos Leading Jewelers
THANK YOUSThank you for your years of support ndash both to
National Day of Prayer and Hope Lives
Betsy Hoff
I wanted to take a few minutes to let you know how much we have enjoyed our advertisements in your magazine It has not only been a blast working on the vehicles and taking the photos but also hear-ing the stories behind the vehicles we use in our ads
Nelsenrsquos Auto Tech Center has been working on classics hotrods street rods and off road vehicles for years We have been in Fort Collins since 1947 working on both gasoline and diesel vehicles How-ever with Style running our advertisements and the article on the Nelsenrsquos Old Town Car Show people realize Nelsenrsquos really does work on ldquospecialtyrdquo vehicles as well
I believe that by having an advertisement in Style you have allowed us to let our community know Nelsenrsquos is a small yet vastly knowledgeable auto repair shop with a widely diversified staff We truly enjoy working on vehicles and having a personal relationship with our clients I suspect your team feels the same way when putting together the magazine
The feedback from the community has been great In fact some people cannot wait to see whose car will be in our ad next we have been asking our customers over the past several years if we could photograph their vehicles for our ads
It has been a pleasure working with your team We look forward to a long-term relationship with Style Magazine We hope to see the entire staff at the Nelsenrsquos Auto Tech Center Old Town Car Show this year mark your calendars it is Saturday September 6th Sincerely
Amy Reader OwnerNelsens Auto Tech Center
10 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
on the coverExperts say that the month of May is the best kept secret in the white wa-ter rafting universe and the Poudre is one of the best places in the nation to ride We have all the information you need to gear up for your next adven-ture Check out pg 40 of this issue
MAY 2014 STYLE WWWSTYLEMAGAZINECOLORADOCOM
about townA PHOTO TOUR OF NONPROFIT EVENTS 60
Diamonds Are Furever
Mardi Paws
Oceans Eleven
Sharin lsquoOrsquo the Green
Party for a Purpose
Masks Opening
Spring Gala
Beat Beethoven
featuresMUSIC OF THE HEART AND FOR THE MIND 18
PIANOS ABOUT TOWN 26
A DAY AT THE FARM 30STYLE FILES WHAT STYLE IS RAVING ABOUT THIS MONTH 14
TRAVEL A WEEKEND IN ESTES PARK 54
18 26
54
MAKE A POINT TO UNPLUG 34
LOVE SONG 44
PUBLISHERrsquoS LETTER 12
departmentsFROM OUR READERS 8
BUSINESS PROFILE THERMAL SHIELDS amp SHADES 16
RIVER RUNS WILD 40
FAMILY PET FURRY PORTRAITS FOR FOUR-LEGGED LOVED ONES 47
FAMILY WELLNESS VEGETARIAN VEGAN DIETS amp KIDS 50
47
30
FAMILY WELLNESS MOSQUITO DANGER 52
12 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Fun Filled Family Time
lydiastylemediacom
Publisherrsquos Letter
As we started the planning for this family focused issue my thoughts turned to my own family and how blessed I am I am fortunate that my mother aged 89 lives in Denver on her own She is in frail health but sharp as a tack She enjoys seeing family members and we spend time with her quite often My sister Ina lives in Fort Collins is on the Style team and takes the larger share of caretaking for my mom Irsquom so fortunate to have her nearby for her contributions to Style for her friendship and her help with Mom My daughter Meredith and her husband Josh graduated from Podiatry Medical School and have been living with me for the past year awaiting
a residency invitation They will be moving to Missouri this month where Meredith will start a three-year residency program I look forward to the day that they complete their education and come back to Northern Colorado to practice And my youngest daughter Ali lives and works in Denver so I enjoy seeing her often I genuinely treasure the times I spend with family Irsquove noticed that this appreciation has grown as Irsquove aged Thank you to my family for their love and on-going friendship and support
Speaking of appreciation another family that I value and appreciate so much is the Style family Our small team creates together argues together laughs together and supports each other It is such a talented and creative group of strong-minded individuals that take such pride in the work they do to provide you our reader with the magazine you read every month Each individual puts hisher heart into what they do and have a genuine desire to produce the best product for our Northern Colorado communities A giant thanks to each of them they are the ones who truly make the magazine possible
This issue is especially fun Can you just imagine the thrill and excitement of maneuvering the currents and rapids of the Cache la Poudre River Our Style team is planning a trip this summer Read ldquoRiver Runs Wildrdquo and make a raft trip part of your summer adventure
Another fun family activity to begin this summer is learning to play an instrument It wonrsquot cost much just lessons and a rental fee for your instrument and by the end of summer yoursquoll probably be playing a tune Read how incorporating music into your life enriches your spirit and ntellect in ldquoMusic of the Heart and For the Mindrdquo I regret that I never learned to play the piano but I imagine it can still happen
For the youngsters in the family learning about farm animals and experiencing agriculture can be a fun and educational outing Read ldquoA Day at the Farmrdquo to get some great tips on places that welcome kids
Sightseeing crafts and horseback riding are but a few of the myriad of activities available in our neighboring Estes Park If you havenrsquot recently explored this jewel in the mountains be sure to put it on your calendar this summer Estes Park suffered the ravages of the devastating flood in 2013 but it has recovered and is welcoming visitors Spend the weekend and enjoy hiking exploring shopping eating and taking in the lively music and festivals Be sure to read ldquoWeekend in Estesrdquo for some great ideas for a fun family weekend
Browse through this fun filled issue to pick up tips for your family and for showing off our special Northern Colorado region to visitors
And speaking of family I mustnrsquot forget to mention a very dear family close to my heart and that is the family of Hope Lives Women who belong to that family are breast cancer survivors and those battling this very challenging disease Once a year Hope Lives holds a Pink Boa 5k walkrun to celebrate survivorship and remember those who lost the battle Please join the sea of pink at Front Range Village on Harmony Road at 830am on Saturday June 7 Run walk or stroll with us as we rejoice and celebrate life There will be food prizes a Pretty in Pink pet contest music and joyful camaraderie Log on to hopelivesorg to register
Bring friends and we will see you there
1313Style 2014
1414 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Files24th Annual Estes Park Jazz Festival
The annual Estes Park Jazz Festival heralds the beginning of a summer of fun in our favorite mountain town This yearrsquos festival takes place on Saturday May 17 and Sunday May 18 from 12 to 5 pm at Performance Park At the free festival put on every year by the Town of Estes Park visitors can enjoy exploring unique galleries exhibiting exceptional art in addition to the jazz
This yearrsquos headliners are Sax Appeal a group featuring New York saxophone legends Javon Jackson Jimmy Heath Gary Bartz and Donald Harrison backed by The Ken Walker Trio They will take the stage on Sunday at 145 pm
Art Walk maps are available at the Jazz Festival in Performance Park and at the Cultural Art Council Fine Art Gallery at 423 W Elkhorn Ave Parking is available at no extra charge however space is limited Event organizers ask that you leave your dogs at home during the event (service dogs are the exception)
This year Snowy Peaks Winery offers guests wines made by a number of Colo-rados finest wineries including award-winning wines handcrafted on-site A variety of wines will be available for purchase both Saturday and Sunday (all outside alcohol is prohibited)
The Estes Park Jazz Festival has grown from its humble beginnings over two decades ago into a two-day event featuring the finest national and regional Jazz artists
signature event
support local
Who doesnrsquot love a farmersrsquo market Browsing through fresh local vegetables and fruit enjoying handmade treats buying artisan breads and pastries Local farmersrsquo markets are back on for the springsummer season starting in May
The CAMC Fort Collins amp Loveland Farmersrsquo Market opens this month at the following locations (wwwfortcollinsfmcom)
bull Fort Collins Sundays starting May 4 from 11 am to 3 pm in front of the Ace Hardware parking lot on Harmony and Lemay (May through November) A second day of farmersrsquo markets will begin at this location on Wednesday June 18 from 11 am to 3 pm (June through October)
bull Loveland Tuesdays starting May 6 from 11 am to 3 pm on Hwy 287 in front of Hobby Lobby at 3133 N Garfield (May through October)
The Larimer County Farmersrsquo Market held at the Larimer County Courthouse parking lot on Oak Street in Fort Collins opens May 17 from 8 am to noon (wwwlarimercountyfarmersmarketcolostateedu)
The Drake Road Farmersrsquo Market actually opened in April The market is held in the parking lot at the northwest corner of west Drake and Worthington Roads The market runs every Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm through the end of September (wwwdrakeroadfarmersmarketcom)
A second Loveland farmers market will be held at 700 S Railroad Avenue (at the far north end of Fairgrounds Park) every Sunday from 9 am to 130 pm beginning June 29 through September 28 (wwwcityoflovelandorg)
New this year is the Windsor Farmers Market opening Saturday June 28 The farmersrsquo market will run from 9 am to 1230 pm on 5th and Main Streets (wwwwindsorgovcom)
The 22nd Annual Greeley Farmersrsquo Market at the Depot 902 7th Street will open on Saturday May 17 from 730 am to noon A second day will be added Wednesday June 9 from 3 to 6 pm (wwwgreeleygovcom)
1515Style 2014
on the web now
Camping with Kids in the Poudre Canyon
By Corey Radman
Camping with children really isnt an oxymoron In fact its more fun than many of the fancy vacations our family has taken Theres something magical about spending days goofing by the river building rock towers and roasting marshmallows in the evening Intrigued but not sure how to tackle camp with your little kids Read on at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
For the full stories visit our website at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
Ideas Happen Here
By Malini Bartels
Creativity specialist Stephie Morton has been fostering originality in children for over 30 years Her workshop at 402 North College at the Arts Center of Fort Collins generates a unique and creative experience in an ldquoart fullrdquo environment In Mortonrsquos own words ldquoArt expressed as ideas and experienced as imaginative play makes a kind of magic that keeps the creative spirit aliverdquo Read more about Morton and her world of play online
TEDx Front Range returns on May 22 at the Rialto Theatre Center in Loveland Doors open at noon with the program beginning at 1 pm
TEDx is a nationwide series of events with the mission of communicating ldquoideas worth spreadingrdquo The format is a series of short talks demonstrations and performances designed to spark conversation
TEDx Front Range will feature a variety of local and national presenters discussing a large range of topics Tickets are available now at wwwtedxfrontrangecom
dont miss
1616 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kay Rios
Thermal Shades Control Energy Costs
Heat loss and heat gain are concerns for every home or business particularly in an area that enjoys so many days of sunshine The trick is to keep the heat out in the summer and prevent it from escaping during the winter Quality windows can help
along with putting up blinds drapes or anything that can block the heat transfer But with the addition of window coverings the view and natural light are often blocked
Rick Romano owner Thermal Shields amp Shades
business profile
Enter Thermal Shields amp Shades a Fort Col-lins business offering an energy efficient window insulator that can cut down on energy costs by reducing heating and cooling demands At the same time Thermal Shields wonrsquot obscure views or block incoming light
ldquoItrsquos like fine sunglasses for your windowsrdquo says Rick Romano Thermal Shields amp Shades owner
Thermal Shields are made of a polyester material based on a concept designed by NASA years ago ldquoThe material was being made for shades used in air traffic control towers It was a flat piece of film on a rollerrdquo
That didnrsquot quite do the job Romano says ldquoAfter a while it would curl and the sides were open to air infiltration We added our patented scoring system and our tracking system and eliminated those problemsrdquo The scoring system not only gives it a louvered look but it increases the tensile strength of the material
Thermal Shields are installed on the interior side of windows or glass areas and mounted in a patented wood track system so they glide easily to raise or lower as needed With the tracking Thermal Shields can be operated either manually or automatically with an electrical wall switch a handheld remote voice activation or a heat sensor
It can be retro-fitted to any window or sliding doors regardless of shape or size
ldquoThe space created behind the Thermal Shield acts as insulation During the winter it traps cold air behind the shield and the heat produced inside the house is reflected back into the room In the summer it reflects the sunrsquos heat back outsiderdquo Romano says The overall effect is a reduction in both air conditioning and heat requirements depending on the season In addition Thermal Shields greatly increase your comfort level
Thermal Shields can be used with any other window treatment or installed on its own he says It can be used in homes businesses greenhouses and sun spaces Romano installed Thermal Shields at the Colorado Welcome Center where 47 win-dows face the west There the air conditioning ran nonstop even in winter says Romano but after the shields were installed the ac need was cut drastically but the view was not obstructed
Another plus to Thermal Shields is that there are no toxic chemicals involved ldquoThousands of people are affected by multiple chemical sensitivityrdquo he says Because of that more people are building green homes He recently outfitted just such a home ldquoThere are no chemicals in the product no fire retardants and it will not support a flame
It will just melt with no toxic fumesrdquo Romano began making draperies 45 years ago
and for a time ran his own remodeling business He saw the struggle to control heat loss and gain and found a niche in the market He developed his patented product some 30 years ago and when he and his wife Toni left Buck County Penn to come to Colorado he brought it with him creating the family-owned operation here in 1984
Thermal Shields have been installed in 19 states and four countries including Alaska Mexico Canada and Japan ldquoWe get hits from all over the worldrdquo he says ldquoWersquore now working to build up dealers accross the US and just added one in Las Vegasrdquo
In addition to energy saving window treatments the business offers other custom made alternatives including shutters and awnings But with any of the products he offers his customer service pledge remains the same ldquoI wonrsquot just sell my customers a product I help them ascertain what they want to achieve Wersquore not just selling Thermal Shields wersquore providing benefitsrdquo
For more information call (970) 224-5716 email thshieldsmsncom or check the website
wwwthermalshieldscom
1717Style 2014
1625 Pelican Lakes Point Suite 201 | Windsor CO9706741100 | wwwwatervalleycom
Best food Best views
1818 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Music of the heart and for the Mind
Many would say itrsquos a life skill as necessary as learning how to ride a bike Knowing how to play an instrument is beneficial is a variety of ways and what better way to enrich the spirit than with music
Even President Obama who has achieved so much in his life told Barbara Walters in a 2011 interview that he regrets not having learned an instrument
By Malini Bartels
1919Style 2014
A tremendous amount of research has been done to uncover the neuroscience between brain functions and music Aside from the statistics and research music is without a doubt the universal language that unites people across barriers and beyond differences
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can actually improve academic performance There are a variety of methods to introduce music to children from the traditional classical to the more modern Finding what works best for your child and your family is an explorative process Luckily there is no shortage of options in Fort Collins with educators and performers spanning decades of experience and a multitude of resources and styles
Brad Cornick and his wife Jan started Hands on Music Academy 14 years ago in their Fort Collins home Overflowing with state-of-the-art equip-ment for recording playback and play-along their practical and unified approach to music instruction creates a fun and ldquorock starrdquo type environment for young musicians They incorporate rock bands in their music studio as a way to develop team building positive memories and group practice to achieve a common goal
ldquoWe have bands in the curriculum to bring people together with sound vibration communi-cation and lightrdquo says Brad Cornick ldquoItrsquos positive peer pressure and a great group activity Parents say their child practices more than ever when in the band Itrsquos not just about learning the music but performing it as well making friends and getting kids connected and on the same beatrdquo
The bands at Hands on Music bring students together to play music that they are familiar with It might be a classic Elvis tune that they have heard at home or a current pop hit from the radio By putting a positive spin on learning music it becomes fun and less stressful
ldquoParent involvement is key to a childrsquos successrdquo says Brad Both he and Jan stress that itrsquos important to have musical instruments in the central part of the home when children are young to avoid isolation
ldquoIt should be a family experience Introducing music to children at an early age teaches them how to engage and communicate with othersrdquo says Jan ldquoItrsquos a rich source for gaining confidence self esteem and overcoming shyness You donrsquot have to be the best to enjoy musicrdquo
Keeping music a central part of the family comes naturally for Gunter and Nicolette Bischof Shortly after moving to Fort Collins in 1995 the Bischofrsquos opened Philomusica a music school located at 2105 South College Avenue Grown from their love for the arts and natural ability to inspire people to explore music the Bischofrsquos focus on group les-sons at a very young age Philomusica begins early childhood classes from age 1 and up and teaches all age groups and abilities Even the Bischofrsquos son Nick is an instructor there specializing in trumpet piano and accordion They cater to families with children of different ages offering private lessons for one child simultaneously with group lessons for another A full list of classes can be found on wwwphilomusicacom
ldquoOur European approach is centered on the entire personality and human aspect of the child not just music instructionrdquo says Gunter ldquoMusic at
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can
actually improve academic performance
its core is one of the most divine tools to develop
a well-balanced human being Even the noblest
people from all over the world emphasize the knowledge of the
artsrdquoAll instructors at Philomusica apply a multi-
sensorial approach to teaching with the belief that a childrsquos life is improved enhanced and magnified with
the incorporation of music and movement with musicldquoChildren are sponges even when they canrsquot walkrdquo says
Nicolette ldquoParents should look at an education in music as an investment in the childrsquos life at a young agerdquoThe Bischofrsquos take pride in seeing families stay with them for
years and then watch the student graduate from high school and enter top universities colleges and even Broadway Everyone is encour-aged to foster a competitive edge with performance opportunities festivals and examinations Recently they expanded their facility to provide performance space
ldquoSometimes itrsquos just a matter of awakening the desire that is within someonerdquo chimes Gunter ldquoWe donrsquot just teach music we inspire creators leaders and thinkersrdquo Even the name of their studio says it all ndash philo and music meaning ldquolover of musicrdquo
Jephta Bernstein is a classically trained violinist with a passion for chamber music and music education She conducts afterschool and in-school programs at a variety of locations within the Poudre School District and coaches some students in small chamber music ensembles this gives students a chance to perform in a constructive environment with coaches and feedback
As the Executive Artistic Director and Founder of the non-profit PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Music she is currently in the process of assembling the third season of the annual Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival taking place in Fort Collins June 10-22 The festival blends music of today and yesterday in interactive and thought-provoking ways appealing to audience members of all ages and various walks of life
ldquoThe festival is wonderful for childrenrdquo notes Bernstein ldquoThey can see a story bloom from a piece of music learn how to listen intently to what they hear and hopefully take what they learn to their next experiencerdquo
The Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival primarily involves western classical music and is designed to take children of a certain skill level to the next level of inspiration with their music Family concerts creativity seminars and workshops are all a part of the experience and open for anyone to have an interactive encounter with classical music More information about the festival is found at wwwprojectchambermusicorg
ldquoI think music is the best activity you can get your kids involved in especially for grades Kindergarten to fifth graderdquo says Bernstein ldquoAll the connective body movement you do along with all the coordination is very brain-enriching Exposing yourself to new ideas and getting connected to others is keyrdquo
Malini Bartels is a freelance writer chef mother radio host and actress living the good life in Fort Collins
2020 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
2121Style 2014
Boomer Music Company3761 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2424wwwboomermusiccompanycom
The Academy of Guitar5616 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2466wwwacademyofguitarnet
Colorado Drum and Percussion256 Linden St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 416-0369wwwcoloradodrumcom
Spotlight Music Store4606 S Mason St Ft Collins CO 80525(970) 377-8066wwwspotlightmusicstorecom
The Piano Institute2839 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 206-4930wwwpianoinstitutellccom
Guitar Center813 E Harmony Rd Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 204-0220wwwguitarcentercom
The Repair Shop2321 E Mulberry St(970) 493-2806wwwtrshopusacom
Magnolia Music Studio210 W Magnolia St 10 Fort Collins CO 80521(970) 481-8661wwwmagnoliamusicstudiocom
Philomusica2105 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 419-8801wwwphilomusicacom
PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Musicwwwprojectchambermusicorg
Hands on Music Academy2856 Sitting Bull Way Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 207-9111
Foundation Music School3501 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 407-9084wwwfoundationmusicschoolorg
Sera Schoolswwwseraschoolscomlarimer-county
Murphy Violin Shop1819 W Prospect Rd Fort Collins CO 80526(970) 224-4865wwwmurphyviolinscom
Piano Center of the Rockies2721 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 282-9171wwwpianocenteroftherockiescom
Music Go Round2925 South College Avenue970-204-9262wwwmusicgoroundfortcollinscom
Fort Collins Music Teachers Associationwwwfcmtaorg
ResourceGuide forMusic bull Lessonsbull Tuningbull Purchasingin Fort Collins
22
23
Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument
bull Increases your IQ and the capacity of your memory
bull Refines time management and organizational skills
bull Relieves stress
bull Boosts team skills
bull Teaches perseverance
bull Enhances coordination
bull Betters mathematical ability
bull Improves reading and comprehension skills
bull Gives you a sense of achievement
bull Exposes you to cultural history
bull Sharpens concentration
bull Fosters self-expression
bull Creates a sense of achievement
bull Promotes social skills
bull Boosts listening skills
bull Teaches discipline
bull Elevates performance skills and reduces stage fright
bull Enhances respiratory system
bull Promotes happiness in your life and those around you
ndash Based on an article by Michael Matthews wwweffectivemusicteachingcom
24 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
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Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
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A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
8 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
99Style 2014
WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM READERS SEND YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS TO
angiestylemediacomPhone 9702266400 ext215
Fax 9702266427wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
LOVE THE MAGAZINEI wanted to let you know that I read all of the
Style magazines and have admired the work you have done through the years
Edie BrownLoveland
I loved the [April] magazine Bravo bravo
Julie Sather-BrowneSatherrsquos Leading Jewelers
THANK YOUSThank you for your years of support ndash both to
National Day of Prayer and Hope Lives
Betsy Hoff
I wanted to take a few minutes to let you know how much we have enjoyed our advertisements in your magazine It has not only been a blast working on the vehicles and taking the photos but also hear-ing the stories behind the vehicles we use in our ads
Nelsenrsquos Auto Tech Center has been working on classics hotrods street rods and off road vehicles for years We have been in Fort Collins since 1947 working on both gasoline and diesel vehicles How-ever with Style running our advertisements and the article on the Nelsenrsquos Old Town Car Show people realize Nelsenrsquos really does work on ldquospecialtyrdquo vehicles as well
I believe that by having an advertisement in Style you have allowed us to let our community know Nelsenrsquos is a small yet vastly knowledgeable auto repair shop with a widely diversified staff We truly enjoy working on vehicles and having a personal relationship with our clients I suspect your team feels the same way when putting together the magazine
The feedback from the community has been great In fact some people cannot wait to see whose car will be in our ad next we have been asking our customers over the past several years if we could photograph their vehicles for our ads
It has been a pleasure working with your team We look forward to a long-term relationship with Style Magazine We hope to see the entire staff at the Nelsenrsquos Auto Tech Center Old Town Car Show this year mark your calendars it is Saturday September 6th Sincerely
Amy Reader OwnerNelsens Auto Tech Center
10 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
on the coverExperts say that the month of May is the best kept secret in the white wa-ter rafting universe and the Poudre is one of the best places in the nation to ride We have all the information you need to gear up for your next adven-ture Check out pg 40 of this issue
MAY 2014 STYLE WWWSTYLEMAGAZINECOLORADOCOM
about townA PHOTO TOUR OF NONPROFIT EVENTS 60
Diamonds Are Furever
Mardi Paws
Oceans Eleven
Sharin lsquoOrsquo the Green
Party for a Purpose
Masks Opening
Spring Gala
Beat Beethoven
featuresMUSIC OF THE HEART AND FOR THE MIND 18
PIANOS ABOUT TOWN 26
A DAY AT THE FARM 30STYLE FILES WHAT STYLE IS RAVING ABOUT THIS MONTH 14
TRAVEL A WEEKEND IN ESTES PARK 54
18 26
54
MAKE A POINT TO UNPLUG 34
LOVE SONG 44
PUBLISHERrsquoS LETTER 12
departmentsFROM OUR READERS 8
BUSINESS PROFILE THERMAL SHIELDS amp SHADES 16
RIVER RUNS WILD 40
FAMILY PET FURRY PORTRAITS FOR FOUR-LEGGED LOVED ONES 47
FAMILY WELLNESS VEGETARIAN VEGAN DIETS amp KIDS 50
47
30
FAMILY WELLNESS MOSQUITO DANGER 52
12 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Fun Filled Family Time
lydiastylemediacom
Publisherrsquos Letter
As we started the planning for this family focused issue my thoughts turned to my own family and how blessed I am I am fortunate that my mother aged 89 lives in Denver on her own She is in frail health but sharp as a tack She enjoys seeing family members and we spend time with her quite often My sister Ina lives in Fort Collins is on the Style team and takes the larger share of caretaking for my mom Irsquom so fortunate to have her nearby for her contributions to Style for her friendship and her help with Mom My daughter Meredith and her husband Josh graduated from Podiatry Medical School and have been living with me for the past year awaiting
a residency invitation They will be moving to Missouri this month where Meredith will start a three-year residency program I look forward to the day that they complete their education and come back to Northern Colorado to practice And my youngest daughter Ali lives and works in Denver so I enjoy seeing her often I genuinely treasure the times I spend with family Irsquove noticed that this appreciation has grown as Irsquove aged Thank you to my family for their love and on-going friendship and support
Speaking of appreciation another family that I value and appreciate so much is the Style family Our small team creates together argues together laughs together and supports each other It is such a talented and creative group of strong-minded individuals that take such pride in the work they do to provide you our reader with the magazine you read every month Each individual puts hisher heart into what they do and have a genuine desire to produce the best product for our Northern Colorado communities A giant thanks to each of them they are the ones who truly make the magazine possible
This issue is especially fun Can you just imagine the thrill and excitement of maneuvering the currents and rapids of the Cache la Poudre River Our Style team is planning a trip this summer Read ldquoRiver Runs Wildrdquo and make a raft trip part of your summer adventure
Another fun family activity to begin this summer is learning to play an instrument It wonrsquot cost much just lessons and a rental fee for your instrument and by the end of summer yoursquoll probably be playing a tune Read how incorporating music into your life enriches your spirit and ntellect in ldquoMusic of the Heart and For the Mindrdquo I regret that I never learned to play the piano but I imagine it can still happen
For the youngsters in the family learning about farm animals and experiencing agriculture can be a fun and educational outing Read ldquoA Day at the Farmrdquo to get some great tips on places that welcome kids
Sightseeing crafts and horseback riding are but a few of the myriad of activities available in our neighboring Estes Park If you havenrsquot recently explored this jewel in the mountains be sure to put it on your calendar this summer Estes Park suffered the ravages of the devastating flood in 2013 but it has recovered and is welcoming visitors Spend the weekend and enjoy hiking exploring shopping eating and taking in the lively music and festivals Be sure to read ldquoWeekend in Estesrdquo for some great ideas for a fun family weekend
Browse through this fun filled issue to pick up tips for your family and for showing off our special Northern Colorado region to visitors
And speaking of family I mustnrsquot forget to mention a very dear family close to my heart and that is the family of Hope Lives Women who belong to that family are breast cancer survivors and those battling this very challenging disease Once a year Hope Lives holds a Pink Boa 5k walkrun to celebrate survivorship and remember those who lost the battle Please join the sea of pink at Front Range Village on Harmony Road at 830am on Saturday June 7 Run walk or stroll with us as we rejoice and celebrate life There will be food prizes a Pretty in Pink pet contest music and joyful camaraderie Log on to hopelivesorg to register
Bring friends and we will see you there
1313Style 2014
1414 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Files24th Annual Estes Park Jazz Festival
The annual Estes Park Jazz Festival heralds the beginning of a summer of fun in our favorite mountain town This yearrsquos festival takes place on Saturday May 17 and Sunday May 18 from 12 to 5 pm at Performance Park At the free festival put on every year by the Town of Estes Park visitors can enjoy exploring unique galleries exhibiting exceptional art in addition to the jazz
This yearrsquos headliners are Sax Appeal a group featuring New York saxophone legends Javon Jackson Jimmy Heath Gary Bartz and Donald Harrison backed by The Ken Walker Trio They will take the stage on Sunday at 145 pm
Art Walk maps are available at the Jazz Festival in Performance Park and at the Cultural Art Council Fine Art Gallery at 423 W Elkhorn Ave Parking is available at no extra charge however space is limited Event organizers ask that you leave your dogs at home during the event (service dogs are the exception)
This year Snowy Peaks Winery offers guests wines made by a number of Colo-rados finest wineries including award-winning wines handcrafted on-site A variety of wines will be available for purchase both Saturday and Sunday (all outside alcohol is prohibited)
The Estes Park Jazz Festival has grown from its humble beginnings over two decades ago into a two-day event featuring the finest national and regional Jazz artists
signature event
support local
Who doesnrsquot love a farmersrsquo market Browsing through fresh local vegetables and fruit enjoying handmade treats buying artisan breads and pastries Local farmersrsquo markets are back on for the springsummer season starting in May
The CAMC Fort Collins amp Loveland Farmersrsquo Market opens this month at the following locations (wwwfortcollinsfmcom)
bull Fort Collins Sundays starting May 4 from 11 am to 3 pm in front of the Ace Hardware parking lot on Harmony and Lemay (May through November) A second day of farmersrsquo markets will begin at this location on Wednesday June 18 from 11 am to 3 pm (June through October)
bull Loveland Tuesdays starting May 6 from 11 am to 3 pm on Hwy 287 in front of Hobby Lobby at 3133 N Garfield (May through October)
The Larimer County Farmersrsquo Market held at the Larimer County Courthouse parking lot on Oak Street in Fort Collins opens May 17 from 8 am to noon (wwwlarimercountyfarmersmarketcolostateedu)
The Drake Road Farmersrsquo Market actually opened in April The market is held in the parking lot at the northwest corner of west Drake and Worthington Roads The market runs every Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm through the end of September (wwwdrakeroadfarmersmarketcom)
A second Loveland farmers market will be held at 700 S Railroad Avenue (at the far north end of Fairgrounds Park) every Sunday from 9 am to 130 pm beginning June 29 through September 28 (wwwcityoflovelandorg)
New this year is the Windsor Farmers Market opening Saturday June 28 The farmersrsquo market will run from 9 am to 1230 pm on 5th and Main Streets (wwwwindsorgovcom)
The 22nd Annual Greeley Farmersrsquo Market at the Depot 902 7th Street will open on Saturday May 17 from 730 am to noon A second day will be added Wednesday June 9 from 3 to 6 pm (wwwgreeleygovcom)
1515Style 2014
on the web now
Camping with Kids in the Poudre Canyon
By Corey Radman
Camping with children really isnt an oxymoron In fact its more fun than many of the fancy vacations our family has taken Theres something magical about spending days goofing by the river building rock towers and roasting marshmallows in the evening Intrigued but not sure how to tackle camp with your little kids Read on at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
For the full stories visit our website at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
Ideas Happen Here
By Malini Bartels
Creativity specialist Stephie Morton has been fostering originality in children for over 30 years Her workshop at 402 North College at the Arts Center of Fort Collins generates a unique and creative experience in an ldquoart fullrdquo environment In Mortonrsquos own words ldquoArt expressed as ideas and experienced as imaginative play makes a kind of magic that keeps the creative spirit aliverdquo Read more about Morton and her world of play online
TEDx Front Range returns on May 22 at the Rialto Theatre Center in Loveland Doors open at noon with the program beginning at 1 pm
TEDx is a nationwide series of events with the mission of communicating ldquoideas worth spreadingrdquo The format is a series of short talks demonstrations and performances designed to spark conversation
TEDx Front Range will feature a variety of local and national presenters discussing a large range of topics Tickets are available now at wwwtedxfrontrangecom
dont miss
1616 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kay Rios
Thermal Shades Control Energy Costs
Heat loss and heat gain are concerns for every home or business particularly in an area that enjoys so many days of sunshine The trick is to keep the heat out in the summer and prevent it from escaping during the winter Quality windows can help
along with putting up blinds drapes or anything that can block the heat transfer But with the addition of window coverings the view and natural light are often blocked
Rick Romano owner Thermal Shields amp Shades
business profile
Enter Thermal Shields amp Shades a Fort Col-lins business offering an energy efficient window insulator that can cut down on energy costs by reducing heating and cooling demands At the same time Thermal Shields wonrsquot obscure views or block incoming light
ldquoItrsquos like fine sunglasses for your windowsrdquo says Rick Romano Thermal Shields amp Shades owner
Thermal Shields are made of a polyester material based on a concept designed by NASA years ago ldquoThe material was being made for shades used in air traffic control towers It was a flat piece of film on a rollerrdquo
That didnrsquot quite do the job Romano says ldquoAfter a while it would curl and the sides were open to air infiltration We added our patented scoring system and our tracking system and eliminated those problemsrdquo The scoring system not only gives it a louvered look but it increases the tensile strength of the material
Thermal Shields are installed on the interior side of windows or glass areas and mounted in a patented wood track system so they glide easily to raise or lower as needed With the tracking Thermal Shields can be operated either manually or automatically with an electrical wall switch a handheld remote voice activation or a heat sensor
It can be retro-fitted to any window or sliding doors regardless of shape or size
ldquoThe space created behind the Thermal Shield acts as insulation During the winter it traps cold air behind the shield and the heat produced inside the house is reflected back into the room In the summer it reflects the sunrsquos heat back outsiderdquo Romano says The overall effect is a reduction in both air conditioning and heat requirements depending on the season In addition Thermal Shields greatly increase your comfort level
Thermal Shields can be used with any other window treatment or installed on its own he says It can be used in homes businesses greenhouses and sun spaces Romano installed Thermal Shields at the Colorado Welcome Center where 47 win-dows face the west There the air conditioning ran nonstop even in winter says Romano but after the shields were installed the ac need was cut drastically but the view was not obstructed
Another plus to Thermal Shields is that there are no toxic chemicals involved ldquoThousands of people are affected by multiple chemical sensitivityrdquo he says Because of that more people are building green homes He recently outfitted just such a home ldquoThere are no chemicals in the product no fire retardants and it will not support a flame
It will just melt with no toxic fumesrdquo Romano began making draperies 45 years ago
and for a time ran his own remodeling business He saw the struggle to control heat loss and gain and found a niche in the market He developed his patented product some 30 years ago and when he and his wife Toni left Buck County Penn to come to Colorado he brought it with him creating the family-owned operation here in 1984
Thermal Shields have been installed in 19 states and four countries including Alaska Mexico Canada and Japan ldquoWe get hits from all over the worldrdquo he says ldquoWersquore now working to build up dealers accross the US and just added one in Las Vegasrdquo
In addition to energy saving window treatments the business offers other custom made alternatives including shutters and awnings But with any of the products he offers his customer service pledge remains the same ldquoI wonrsquot just sell my customers a product I help them ascertain what they want to achieve Wersquore not just selling Thermal Shields wersquore providing benefitsrdquo
For more information call (970) 224-5716 email thshieldsmsncom or check the website
wwwthermalshieldscom
1717Style 2014
1625 Pelican Lakes Point Suite 201 | Windsor CO9706741100 | wwwwatervalleycom
Best food Best views
1818 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Music of the heart and for the Mind
Many would say itrsquos a life skill as necessary as learning how to ride a bike Knowing how to play an instrument is beneficial is a variety of ways and what better way to enrich the spirit than with music
Even President Obama who has achieved so much in his life told Barbara Walters in a 2011 interview that he regrets not having learned an instrument
By Malini Bartels
1919Style 2014
A tremendous amount of research has been done to uncover the neuroscience between brain functions and music Aside from the statistics and research music is without a doubt the universal language that unites people across barriers and beyond differences
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can actually improve academic performance There are a variety of methods to introduce music to children from the traditional classical to the more modern Finding what works best for your child and your family is an explorative process Luckily there is no shortage of options in Fort Collins with educators and performers spanning decades of experience and a multitude of resources and styles
Brad Cornick and his wife Jan started Hands on Music Academy 14 years ago in their Fort Collins home Overflowing with state-of-the-art equip-ment for recording playback and play-along their practical and unified approach to music instruction creates a fun and ldquorock starrdquo type environment for young musicians They incorporate rock bands in their music studio as a way to develop team building positive memories and group practice to achieve a common goal
ldquoWe have bands in the curriculum to bring people together with sound vibration communi-cation and lightrdquo says Brad Cornick ldquoItrsquos positive peer pressure and a great group activity Parents say their child practices more than ever when in the band Itrsquos not just about learning the music but performing it as well making friends and getting kids connected and on the same beatrdquo
The bands at Hands on Music bring students together to play music that they are familiar with It might be a classic Elvis tune that they have heard at home or a current pop hit from the radio By putting a positive spin on learning music it becomes fun and less stressful
ldquoParent involvement is key to a childrsquos successrdquo says Brad Both he and Jan stress that itrsquos important to have musical instruments in the central part of the home when children are young to avoid isolation
ldquoIt should be a family experience Introducing music to children at an early age teaches them how to engage and communicate with othersrdquo says Jan ldquoItrsquos a rich source for gaining confidence self esteem and overcoming shyness You donrsquot have to be the best to enjoy musicrdquo
Keeping music a central part of the family comes naturally for Gunter and Nicolette Bischof Shortly after moving to Fort Collins in 1995 the Bischofrsquos opened Philomusica a music school located at 2105 South College Avenue Grown from their love for the arts and natural ability to inspire people to explore music the Bischofrsquos focus on group les-sons at a very young age Philomusica begins early childhood classes from age 1 and up and teaches all age groups and abilities Even the Bischofrsquos son Nick is an instructor there specializing in trumpet piano and accordion They cater to families with children of different ages offering private lessons for one child simultaneously with group lessons for another A full list of classes can be found on wwwphilomusicacom
ldquoOur European approach is centered on the entire personality and human aspect of the child not just music instructionrdquo says Gunter ldquoMusic at
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can
actually improve academic performance
its core is one of the most divine tools to develop
a well-balanced human being Even the noblest
people from all over the world emphasize the knowledge of the
artsrdquoAll instructors at Philomusica apply a multi-
sensorial approach to teaching with the belief that a childrsquos life is improved enhanced and magnified with
the incorporation of music and movement with musicldquoChildren are sponges even when they canrsquot walkrdquo says
Nicolette ldquoParents should look at an education in music as an investment in the childrsquos life at a young agerdquoThe Bischofrsquos take pride in seeing families stay with them for
years and then watch the student graduate from high school and enter top universities colleges and even Broadway Everyone is encour-aged to foster a competitive edge with performance opportunities festivals and examinations Recently they expanded their facility to provide performance space
ldquoSometimes itrsquos just a matter of awakening the desire that is within someonerdquo chimes Gunter ldquoWe donrsquot just teach music we inspire creators leaders and thinkersrdquo Even the name of their studio says it all ndash philo and music meaning ldquolover of musicrdquo
Jephta Bernstein is a classically trained violinist with a passion for chamber music and music education She conducts afterschool and in-school programs at a variety of locations within the Poudre School District and coaches some students in small chamber music ensembles this gives students a chance to perform in a constructive environment with coaches and feedback
As the Executive Artistic Director and Founder of the non-profit PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Music she is currently in the process of assembling the third season of the annual Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival taking place in Fort Collins June 10-22 The festival blends music of today and yesterday in interactive and thought-provoking ways appealing to audience members of all ages and various walks of life
ldquoThe festival is wonderful for childrenrdquo notes Bernstein ldquoThey can see a story bloom from a piece of music learn how to listen intently to what they hear and hopefully take what they learn to their next experiencerdquo
The Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival primarily involves western classical music and is designed to take children of a certain skill level to the next level of inspiration with their music Family concerts creativity seminars and workshops are all a part of the experience and open for anyone to have an interactive encounter with classical music More information about the festival is found at wwwprojectchambermusicorg
ldquoI think music is the best activity you can get your kids involved in especially for grades Kindergarten to fifth graderdquo says Bernstein ldquoAll the connective body movement you do along with all the coordination is very brain-enriching Exposing yourself to new ideas and getting connected to others is keyrdquo
Malini Bartels is a freelance writer chef mother radio host and actress living the good life in Fort Collins
2020 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
2121Style 2014
Boomer Music Company3761 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2424wwwboomermusiccompanycom
The Academy of Guitar5616 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2466wwwacademyofguitarnet
Colorado Drum and Percussion256 Linden St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 416-0369wwwcoloradodrumcom
Spotlight Music Store4606 S Mason St Ft Collins CO 80525(970) 377-8066wwwspotlightmusicstorecom
The Piano Institute2839 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 206-4930wwwpianoinstitutellccom
Guitar Center813 E Harmony Rd Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 204-0220wwwguitarcentercom
The Repair Shop2321 E Mulberry St(970) 493-2806wwwtrshopusacom
Magnolia Music Studio210 W Magnolia St 10 Fort Collins CO 80521(970) 481-8661wwwmagnoliamusicstudiocom
Philomusica2105 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 419-8801wwwphilomusicacom
PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Musicwwwprojectchambermusicorg
Hands on Music Academy2856 Sitting Bull Way Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 207-9111
Foundation Music School3501 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 407-9084wwwfoundationmusicschoolorg
Sera Schoolswwwseraschoolscomlarimer-county
Murphy Violin Shop1819 W Prospect Rd Fort Collins CO 80526(970) 224-4865wwwmurphyviolinscom
Piano Center of the Rockies2721 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 282-9171wwwpianocenteroftherockiescom
Music Go Round2925 South College Avenue970-204-9262wwwmusicgoroundfortcollinscom
Fort Collins Music Teachers Associationwwwfcmtaorg
ResourceGuide forMusic bull Lessonsbull Tuningbull Purchasingin Fort Collins
22
23
Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument
bull Increases your IQ and the capacity of your memory
bull Refines time management and organizational skills
bull Relieves stress
bull Boosts team skills
bull Teaches perseverance
bull Enhances coordination
bull Betters mathematical ability
bull Improves reading and comprehension skills
bull Gives you a sense of achievement
bull Exposes you to cultural history
bull Sharpens concentration
bull Fosters self-expression
bull Creates a sense of achievement
bull Promotes social skills
bull Boosts listening skills
bull Teaches discipline
bull Elevates performance skills and reduces stage fright
bull Enhances respiratory system
bull Promotes happiness in your life and those around you
ndash Based on an article by Michael Matthews wwweffectivemusicteachingcom
24 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
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Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
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A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
99Style 2014
WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM READERS SEND YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS TO
angiestylemediacomPhone 9702266400 ext215
Fax 9702266427wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
LOVE THE MAGAZINEI wanted to let you know that I read all of the
Style magazines and have admired the work you have done through the years
Edie BrownLoveland
I loved the [April] magazine Bravo bravo
Julie Sather-BrowneSatherrsquos Leading Jewelers
THANK YOUSThank you for your years of support ndash both to
National Day of Prayer and Hope Lives
Betsy Hoff
I wanted to take a few minutes to let you know how much we have enjoyed our advertisements in your magazine It has not only been a blast working on the vehicles and taking the photos but also hear-ing the stories behind the vehicles we use in our ads
Nelsenrsquos Auto Tech Center has been working on classics hotrods street rods and off road vehicles for years We have been in Fort Collins since 1947 working on both gasoline and diesel vehicles How-ever with Style running our advertisements and the article on the Nelsenrsquos Old Town Car Show people realize Nelsenrsquos really does work on ldquospecialtyrdquo vehicles as well
I believe that by having an advertisement in Style you have allowed us to let our community know Nelsenrsquos is a small yet vastly knowledgeable auto repair shop with a widely diversified staff We truly enjoy working on vehicles and having a personal relationship with our clients I suspect your team feels the same way when putting together the magazine
The feedback from the community has been great In fact some people cannot wait to see whose car will be in our ad next we have been asking our customers over the past several years if we could photograph their vehicles for our ads
It has been a pleasure working with your team We look forward to a long-term relationship with Style Magazine We hope to see the entire staff at the Nelsenrsquos Auto Tech Center Old Town Car Show this year mark your calendars it is Saturday September 6th Sincerely
Amy Reader OwnerNelsens Auto Tech Center
10 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
on the coverExperts say that the month of May is the best kept secret in the white wa-ter rafting universe and the Poudre is one of the best places in the nation to ride We have all the information you need to gear up for your next adven-ture Check out pg 40 of this issue
MAY 2014 STYLE WWWSTYLEMAGAZINECOLORADOCOM
about townA PHOTO TOUR OF NONPROFIT EVENTS 60
Diamonds Are Furever
Mardi Paws
Oceans Eleven
Sharin lsquoOrsquo the Green
Party for a Purpose
Masks Opening
Spring Gala
Beat Beethoven
featuresMUSIC OF THE HEART AND FOR THE MIND 18
PIANOS ABOUT TOWN 26
A DAY AT THE FARM 30STYLE FILES WHAT STYLE IS RAVING ABOUT THIS MONTH 14
TRAVEL A WEEKEND IN ESTES PARK 54
18 26
54
MAKE A POINT TO UNPLUG 34
LOVE SONG 44
PUBLISHERrsquoS LETTER 12
departmentsFROM OUR READERS 8
BUSINESS PROFILE THERMAL SHIELDS amp SHADES 16
RIVER RUNS WILD 40
FAMILY PET FURRY PORTRAITS FOR FOUR-LEGGED LOVED ONES 47
FAMILY WELLNESS VEGETARIAN VEGAN DIETS amp KIDS 50
47
30
FAMILY WELLNESS MOSQUITO DANGER 52
12 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Fun Filled Family Time
lydiastylemediacom
Publisherrsquos Letter
As we started the planning for this family focused issue my thoughts turned to my own family and how blessed I am I am fortunate that my mother aged 89 lives in Denver on her own She is in frail health but sharp as a tack She enjoys seeing family members and we spend time with her quite often My sister Ina lives in Fort Collins is on the Style team and takes the larger share of caretaking for my mom Irsquom so fortunate to have her nearby for her contributions to Style for her friendship and her help with Mom My daughter Meredith and her husband Josh graduated from Podiatry Medical School and have been living with me for the past year awaiting
a residency invitation They will be moving to Missouri this month where Meredith will start a three-year residency program I look forward to the day that they complete their education and come back to Northern Colorado to practice And my youngest daughter Ali lives and works in Denver so I enjoy seeing her often I genuinely treasure the times I spend with family Irsquove noticed that this appreciation has grown as Irsquove aged Thank you to my family for their love and on-going friendship and support
Speaking of appreciation another family that I value and appreciate so much is the Style family Our small team creates together argues together laughs together and supports each other It is such a talented and creative group of strong-minded individuals that take such pride in the work they do to provide you our reader with the magazine you read every month Each individual puts hisher heart into what they do and have a genuine desire to produce the best product for our Northern Colorado communities A giant thanks to each of them they are the ones who truly make the magazine possible
This issue is especially fun Can you just imagine the thrill and excitement of maneuvering the currents and rapids of the Cache la Poudre River Our Style team is planning a trip this summer Read ldquoRiver Runs Wildrdquo and make a raft trip part of your summer adventure
Another fun family activity to begin this summer is learning to play an instrument It wonrsquot cost much just lessons and a rental fee for your instrument and by the end of summer yoursquoll probably be playing a tune Read how incorporating music into your life enriches your spirit and ntellect in ldquoMusic of the Heart and For the Mindrdquo I regret that I never learned to play the piano but I imagine it can still happen
For the youngsters in the family learning about farm animals and experiencing agriculture can be a fun and educational outing Read ldquoA Day at the Farmrdquo to get some great tips on places that welcome kids
Sightseeing crafts and horseback riding are but a few of the myriad of activities available in our neighboring Estes Park If you havenrsquot recently explored this jewel in the mountains be sure to put it on your calendar this summer Estes Park suffered the ravages of the devastating flood in 2013 but it has recovered and is welcoming visitors Spend the weekend and enjoy hiking exploring shopping eating and taking in the lively music and festivals Be sure to read ldquoWeekend in Estesrdquo for some great ideas for a fun family weekend
Browse through this fun filled issue to pick up tips for your family and for showing off our special Northern Colorado region to visitors
And speaking of family I mustnrsquot forget to mention a very dear family close to my heart and that is the family of Hope Lives Women who belong to that family are breast cancer survivors and those battling this very challenging disease Once a year Hope Lives holds a Pink Boa 5k walkrun to celebrate survivorship and remember those who lost the battle Please join the sea of pink at Front Range Village on Harmony Road at 830am on Saturday June 7 Run walk or stroll with us as we rejoice and celebrate life There will be food prizes a Pretty in Pink pet contest music and joyful camaraderie Log on to hopelivesorg to register
Bring friends and we will see you there
1313Style 2014
1414 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Files24th Annual Estes Park Jazz Festival
The annual Estes Park Jazz Festival heralds the beginning of a summer of fun in our favorite mountain town This yearrsquos festival takes place on Saturday May 17 and Sunday May 18 from 12 to 5 pm at Performance Park At the free festival put on every year by the Town of Estes Park visitors can enjoy exploring unique galleries exhibiting exceptional art in addition to the jazz
This yearrsquos headliners are Sax Appeal a group featuring New York saxophone legends Javon Jackson Jimmy Heath Gary Bartz and Donald Harrison backed by The Ken Walker Trio They will take the stage on Sunday at 145 pm
Art Walk maps are available at the Jazz Festival in Performance Park and at the Cultural Art Council Fine Art Gallery at 423 W Elkhorn Ave Parking is available at no extra charge however space is limited Event organizers ask that you leave your dogs at home during the event (service dogs are the exception)
This year Snowy Peaks Winery offers guests wines made by a number of Colo-rados finest wineries including award-winning wines handcrafted on-site A variety of wines will be available for purchase both Saturday and Sunday (all outside alcohol is prohibited)
The Estes Park Jazz Festival has grown from its humble beginnings over two decades ago into a two-day event featuring the finest national and regional Jazz artists
signature event
support local
Who doesnrsquot love a farmersrsquo market Browsing through fresh local vegetables and fruit enjoying handmade treats buying artisan breads and pastries Local farmersrsquo markets are back on for the springsummer season starting in May
The CAMC Fort Collins amp Loveland Farmersrsquo Market opens this month at the following locations (wwwfortcollinsfmcom)
bull Fort Collins Sundays starting May 4 from 11 am to 3 pm in front of the Ace Hardware parking lot on Harmony and Lemay (May through November) A second day of farmersrsquo markets will begin at this location on Wednesday June 18 from 11 am to 3 pm (June through October)
bull Loveland Tuesdays starting May 6 from 11 am to 3 pm on Hwy 287 in front of Hobby Lobby at 3133 N Garfield (May through October)
The Larimer County Farmersrsquo Market held at the Larimer County Courthouse parking lot on Oak Street in Fort Collins opens May 17 from 8 am to noon (wwwlarimercountyfarmersmarketcolostateedu)
The Drake Road Farmersrsquo Market actually opened in April The market is held in the parking lot at the northwest corner of west Drake and Worthington Roads The market runs every Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm through the end of September (wwwdrakeroadfarmersmarketcom)
A second Loveland farmers market will be held at 700 S Railroad Avenue (at the far north end of Fairgrounds Park) every Sunday from 9 am to 130 pm beginning June 29 through September 28 (wwwcityoflovelandorg)
New this year is the Windsor Farmers Market opening Saturday June 28 The farmersrsquo market will run from 9 am to 1230 pm on 5th and Main Streets (wwwwindsorgovcom)
The 22nd Annual Greeley Farmersrsquo Market at the Depot 902 7th Street will open on Saturday May 17 from 730 am to noon A second day will be added Wednesday June 9 from 3 to 6 pm (wwwgreeleygovcom)
1515Style 2014
on the web now
Camping with Kids in the Poudre Canyon
By Corey Radman
Camping with children really isnt an oxymoron In fact its more fun than many of the fancy vacations our family has taken Theres something magical about spending days goofing by the river building rock towers and roasting marshmallows in the evening Intrigued but not sure how to tackle camp with your little kids Read on at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
For the full stories visit our website at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
Ideas Happen Here
By Malini Bartels
Creativity specialist Stephie Morton has been fostering originality in children for over 30 years Her workshop at 402 North College at the Arts Center of Fort Collins generates a unique and creative experience in an ldquoart fullrdquo environment In Mortonrsquos own words ldquoArt expressed as ideas and experienced as imaginative play makes a kind of magic that keeps the creative spirit aliverdquo Read more about Morton and her world of play online
TEDx Front Range returns on May 22 at the Rialto Theatre Center in Loveland Doors open at noon with the program beginning at 1 pm
TEDx is a nationwide series of events with the mission of communicating ldquoideas worth spreadingrdquo The format is a series of short talks demonstrations and performances designed to spark conversation
TEDx Front Range will feature a variety of local and national presenters discussing a large range of topics Tickets are available now at wwwtedxfrontrangecom
dont miss
1616 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kay Rios
Thermal Shades Control Energy Costs
Heat loss and heat gain are concerns for every home or business particularly in an area that enjoys so many days of sunshine The trick is to keep the heat out in the summer and prevent it from escaping during the winter Quality windows can help
along with putting up blinds drapes or anything that can block the heat transfer But with the addition of window coverings the view and natural light are often blocked
Rick Romano owner Thermal Shields amp Shades
business profile
Enter Thermal Shields amp Shades a Fort Col-lins business offering an energy efficient window insulator that can cut down on energy costs by reducing heating and cooling demands At the same time Thermal Shields wonrsquot obscure views or block incoming light
ldquoItrsquos like fine sunglasses for your windowsrdquo says Rick Romano Thermal Shields amp Shades owner
Thermal Shields are made of a polyester material based on a concept designed by NASA years ago ldquoThe material was being made for shades used in air traffic control towers It was a flat piece of film on a rollerrdquo
That didnrsquot quite do the job Romano says ldquoAfter a while it would curl and the sides were open to air infiltration We added our patented scoring system and our tracking system and eliminated those problemsrdquo The scoring system not only gives it a louvered look but it increases the tensile strength of the material
Thermal Shields are installed on the interior side of windows or glass areas and mounted in a patented wood track system so they glide easily to raise or lower as needed With the tracking Thermal Shields can be operated either manually or automatically with an electrical wall switch a handheld remote voice activation or a heat sensor
It can be retro-fitted to any window or sliding doors regardless of shape or size
ldquoThe space created behind the Thermal Shield acts as insulation During the winter it traps cold air behind the shield and the heat produced inside the house is reflected back into the room In the summer it reflects the sunrsquos heat back outsiderdquo Romano says The overall effect is a reduction in both air conditioning and heat requirements depending on the season In addition Thermal Shields greatly increase your comfort level
Thermal Shields can be used with any other window treatment or installed on its own he says It can be used in homes businesses greenhouses and sun spaces Romano installed Thermal Shields at the Colorado Welcome Center where 47 win-dows face the west There the air conditioning ran nonstop even in winter says Romano but after the shields were installed the ac need was cut drastically but the view was not obstructed
Another plus to Thermal Shields is that there are no toxic chemicals involved ldquoThousands of people are affected by multiple chemical sensitivityrdquo he says Because of that more people are building green homes He recently outfitted just such a home ldquoThere are no chemicals in the product no fire retardants and it will not support a flame
It will just melt with no toxic fumesrdquo Romano began making draperies 45 years ago
and for a time ran his own remodeling business He saw the struggle to control heat loss and gain and found a niche in the market He developed his patented product some 30 years ago and when he and his wife Toni left Buck County Penn to come to Colorado he brought it with him creating the family-owned operation here in 1984
Thermal Shields have been installed in 19 states and four countries including Alaska Mexico Canada and Japan ldquoWe get hits from all over the worldrdquo he says ldquoWersquore now working to build up dealers accross the US and just added one in Las Vegasrdquo
In addition to energy saving window treatments the business offers other custom made alternatives including shutters and awnings But with any of the products he offers his customer service pledge remains the same ldquoI wonrsquot just sell my customers a product I help them ascertain what they want to achieve Wersquore not just selling Thermal Shields wersquore providing benefitsrdquo
For more information call (970) 224-5716 email thshieldsmsncom or check the website
wwwthermalshieldscom
1717Style 2014
1625 Pelican Lakes Point Suite 201 | Windsor CO9706741100 | wwwwatervalleycom
Best food Best views
1818 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Music of the heart and for the Mind
Many would say itrsquos a life skill as necessary as learning how to ride a bike Knowing how to play an instrument is beneficial is a variety of ways and what better way to enrich the spirit than with music
Even President Obama who has achieved so much in his life told Barbara Walters in a 2011 interview that he regrets not having learned an instrument
By Malini Bartels
1919Style 2014
A tremendous amount of research has been done to uncover the neuroscience between brain functions and music Aside from the statistics and research music is without a doubt the universal language that unites people across barriers and beyond differences
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can actually improve academic performance There are a variety of methods to introduce music to children from the traditional classical to the more modern Finding what works best for your child and your family is an explorative process Luckily there is no shortage of options in Fort Collins with educators and performers spanning decades of experience and a multitude of resources and styles
Brad Cornick and his wife Jan started Hands on Music Academy 14 years ago in their Fort Collins home Overflowing with state-of-the-art equip-ment for recording playback and play-along their practical and unified approach to music instruction creates a fun and ldquorock starrdquo type environment for young musicians They incorporate rock bands in their music studio as a way to develop team building positive memories and group practice to achieve a common goal
ldquoWe have bands in the curriculum to bring people together with sound vibration communi-cation and lightrdquo says Brad Cornick ldquoItrsquos positive peer pressure and a great group activity Parents say their child practices more than ever when in the band Itrsquos not just about learning the music but performing it as well making friends and getting kids connected and on the same beatrdquo
The bands at Hands on Music bring students together to play music that they are familiar with It might be a classic Elvis tune that they have heard at home or a current pop hit from the radio By putting a positive spin on learning music it becomes fun and less stressful
ldquoParent involvement is key to a childrsquos successrdquo says Brad Both he and Jan stress that itrsquos important to have musical instruments in the central part of the home when children are young to avoid isolation
ldquoIt should be a family experience Introducing music to children at an early age teaches them how to engage and communicate with othersrdquo says Jan ldquoItrsquos a rich source for gaining confidence self esteem and overcoming shyness You donrsquot have to be the best to enjoy musicrdquo
Keeping music a central part of the family comes naturally for Gunter and Nicolette Bischof Shortly after moving to Fort Collins in 1995 the Bischofrsquos opened Philomusica a music school located at 2105 South College Avenue Grown from their love for the arts and natural ability to inspire people to explore music the Bischofrsquos focus on group les-sons at a very young age Philomusica begins early childhood classes from age 1 and up and teaches all age groups and abilities Even the Bischofrsquos son Nick is an instructor there specializing in trumpet piano and accordion They cater to families with children of different ages offering private lessons for one child simultaneously with group lessons for another A full list of classes can be found on wwwphilomusicacom
ldquoOur European approach is centered on the entire personality and human aspect of the child not just music instructionrdquo says Gunter ldquoMusic at
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can
actually improve academic performance
its core is one of the most divine tools to develop
a well-balanced human being Even the noblest
people from all over the world emphasize the knowledge of the
artsrdquoAll instructors at Philomusica apply a multi-
sensorial approach to teaching with the belief that a childrsquos life is improved enhanced and magnified with
the incorporation of music and movement with musicldquoChildren are sponges even when they canrsquot walkrdquo says
Nicolette ldquoParents should look at an education in music as an investment in the childrsquos life at a young agerdquoThe Bischofrsquos take pride in seeing families stay with them for
years and then watch the student graduate from high school and enter top universities colleges and even Broadway Everyone is encour-aged to foster a competitive edge with performance opportunities festivals and examinations Recently they expanded their facility to provide performance space
ldquoSometimes itrsquos just a matter of awakening the desire that is within someonerdquo chimes Gunter ldquoWe donrsquot just teach music we inspire creators leaders and thinkersrdquo Even the name of their studio says it all ndash philo and music meaning ldquolover of musicrdquo
Jephta Bernstein is a classically trained violinist with a passion for chamber music and music education She conducts afterschool and in-school programs at a variety of locations within the Poudre School District and coaches some students in small chamber music ensembles this gives students a chance to perform in a constructive environment with coaches and feedback
As the Executive Artistic Director and Founder of the non-profit PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Music she is currently in the process of assembling the third season of the annual Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival taking place in Fort Collins June 10-22 The festival blends music of today and yesterday in interactive and thought-provoking ways appealing to audience members of all ages and various walks of life
ldquoThe festival is wonderful for childrenrdquo notes Bernstein ldquoThey can see a story bloom from a piece of music learn how to listen intently to what they hear and hopefully take what they learn to their next experiencerdquo
The Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival primarily involves western classical music and is designed to take children of a certain skill level to the next level of inspiration with their music Family concerts creativity seminars and workshops are all a part of the experience and open for anyone to have an interactive encounter with classical music More information about the festival is found at wwwprojectchambermusicorg
ldquoI think music is the best activity you can get your kids involved in especially for grades Kindergarten to fifth graderdquo says Bernstein ldquoAll the connective body movement you do along with all the coordination is very brain-enriching Exposing yourself to new ideas and getting connected to others is keyrdquo
Malini Bartels is a freelance writer chef mother radio host and actress living the good life in Fort Collins
2020 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
2121Style 2014
Boomer Music Company3761 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2424wwwboomermusiccompanycom
The Academy of Guitar5616 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2466wwwacademyofguitarnet
Colorado Drum and Percussion256 Linden St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 416-0369wwwcoloradodrumcom
Spotlight Music Store4606 S Mason St Ft Collins CO 80525(970) 377-8066wwwspotlightmusicstorecom
The Piano Institute2839 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 206-4930wwwpianoinstitutellccom
Guitar Center813 E Harmony Rd Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 204-0220wwwguitarcentercom
The Repair Shop2321 E Mulberry St(970) 493-2806wwwtrshopusacom
Magnolia Music Studio210 W Magnolia St 10 Fort Collins CO 80521(970) 481-8661wwwmagnoliamusicstudiocom
Philomusica2105 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 419-8801wwwphilomusicacom
PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Musicwwwprojectchambermusicorg
Hands on Music Academy2856 Sitting Bull Way Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 207-9111
Foundation Music School3501 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 407-9084wwwfoundationmusicschoolorg
Sera Schoolswwwseraschoolscomlarimer-county
Murphy Violin Shop1819 W Prospect Rd Fort Collins CO 80526(970) 224-4865wwwmurphyviolinscom
Piano Center of the Rockies2721 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 282-9171wwwpianocenteroftherockiescom
Music Go Round2925 South College Avenue970-204-9262wwwmusicgoroundfortcollinscom
Fort Collins Music Teachers Associationwwwfcmtaorg
ResourceGuide forMusic bull Lessonsbull Tuningbull Purchasingin Fort Collins
22
23
Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument
bull Increases your IQ and the capacity of your memory
bull Refines time management and organizational skills
bull Relieves stress
bull Boosts team skills
bull Teaches perseverance
bull Enhances coordination
bull Betters mathematical ability
bull Improves reading and comprehension skills
bull Gives you a sense of achievement
bull Exposes you to cultural history
bull Sharpens concentration
bull Fosters self-expression
bull Creates a sense of achievement
bull Promotes social skills
bull Boosts listening skills
bull Teaches discipline
bull Elevates performance skills and reduces stage fright
bull Enhances respiratory system
bull Promotes happiness in your life and those around you
ndash Based on an article by Michael Matthews wwweffectivemusicteachingcom
24 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
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Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
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A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
10 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
on the coverExperts say that the month of May is the best kept secret in the white wa-ter rafting universe and the Poudre is one of the best places in the nation to ride We have all the information you need to gear up for your next adven-ture Check out pg 40 of this issue
MAY 2014 STYLE WWWSTYLEMAGAZINECOLORADOCOM
about townA PHOTO TOUR OF NONPROFIT EVENTS 60
Diamonds Are Furever
Mardi Paws
Oceans Eleven
Sharin lsquoOrsquo the Green
Party for a Purpose
Masks Opening
Spring Gala
Beat Beethoven
featuresMUSIC OF THE HEART AND FOR THE MIND 18
PIANOS ABOUT TOWN 26
A DAY AT THE FARM 30STYLE FILES WHAT STYLE IS RAVING ABOUT THIS MONTH 14
TRAVEL A WEEKEND IN ESTES PARK 54
18 26
54
MAKE A POINT TO UNPLUG 34
LOVE SONG 44
PUBLISHERrsquoS LETTER 12
departmentsFROM OUR READERS 8
BUSINESS PROFILE THERMAL SHIELDS amp SHADES 16
RIVER RUNS WILD 40
FAMILY PET FURRY PORTRAITS FOR FOUR-LEGGED LOVED ONES 47
FAMILY WELLNESS VEGETARIAN VEGAN DIETS amp KIDS 50
47
30
FAMILY WELLNESS MOSQUITO DANGER 52
12 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Fun Filled Family Time
lydiastylemediacom
Publisherrsquos Letter
As we started the planning for this family focused issue my thoughts turned to my own family and how blessed I am I am fortunate that my mother aged 89 lives in Denver on her own She is in frail health but sharp as a tack She enjoys seeing family members and we spend time with her quite often My sister Ina lives in Fort Collins is on the Style team and takes the larger share of caretaking for my mom Irsquom so fortunate to have her nearby for her contributions to Style for her friendship and her help with Mom My daughter Meredith and her husband Josh graduated from Podiatry Medical School and have been living with me for the past year awaiting
a residency invitation They will be moving to Missouri this month where Meredith will start a three-year residency program I look forward to the day that they complete their education and come back to Northern Colorado to practice And my youngest daughter Ali lives and works in Denver so I enjoy seeing her often I genuinely treasure the times I spend with family Irsquove noticed that this appreciation has grown as Irsquove aged Thank you to my family for their love and on-going friendship and support
Speaking of appreciation another family that I value and appreciate so much is the Style family Our small team creates together argues together laughs together and supports each other It is such a talented and creative group of strong-minded individuals that take such pride in the work they do to provide you our reader with the magazine you read every month Each individual puts hisher heart into what they do and have a genuine desire to produce the best product for our Northern Colorado communities A giant thanks to each of them they are the ones who truly make the magazine possible
This issue is especially fun Can you just imagine the thrill and excitement of maneuvering the currents and rapids of the Cache la Poudre River Our Style team is planning a trip this summer Read ldquoRiver Runs Wildrdquo and make a raft trip part of your summer adventure
Another fun family activity to begin this summer is learning to play an instrument It wonrsquot cost much just lessons and a rental fee for your instrument and by the end of summer yoursquoll probably be playing a tune Read how incorporating music into your life enriches your spirit and ntellect in ldquoMusic of the Heart and For the Mindrdquo I regret that I never learned to play the piano but I imagine it can still happen
For the youngsters in the family learning about farm animals and experiencing agriculture can be a fun and educational outing Read ldquoA Day at the Farmrdquo to get some great tips on places that welcome kids
Sightseeing crafts and horseback riding are but a few of the myriad of activities available in our neighboring Estes Park If you havenrsquot recently explored this jewel in the mountains be sure to put it on your calendar this summer Estes Park suffered the ravages of the devastating flood in 2013 but it has recovered and is welcoming visitors Spend the weekend and enjoy hiking exploring shopping eating and taking in the lively music and festivals Be sure to read ldquoWeekend in Estesrdquo for some great ideas for a fun family weekend
Browse through this fun filled issue to pick up tips for your family and for showing off our special Northern Colorado region to visitors
And speaking of family I mustnrsquot forget to mention a very dear family close to my heart and that is the family of Hope Lives Women who belong to that family are breast cancer survivors and those battling this very challenging disease Once a year Hope Lives holds a Pink Boa 5k walkrun to celebrate survivorship and remember those who lost the battle Please join the sea of pink at Front Range Village on Harmony Road at 830am on Saturday June 7 Run walk or stroll with us as we rejoice and celebrate life There will be food prizes a Pretty in Pink pet contest music and joyful camaraderie Log on to hopelivesorg to register
Bring friends and we will see you there
1313Style 2014
1414 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Files24th Annual Estes Park Jazz Festival
The annual Estes Park Jazz Festival heralds the beginning of a summer of fun in our favorite mountain town This yearrsquos festival takes place on Saturday May 17 and Sunday May 18 from 12 to 5 pm at Performance Park At the free festival put on every year by the Town of Estes Park visitors can enjoy exploring unique galleries exhibiting exceptional art in addition to the jazz
This yearrsquos headliners are Sax Appeal a group featuring New York saxophone legends Javon Jackson Jimmy Heath Gary Bartz and Donald Harrison backed by The Ken Walker Trio They will take the stage on Sunday at 145 pm
Art Walk maps are available at the Jazz Festival in Performance Park and at the Cultural Art Council Fine Art Gallery at 423 W Elkhorn Ave Parking is available at no extra charge however space is limited Event organizers ask that you leave your dogs at home during the event (service dogs are the exception)
This year Snowy Peaks Winery offers guests wines made by a number of Colo-rados finest wineries including award-winning wines handcrafted on-site A variety of wines will be available for purchase both Saturday and Sunday (all outside alcohol is prohibited)
The Estes Park Jazz Festival has grown from its humble beginnings over two decades ago into a two-day event featuring the finest national and regional Jazz artists
signature event
support local
Who doesnrsquot love a farmersrsquo market Browsing through fresh local vegetables and fruit enjoying handmade treats buying artisan breads and pastries Local farmersrsquo markets are back on for the springsummer season starting in May
The CAMC Fort Collins amp Loveland Farmersrsquo Market opens this month at the following locations (wwwfortcollinsfmcom)
bull Fort Collins Sundays starting May 4 from 11 am to 3 pm in front of the Ace Hardware parking lot on Harmony and Lemay (May through November) A second day of farmersrsquo markets will begin at this location on Wednesday June 18 from 11 am to 3 pm (June through October)
bull Loveland Tuesdays starting May 6 from 11 am to 3 pm on Hwy 287 in front of Hobby Lobby at 3133 N Garfield (May through October)
The Larimer County Farmersrsquo Market held at the Larimer County Courthouse parking lot on Oak Street in Fort Collins opens May 17 from 8 am to noon (wwwlarimercountyfarmersmarketcolostateedu)
The Drake Road Farmersrsquo Market actually opened in April The market is held in the parking lot at the northwest corner of west Drake and Worthington Roads The market runs every Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm through the end of September (wwwdrakeroadfarmersmarketcom)
A second Loveland farmers market will be held at 700 S Railroad Avenue (at the far north end of Fairgrounds Park) every Sunday from 9 am to 130 pm beginning June 29 through September 28 (wwwcityoflovelandorg)
New this year is the Windsor Farmers Market opening Saturday June 28 The farmersrsquo market will run from 9 am to 1230 pm on 5th and Main Streets (wwwwindsorgovcom)
The 22nd Annual Greeley Farmersrsquo Market at the Depot 902 7th Street will open on Saturday May 17 from 730 am to noon A second day will be added Wednesday June 9 from 3 to 6 pm (wwwgreeleygovcom)
1515Style 2014
on the web now
Camping with Kids in the Poudre Canyon
By Corey Radman
Camping with children really isnt an oxymoron In fact its more fun than many of the fancy vacations our family has taken Theres something magical about spending days goofing by the river building rock towers and roasting marshmallows in the evening Intrigued but not sure how to tackle camp with your little kids Read on at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
For the full stories visit our website at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
Ideas Happen Here
By Malini Bartels
Creativity specialist Stephie Morton has been fostering originality in children for over 30 years Her workshop at 402 North College at the Arts Center of Fort Collins generates a unique and creative experience in an ldquoart fullrdquo environment In Mortonrsquos own words ldquoArt expressed as ideas and experienced as imaginative play makes a kind of magic that keeps the creative spirit aliverdquo Read more about Morton and her world of play online
TEDx Front Range returns on May 22 at the Rialto Theatre Center in Loveland Doors open at noon with the program beginning at 1 pm
TEDx is a nationwide series of events with the mission of communicating ldquoideas worth spreadingrdquo The format is a series of short talks demonstrations and performances designed to spark conversation
TEDx Front Range will feature a variety of local and national presenters discussing a large range of topics Tickets are available now at wwwtedxfrontrangecom
dont miss
1616 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kay Rios
Thermal Shades Control Energy Costs
Heat loss and heat gain are concerns for every home or business particularly in an area that enjoys so many days of sunshine The trick is to keep the heat out in the summer and prevent it from escaping during the winter Quality windows can help
along with putting up blinds drapes or anything that can block the heat transfer But with the addition of window coverings the view and natural light are often blocked
Rick Romano owner Thermal Shields amp Shades
business profile
Enter Thermal Shields amp Shades a Fort Col-lins business offering an energy efficient window insulator that can cut down on energy costs by reducing heating and cooling demands At the same time Thermal Shields wonrsquot obscure views or block incoming light
ldquoItrsquos like fine sunglasses for your windowsrdquo says Rick Romano Thermal Shields amp Shades owner
Thermal Shields are made of a polyester material based on a concept designed by NASA years ago ldquoThe material was being made for shades used in air traffic control towers It was a flat piece of film on a rollerrdquo
That didnrsquot quite do the job Romano says ldquoAfter a while it would curl and the sides were open to air infiltration We added our patented scoring system and our tracking system and eliminated those problemsrdquo The scoring system not only gives it a louvered look but it increases the tensile strength of the material
Thermal Shields are installed on the interior side of windows or glass areas and mounted in a patented wood track system so they glide easily to raise or lower as needed With the tracking Thermal Shields can be operated either manually or automatically with an electrical wall switch a handheld remote voice activation or a heat sensor
It can be retro-fitted to any window or sliding doors regardless of shape or size
ldquoThe space created behind the Thermal Shield acts as insulation During the winter it traps cold air behind the shield and the heat produced inside the house is reflected back into the room In the summer it reflects the sunrsquos heat back outsiderdquo Romano says The overall effect is a reduction in both air conditioning and heat requirements depending on the season In addition Thermal Shields greatly increase your comfort level
Thermal Shields can be used with any other window treatment or installed on its own he says It can be used in homes businesses greenhouses and sun spaces Romano installed Thermal Shields at the Colorado Welcome Center where 47 win-dows face the west There the air conditioning ran nonstop even in winter says Romano but after the shields were installed the ac need was cut drastically but the view was not obstructed
Another plus to Thermal Shields is that there are no toxic chemicals involved ldquoThousands of people are affected by multiple chemical sensitivityrdquo he says Because of that more people are building green homes He recently outfitted just such a home ldquoThere are no chemicals in the product no fire retardants and it will not support a flame
It will just melt with no toxic fumesrdquo Romano began making draperies 45 years ago
and for a time ran his own remodeling business He saw the struggle to control heat loss and gain and found a niche in the market He developed his patented product some 30 years ago and when he and his wife Toni left Buck County Penn to come to Colorado he brought it with him creating the family-owned operation here in 1984
Thermal Shields have been installed in 19 states and four countries including Alaska Mexico Canada and Japan ldquoWe get hits from all over the worldrdquo he says ldquoWersquore now working to build up dealers accross the US and just added one in Las Vegasrdquo
In addition to energy saving window treatments the business offers other custom made alternatives including shutters and awnings But with any of the products he offers his customer service pledge remains the same ldquoI wonrsquot just sell my customers a product I help them ascertain what they want to achieve Wersquore not just selling Thermal Shields wersquore providing benefitsrdquo
For more information call (970) 224-5716 email thshieldsmsncom or check the website
wwwthermalshieldscom
1717Style 2014
1625 Pelican Lakes Point Suite 201 | Windsor CO9706741100 | wwwwatervalleycom
Best food Best views
1818 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Music of the heart and for the Mind
Many would say itrsquos a life skill as necessary as learning how to ride a bike Knowing how to play an instrument is beneficial is a variety of ways and what better way to enrich the spirit than with music
Even President Obama who has achieved so much in his life told Barbara Walters in a 2011 interview that he regrets not having learned an instrument
By Malini Bartels
1919Style 2014
A tremendous amount of research has been done to uncover the neuroscience between brain functions and music Aside from the statistics and research music is without a doubt the universal language that unites people across barriers and beyond differences
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can actually improve academic performance There are a variety of methods to introduce music to children from the traditional classical to the more modern Finding what works best for your child and your family is an explorative process Luckily there is no shortage of options in Fort Collins with educators and performers spanning decades of experience and a multitude of resources and styles
Brad Cornick and his wife Jan started Hands on Music Academy 14 years ago in their Fort Collins home Overflowing with state-of-the-art equip-ment for recording playback and play-along their practical and unified approach to music instruction creates a fun and ldquorock starrdquo type environment for young musicians They incorporate rock bands in their music studio as a way to develop team building positive memories and group practice to achieve a common goal
ldquoWe have bands in the curriculum to bring people together with sound vibration communi-cation and lightrdquo says Brad Cornick ldquoItrsquos positive peer pressure and a great group activity Parents say their child practices more than ever when in the band Itrsquos not just about learning the music but performing it as well making friends and getting kids connected and on the same beatrdquo
The bands at Hands on Music bring students together to play music that they are familiar with It might be a classic Elvis tune that they have heard at home or a current pop hit from the radio By putting a positive spin on learning music it becomes fun and less stressful
ldquoParent involvement is key to a childrsquos successrdquo says Brad Both he and Jan stress that itrsquos important to have musical instruments in the central part of the home when children are young to avoid isolation
ldquoIt should be a family experience Introducing music to children at an early age teaches them how to engage and communicate with othersrdquo says Jan ldquoItrsquos a rich source for gaining confidence self esteem and overcoming shyness You donrsquot have to be the best to enjoy musicrdquo
Keeping music a central part of the family comes naturally for Gunter and Nicolette Bischof Shortly after moving to Fort Collins in 1995 the Bischofrsquos opened Philomusica a music school located at 2105 South College Avenue Grown from their love for the arts and natural ability to inspire people to explore music the Bischofrsquos focus on group les-sons at a very young age Philomusica begins early childhood classes from age 1 and up and teaches all age groups and abilities Even the Bischofrsquos son Nick is an instructor there specializing in trumpet piano and accordion They cater to families with children of different ages offering private lessons for one child simultaneously with group lessons for another A full list of classes can be found on wwwphilomusicacom
ldquoOur European approach is centered on the entire personality and human aspect of the child not just music instructionrdquo says Gunter ldquoMusic at
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can
actually improve academic performance
its core is one of the most divine tools to develop
a well-balanced human being Even the noblest
people from all over the world emphasize the knowledge of the
artsrdquoAll instructors at Philomusica apply a multi-
sensorial approach to teaching with the belief that a childrsquos life is improved enhanced and magnified with
the incorporation of music and movement with musicldquoChildren are sponges even when they canrsquot walkrdquo says
Nicolette ldquoParents should look at an education in music as an investment in the childrsquos life at a young agerdquoThe Bischofrsquos take pride in seeing families stay with them for
years and then watch the student graduate from high school and enter top universities colleges and even Broadway Everyone is encour-aged to foster a competitive edge with performance opportunities festivals and examinations Recently they expanded their facility to provide performance space
ldquoSometimes itrsquos just a matter of awakening the desire that is within someonerdquo chimes Gunter ldquoWe donrsquot just teach music we inspire creators leaders and thinkersrdquo Even the name of their studio says it all ndash philo and music meaning ldquolover of musicrdquo
Jephta Bernstein is a classically trained violinist with a passion for chamber music and music education She conducts afterschool and in-school programs at a variety of locations within the Poudre School District and coaches some students in small chamber music ensembles this gives students a chance to perform in a constructive environment with coaches and feedback
As the Executive Artistic Director and Founder of the non-profit PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Music she is currently in the process of assembling the third season of the annual Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival taking place in Fort Collins June 10-22 The festival blends music of today and yesterday in interactive and thought-provoking ways appealing to audience members of all ages and various walks of life
ldquoThe festival is wonderful for childrenrdquo notes Bernstein ldquoThey can see a story bloom from a piece of music learn how to listen intently to what they hear and hopefully take what they learn to their next experiencerdquo
The Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival primarily involves western classical music and is designed to take children of a certain skill level to the next level of inspiration with their music Family concerts creativity seminars and workshops are all a part of the experience and open for anyone to have an interactive encounter with classical music More information about the festival is found at wwwprojectchambermusicorg
ldquoI think music is the best activity you can get your kids involved in especially for grades Kindergarten to fifth graderdquo says Bernstein ldquoAll the connective body movement you do along with all the coordination is very brain-enriching Exposing yourself to new ideas and getting connected to others is keyrdquo
Malini Bartels is a freelance writer chef mother radio host and actress living the good life in Fort Collins
2020 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
2121Style 2014
Boomer Music Company3761 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2424wwwboomermusiccompanycom
The Academy of Guitar5616 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2466wwwacademyofguitarnet
Colorado Drum and Percussion256 Linden St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 416-0369wwwcoloradodrumcom
Spotlight Music Store4606 S Mason St Ft Collins CO 80525(970) 377-8066wwwspotlightmusicstorecom
The Piano Institute2839 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 206-4930wwwpianoinstitutellccom
Guitar Center813 E Harmony Rd Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 204-0220wwwguitarcentercom
The Repair Shop2321 E Mulberry St(970) 493-2806wwwtrshopusacom
Magnolia Music Studio210 W Magnolia St 10 Fort Collins CO 80521(970) 481-8661wwwmagnoliamusicstudiocom
Philomusica2105 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 419-8801wwwphilomusicacom
PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Musicwwwprojectchambermusicorg
Hands on Music Academy2856 Sitting Bull Way Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 207-9111
Foundation Music School3501 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 407-9084wwwfoundationmusicschoolorg
Sera Schoolswwwseraschoolscomlarimer-county
Murphy Violin Shop1819 W Prospect Rd Fort Collins CO 80526(970) 224-4865wwwmurphyviolinscom
Piano Center of the Rockies2721 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 282-9171wwwpianocenteroftherockiescom
Music Go Round2925 South College Avenue970-204-9262wwwmusicgoroundfortcollinscom
Fort Collins Music Teachers Associationwwwfcmtaorg
ResourceGuide forMusic bull Lessonsbull Tuningbull Purchasingin Fort Collins
22
23
Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument
bull Increases your IQ and the capacity of your memory
bull Refines time management and organizational skills
bull Relieves stress
bull Boosts team skills
bull Teaches perseverance
bull Enhances coordination
bull Betters mathematical ability
bull Improves reading and comprehension skills
bull Gives you a sense of achievement
bull Exposes you to cultural history
bull Sharpens concentration
bull Fosters self-expression
bull Creates a sense of achievement
bull Promotes social skills
bull Boosts listening skills
bull Teaches discipline
bull Elevates performance skills and reduces stage fright
bull Enhances respiratory system
bull Promotes happiness in your life and those around you
ndash Based on an article by Michael Matthews wwweffectivemusicteachingcom
24 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
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2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
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Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
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2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
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Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
12 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Fun Filled Family Time
lydiastylemediacom
Publisherrsquos Letter
As we started the planning for this family focused issue my thoughts turned to my own family and how blessed I am I am fortunate that my mother aged 89 lives in Denver on her own She is in frail health but sharp as a tack She enjoys seeing family members and we spend time with her quite often My sister Ina lives in Fort Collins is on the Style team and takes the larger share of caretaking for my mom Irsquom so fortunate to have her nearby for her contributions to Style for her friendship and her help with Mom My daughter Meredith and her husband Josh graduated from Podiatry Medical School and have been living with me for the past year awaiting
a residency invitation They will be moving to Missouri this month where Meredith will start a three-year residency program I look forward to the day that they complete their education and come back to Northern Colorado to practice And my youngest daughter Ali lives and works in Denver so I enjoy seeing her often I genuinely treasure the times I spend with family Irsquove noticed that this appreciation has grown as Irsquove aged Thank you to my family for their love and on-going friendship and support
Speaking of appreciation another family that I value and appreciate so much is the Style family Our small team creates together argues together laughs together and supports each other It is such a talented and creative group of strong-minded individuals that take such pride in the work they do to provide you our reader with the magazine you read every month Each individual puts hisher heart into what they do and have a genuine desire to produce the best product for our Northern Colorado communities A giant thanks to each of them they are the ones who truly make the magazine possible
This issue is especially fun Can you just imagine the thrill and excitement of maneuvering the currents and rapids of the Cache la Poudre River Our Style team is planning a trip this summer Read ldquoRiver Runs Wildrdquo and make a raft trip part of your summer adventure
Another fun family activity to begin this summer is learning to play an instrument It wonrsquot cost much just lessons and a rental fee for your instrument and by the end of summer yoursquoll probably be playing a tune Read how incorporating music into your life enriches your spirit and ntellect in ldquoMusic of the Heart and For the Mindrdquo I regret that I never learned to play the piano but I imagine it can still happen
For the youngsters in the family learning about farm animals and experiencing agriculture can be a fun and educational outing Read ldquoA Day at the Farmrdquo to get some great tips on places that welcome kids
Sightseeing crafts and horseback riding are but a few of the myriad of activities available in our neighboring Estes Park If you havenrsquot recently explored this jewel in the mountains be sure to put it on your calendar this summer Estes Park suffered the ravages of the devastating flood in 2013 but it has recovered and is welcoming visitors Spend the weekend and enjoy hiking exploring shopping eating and taking in the lively music and festivals Be sure to read ldquoWeekend in Estesrdquo for some great ideas for a fun family weekend
Browse through this fun filled issue to pick up tips for your family and for showing off our special Northern Colorado region to visitors
And speaking of family I mustnrsquot forget to mention a very dear family close to my heart and that is the family of Hope Lives Women who belong to that family are breast cancer survivors and those battling this very challenging disease Once a year Hope Lives holds a Pink Boa 5k walkrun to celebrate survivorship and remember those who lost the battle Please join the sea of pink at Front Range Village on Harmony Road at 830am on Saturday June 7 Run walk or stroll with us as we rejoice and celebrate life There will be food prizes a Pretty in Pink pet contest music and joyful camaraderie Log on to hopelivesorg to register
Bring friends and we will see you there
1313Style 2014
1414 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Files24th Annual Estes Park Jazz Festival
The annual Estes Park Jazz Festival heralds the beginning of a summer of fun in our favorite mountain town This yearrsquos festival takes place on Saturday May 17 and Sunday May 18 from 12 to 5 pm at Performance Park At the free festival put on every year by the Town of Estes Park visitors can enjoy exploring unique galleries exhibiting exceptional art in addition to the jazz
This yearrsquos headliners are Sax Appeal a group featuring New York saxophone legends Javon Jackson Jimmy Heath Gary Bartz and Donald Harrison backed by The Ken Walker Trio They will take the stage on Sunday at 145 pm
Art Walk maps are available at the Jazz Festival in Performance Park and at the Cultural Art Council Fine Art Gallery at 423 W Elkhorn Ave Parking is available at no extra charge however space is limited Event organizers ask that you leave your dogs at home during the event (service dogs are the exception)
This year Snowy Peaks Winery offers guests wines made by a number of Colo-rados finest wineries including award-winning wines handcrafted on-site A variety of wines will be available for purchase both Saturday and Sunday (all outside alcohol is prohibited)
The Estes Park Jazz Festival has grown from its humble beginnings over two decades ago into a two-day event featuring the finest national and regional Jazz artists
signature event
support local
Who doesnrsquot love a farmersrsquo market Browsing through fresh local vegetables and fruit enjoying handmade treats buying artisan breads and pastries Local farmersrsquo markets are back on for the springsummer season starting in May
The CAMC Fort Collins amp Loveland Farmersrsquo Market opens this month at the following locations (wwwfortcollinsfmcom)
bull Fort Collins Sundays starting May 4 from 11 am to 3 pm in front of the Ace Hardware parking lot on Harmony and Lemay (May through November) A second day of farmersrsquo markets will begin at this location on Wednesday June 18 from 11 am to 3 pm (June through October)
bull Loveland Tuesdays starting May 6 from 11 am to 3 pm on Hwy 287 in front of Hobby Lobby at 3133 N Garfield (May through October)
The Larimer County Farmersrsquo Market held at the Larimer County Courthouse parking lot on Oak Street in Fort Collins opens May 17 from 8 am to noon (wwwlarimercountyfarmersmarketcolostateedu)
The Drake Road Farmersrsquo Market actually opened in April The market is held in the parking lot at the northwest corner of west Drake and Worthington Roads The market runs every Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm through the end of September (wwwdrakeroadfarmersmarketcom)
A second Loveland farmers market will be held at 700 S Railroad Avenue (at the far north end of Fairgrounds Park) every Sunday from 9 am to 130 pm beginning June 29 through September 28 (wwwcityoflovelandorg)
New this year is the Windsor Farmers Market opening Saturday June 28 The farmersrsquo market will run from 9 am to 1230 pm on 5th and Main Streets (wwwwindsorgovcom)
The 22nd Annual Greeley Farmersrsquo Market at the Depot 902 7th Street will open on Saturday May 17 from 730 am to noon A second day will be added Wednesday June 9 from 3 to 6 pm (wwwgreeleygovcom)
1515Style 2014
on the web now
Camping with Kids in the Poudre Canyon
By Corey Radman
Camping with children really isnt an oxymoron In fact its more fun than many of the fancy vacations our family has taken Theres something magical about spending days goofing by the river building rock towers and roasting marshmallows in the evening Intrigued but not sure how to tackle camp with your little kids Read on at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
For the full stories visit our website at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
Ideas Happen Here
By Malini Bartels
Creativity specialist Stephie Morton has been fostering originality in children for over 30 years Her workshop at 402 North College at the Arts Center of Fort Collins generates a unique and creative experience in an ldquoart fullrdquo environment In Mortonrsquos own words ldquoArt expressed as ideas and experienced as imaginative play makes a kind of magic that keeps the creative spirit aliverdquo Read more about Morton and her world of play online
TEDx Front Range returns on May 22 at the Rialto Theatre Center in Loveland Doors open at noon with the program beginning at 1 pm
TEDx is a nationwide series of events with the mission of communicating ldquoideas worth spreadingrdquo The format is a series of short talks demonstrations and performances designed to spark conversation
TEDx Front Range will feature a variety of local and national presenters discussing a large range of topics Tickets are available now at wwwtedxfrontrangecom
dont miss
1616 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kay Rios
Thermal Shades Control Energy Costs
Heat loss and heat gain are concerns for every home or business particularly in an area that enjoys so many days of sunshine The trick is to keep the heat out in the summer and prevent it from escaping during the winter Quality windows can help
along with putting up blinds drapes or anything that can block the heat transfer But with the addition of window coverings the view and natural light are often blocked
Rick Romano owner Thermal Shields amp Shades
business profile
Enter Thermal Shields amp Shades a Fort Col-lins business offering an energy efficient window insulator that can cut down on energy costs by reducing heating and cooling demands At the same time Thermal Shields wonrsquot obscure views or block incoming light
ldquoItrsquos like fine sunglasses for your windowsrdquo says Rick Romano Thermal Shields amp Shades owner
Thermal Shields are made of a polyester material based on a concept designed by NASA years ago ldquoThe material was being made for shades used in air traffic control towers It was a flat piece of film on a rollerrdquo
That didnrsquot quite do the job Romano says ldquoAfter a while it would curl and the sides were open to air infiltration We added our patented scoring system and our tracking system and eliminated those problemsrdquo The scoring system not only gives it a louvered look but it increases the tensile strength of the material
Thermal Shields are installed on the interior side of windows or glass areas and mounted in a patented wood track system so they glide easily to raise or lower as needed With the tracking Thermal Shields can be operated either manually or automatically with an electrical wall switch a handheld remote voice activation or a heat sensor
It can be retro-fitted to any window or sliding doors regardless of shape or size
ldquoThe space created behind the Thermal Shield acts as insulation During the winter it traps cold air behind the shield and the heat produced inside the house is reflected back into the room In the summer it reflects the sunrsquos heat back outsiderdquo Romano says The overall effect is a reduction in both air conditioning and heat requirements depending on the season In addition Thermal Shields greatly increase your comfort level
Thermal Shields can be used with any other window treatment or installed on its own he says It can be used in homes businesses greenhouses and sun spaces Romano installed Thermal Shields at the Colorado Welcome Center where 47 win-dows face the west There the air conditioning ran nonstop even in winter says Romano but after the shields were installed the ac need was cut drastically but the view was not obstructed
Another plus to Thermal Shields is that there are no toxic chemicals involved ldquoThousands of people are affected by multiple chemical sensitivityrdquo he says Because of that more people are building green homes He recently outfitted just such a home ldquoThere are no chemicals in the product no fire retardants and it will not support a flame
It will just melt with no toxic fumesrdquo Romano began making draperies 45 years ago
and for a time ran his own remodeling business He saw the struggle to control heat loss and gain and found a niche in the market He developed his patented product some 30 years ago and when he and his wife Toni left Buck County Penn to come to Colorado he brought it with him creating the family-owned operation here in 1984
Thermal Shields have been installed in 19 states and four countries including Alaska Mexico Canada and Japan ldquoWe get hits from all over the worldrdquo he says ldquoWersquore now working to build up dealers accross the US and just added one in Las Vegasrdquo
In addition to energy saving window treatments the business offers other custom made alternatives including shutters and awnings But with any of the products he offers his customer service pledge remains the same ldquoI wonrsquot just sell my customers a product I help them ascertain what they want to achieve Wersquore not just selling Thermal Shields wersquore providing benefitsrdquo
For more information call (970) 224-5716 email thshieldsmsncom or check the website
wwwthermalshieldscom
1717Style 2014
1625 Pelican Lakes Point Suite 201 | Windsor CO9706741100 | wwwwatervalleycom
Best food Best views
1818 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Music of the heart and for the Mind
Many would say itrsquos a life skill as necessary as learning how to ride a bike Knowing how to play an instrument is beneficial is a variety of ways and what better way to enrich the spirit than with music
Even President Obama who has achieved so much in his life told Barbara Walters in a 2011 interview that he regrets not having learned an instrument
By Malini Bartels
1919Style 2014
A tremendous amount of research has been done to uncover the neuroscience between brain functions and music Aside from the statistics and research music is without a doubt the universal language that unites people across barriers and beyond differences
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can actually improve academic performance There are a variety of methods to introduce music to children from the traditional classical to the more modern Finding what works best for your child and your family is an explorative process Luckily there is no shortage of options in Fort Collins with educators and performers spanning decades of experience and a multitude of resources and styles
Brad Cornick and his wife Jan started Hands on Music Academy 14 years ago in their Fort Collins home Overflowing with state-of-the-art equip-ment for recording playback and play-along their practical and unified approach to music instruction creates a fun and ldquorock starrdquo type environment for young musicians They incorporate rock bands in their music studio as a way to develop team building positive memories and group practice to achieve a common goal
ldquoWe have bands in the curriculum to bring people together with sound vibration communi-cation and lightrdquo says Brad Cornick ldquoItrsquos positive peer pressure and a great group activity Parents say their child practices more than ever when in the band Itrsquos not just about learning the music but performing it as well making friends and getting kids connected and on the same beatrdquo
The bands at Hands on Music bring students together to play music that they are familiar with It might be a classic Elvis tune that they have heard at home or a current pop hit from the radio By putting a positive spin on learning music it becomes fun and less stressful
ldquoParent involvement is key to a childrsquos successrdquo says Brad Both he and Jan stress that itrsquos important to have musical instruments in the central part of the home when children are young to avoid isolation
ldquoIt should be a family experience Introducing music to children at an early age teaches them how to engage and communicate with othersrdquo says Jan ldquoItrsquos a rich source for gaining confidence self esteem and overcoming shyness You donrsquot have to be the best to enjoy musicrdquo
Keeping music a central part of the family comes naturally for Gunter and Nicolette Bischof Shortly after moving to Fort Collins in 1995 the Bischofrsquos opened Philomusica a music school located at 2105 South College Avenue Grown from their love for the arts and natural ability to inspire people to explore music the Bischofrsquos focus on group les-sons at a very young age Philomusica begins early childhood classes from age 1 and up and teaches all age groups and abilities Even the Bischofrsquos son Nick is an instructor there specializing in trumpet piano and accordion They cater to families with children of different ages offering private lessons for one child simultaneously with group lessons for another A full list of classes can be found on wwwphilomusicacom
ldquoOur European approach is centered on the entire personality and human aspect of the child not just music instructionrdquo says Gunter ldquoMusic at
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can
actually improve academic performance
its core is one of the most divine tools to develop
a well-balanced human being Even the noblest
people from all over the world emphasize the knowledge of the
artsrdquoAll instructors at Philomusica apply a multi-
sensorial approach to teaching with the belief that a childrsquos life is improved enhanced and magnified with
the incorporation of music and movement with musicldquoChildren are sponges even when they canrsquot walkrdquo says
Nicolette ldquoParents should look at an education in music as an investment in the childrsquos life at a young agerdquoThe Bischofrsquos take pride in seeing families stay with them for
years and then watch the student graduate from high school and enter top universities colleges and even Broadway Everyone is encour-aged to foster a competitive edge with performance opportunities festivals and examinations Recently they expanded their facility to provide performance space
ldquoSometimes itrsquos just a matter of awakening the desire that is within someonerdquo chimes Gunter ldquoWe donrsquot just teach music we inspire creators leaders and thinkersrdquo Even the name of their studio says it all ndash philo and music meaning ldquolover of musicrdquo
Jephta Bernstein is a classically trained violinist with a passion for chamber music and music education She conducts afterschool and in-school programs at a variety of locations within the Poudre School District and coaches some students in small chamber music ensembles this gives students a chance to perform in a constructive environment with coaches and feedback
As the Executive Artistic Director and Founder of the non-profit PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Music she is currently in the process of assembling the third season of the annual Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival taking place in Fort Collins June 10-22 The festival blends music of today and yesterday in interactive and thought-provoking ways appealing to audience members of all ages and various walks of life
ldquoThe festival is wonderful for childrenrdquo notes Bernstein ldquoThey can see a story bloom from a piece of music learn how to listen intently to what they hear and hopefully take what they learn to their next experiencerdquo
The Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival primarily involves western classical music and is designed to take children of a certain skill level to the next level of inspiration with their music Family concerts creativity seminars and workshops are all a part of the experience and open for anyone to have an interactive encounter with classical music More information about the festival is found at wwwprojectchambermusicorg
ldquoI think music is the best activity you can get your kids involved in especially for grades Kindergarten to fifth graderdquo says Bernstein ldquoAll the connective body movement you do along with all the coordination is very brain-enriching Exposing yourself to new ideas and getting connected to others is keyrdquo
Malini Bartels is a freelance writer chef mother radio host and actress living the good life in Fort Collins
2020 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
2121Style 2014
Boomer Music Company3761 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2424wwwboomermusiccompanycom
The Academy of Guitar5616 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2466wwwacademyofguitarnet
Colorado Drum and Percussion256 Linden St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 416-0369wwwcoloradodrumcom
Spotlight Music Store4606 S Mason St Ft Collins CO 80525(970) 377-8066wwwspotlightmusicstorecom
The Piano Institute2839 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 206-4930wwwpianoinstitutellccom
Guitar Center813 E Harmony Rd Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 204-0220wwwguitarcentercom
The Repair Shop2321 E Mulberry St(970) 493-2806wwwtrshopusacom
Magnolia Music Studio210 W Magnolia St 10 Fort Collins CO 80521(970) 481-8661wwwmagnoliamusicstudiocom
Philomusica2105 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 419-8801wwwphilomusicacom
PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Musicwwwprojectchambermusicorg
Hands on Music Academy2856 Sitting Bull Way Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 207-9111
Foundation Music School3501 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 407-9084wwwfoundationmusicschoolorg
Sera Schoolswwwseraschoolscomlarimer-county
Murphy Violin Shop1819 W Prospect Rd Fort Collins CO 80526(970) 224-4865wwwmurphyviolinscom
Piano Center of the Rockies2721 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 282-9171wwwpianocenteroftherockiescom
Music Go Round2925 South College Avenue970-204-9262wwwmusicgoroundfortcollinscom
Fort Collins Music Teachers Associationwwwfcmtaorg
ResourceGuide forMusic bull Lessonsbull Tuningbull Purchasingin Fort Collins
22
23
Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument
bull Increases your IQ and the capacity of your memory
bull Refines time management and organizational skills
bull Relieves stress
bull Boosts team skills
bull Teaches perseverance
bull Enhances coordination
bull Betters mathematical ability
bull Improves reading and comprehension skills
bull Gives you a sense of achievement
bull Exposes you to cultural history
bull Sharpens concentration
bull Fosters self-expression
bull Creates a sense of achievement
bull Promotes social skills
bull Boosts listening skills
bull Teaches discipline
bull Elevates performance skills and reduces stage fright
bull Enhances respiratory system
bull Promotes happiness in your life and those around you
ndash Based on an article by Michael Matthews wwweffectivemusicteachingcom
24 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
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Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
1313Style 2014
1414 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Files24th Annual Estes Park Jazz Festival
The annual Estes Park Jazz Festival heralds the beginning of a summer of fun in our favorite mountain town This yearrsquos festival takes place on Saturday May 17 and Sunday May 18 from 12 to 5 pm at Performance Park At the free festival put on every year by the Town of Estes Park visitors can enjoy exploring unique galleries exhibiting exceptional art in addition to the jazz
This yearrsquos headliners are Sax Appeal a group featuring New York saxophone legends Javon Jackson Jimmy Heath Gary Bartz and Donald Harrison backed by The Ken Walker Trio They will take the stage on Sunday at 145 pm
Art Walk maps are available at the Jazz Festival in Performance Park and at the Cultural Art Council Fine Art Gallery at 423 W Elkhorn Ave Parking is available at no extra charge however space is limited Event organizers ask that you leave your dogs at home during the event (service dogs are the exception)
This year Snowy Peaks Winery offers guests wines made by a number of Colo-rados finest wineries including award-winning wines handcrafted on-site A variety of wines will be available for purchase both Saturday and Sunday (all outside alcohol is prohibited)
The Estes Park Jazz Festival has grown from its humble beginnings over two decades ago into a two-day event featuring the finest national and regional Jazz artists
signature event
support local
Who doesnrsquot love a farmersrsquo market Browsing through fresh local vegetables and fruit enjoying handmade treats buying artisan breads and pastries Local farmersrsquo markets are back on for the springsummer season starting in May
The CAMC Fort Collins amp Loveland Farmersrsquo Market opens this month at the following locations (wwwfortcollinsfmcom)
bull Fort Collins Sundays starting May 4 from 11 am to 3 pm in front of the Ace Hardware parking lot on Harmony and Lemay (May through November) A second day of farmersrsquo markets will begin at this location on Wednesday June 18 from 11 am to 3 pm (June through October)
bull Loveland Tuesdays starting May 6 from 11 am to 3 pm on Hwy 287 in front of Hobby Lobby at 3133 N Garfield (May through October)
The Larimer County Farmersrsquo Market held at the Larimer County Courthouse parking lot on Oak Street in Fort Collins opens May 17 from 8 am to noon (wwwlarimercountyfarmersmarketcolostateedu)
The Drake Road Farmersrsquo Market actually opened in April The market is held in the parking lot at the northwest corner of west Drake and Worthington Roads The market runs every Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm through the end of September (wwwdrakeroadfarmersmarketcom)
A second Loveland farmers market will be held at 700 S Railroad Avenue (at the far north end of Fairgrounds Park) every Sunday from 9 am to 130 pm beginning June 29 through September 28 (wwwcityoflovelandorg)
New this year is the Windsor Farmers Market opening Saturday June 28 The farmersrsquo market will run from 9 am to 1230 pm on 5th and Main Streets (wwwwindsorgovcom)
The 22nd Annual Greeley Farmersrsquo Market at the Depot 902 7th Street will open on Saturday May 17 from 730 am to noon A second day will be added Wednesday June 9 from 3 to 6 pm (wwwgreeleygovcom)
1515Style 2014
on the web now
Camping with Kids in the Poudre Canyon
By Corey Radman
Camping with children really isnt an oxymoron In fact its more fun than many of the fancy vacations our family has taken Theres something magical about spending days goofing by the river building rock towers and roasting marshmallows in the evening Intrigued but not sure how to tackle camp with your little kids Read on at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
For the full stories visit our website at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
Ideas Happen Here
By Malini Bartels
Creativity specialist Stephie Morton has been fostering originality in children for over 30 years Her workshop at 402 North College at the Arts Center of Fort Collins generates a unique and creative experience in an ldquoart fullrdquo environment In Mortonrsquos own words ldquoArt expressed as ideas and experienced as imaginative play makes a kind of magic that keeps the creative spirit aliverdquo Read more about Morton and her world of play online
TEDx Front Range returns on May 22 at the Rialto Theatre Center in Loveland Doors open at noon with the program beginning at 1 pm
TEDx is a nationwide series of events with the mission of communicating ldquoideas worth spreadingrdquo The format is a series of short talks demonstrations and performances designed to spark conversation
TEDx Front Range will feature a variety of local and national presenters discussing a large range of topics Tickets are available now at wwwtedxfrontrangecom
dont miss
1616 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kay Rios
Thermal Shades Control Energy Costs
Heat loss and heat gain are concerns for every home or business particularly in an area that enjoys so many days of sunshine The trick is to keep the heat out in the summer and prevent it from escaping during the winter Quality windows can help
along with putting up blinds drapes or anything that can block the heat transfer But with the addition of window coverings the view and natural light are often blocked
Rick Romano owner Thermal Shields amp Shades
business profile
Enter Thermal Shields amp Shades a Fort Col-lins business offering an energy efficient window insulator that can cut down on energy costs by reducing heating and cooling demands At the same time Thermal Shields wonrsquot obscure views or block incoming light
ldquoItrsquos like fine sunglasses for your windowsrdquo says Rick Romano Thermal Shields amp Shades owner
Thermal Shields are made of a polyester material based on a concept designed by NASA years ago ldquoThe material was being made for shades used in air traffic control towers It was a flat piece of film on a rollerrdquo
That didnrsquot quite do the job Romano says ldquoAfter a while it would curl and the sides were open to air infiltration We added our patented scoring system and our tracking system and eliminated those problemsrdquo The scoring system not only gives it a louvered look but it increases the tensile strength of the material
Thermal Shields are installed on the interior side of windows or glass areas and mounted in a patented wood track system so they glide easily to raise or lower as needed With the tracking Thermal Shields can be operated either manually or automatically with an electrical wall switch a handheld remote voice activation or a heat sensor
It can be retro-fitted to any window or sliding doors regardless of shape or size
ldquoThe space created behind the Thermal Shield acts as insulation During the winter it traps cold air behind the shield and the heat produced inside the house is reflected back into the room In the summer it reflects the sunrsquos heat back outsiderdquo Romano says The overall effect is a reduction in both air conditioning and heat requirements depending on the season In addition Thermal Shields greatly increase your comfort level
Thermal Shields can be used with any other window treatment or installed on its own he says It can be used in homes businesses greenhouses and sun spaces Romano installed Thermal Shields at the Colorado Welcome Center where 47 win-dows face the west There the air conditioning ran nonstop even in winter says Romano but after the shields were installed the ac need was cut drastically but the view was not obstructed
Another plus to Thermal Shields is that there are no toxic chemicals involved ldquoThousands of people are affected by multiple chemical sensitivityrdquo he says Because of that more people are building green homes He recently outfitted just such a home ldquoThere are no chemicals in the product no fire retardants and it will not support a flame
It will just melt with no toxic fumesrdquo Romano began making draperies 45 years ago
and for a time ran his own remodeling business He saw the struggle to control heat loss and gain and found a niche in the market He developed his patented product some 30 years ago and when he and his wife Toni left Buck County Penn to come to Colorado he brought it with him creating the family-owned operation here in 1984
Thermal Shields have been installed in 19 states and four countries including Alaska Mexico Canada and Japan ldquoWe get hits from all over the worldrdquo he says ldquoWersquore now working to build up dealers accross the US and just added one in Las Vegasrdquo
In addition to energy saving window treatments the business offers other custom made alternatives including shutters and awnings But with any of the products he offers his customer service pledge remains the same ldquoI wonrsquot just sell my customers a product I help them ascertain what they want to achieve Wersquore not just selling Thermal Shields wersquore providing benefitsrdquo
For more information call (970) 224-5716 email thshieldsmsncom or check the website
wwwthermalshieldscom
1717Style 2014
1625 Pelican Lakes Point Suite 201 | Windsor CO9706741100 | wwwwatervalleycom
Best food Best views
1818 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Music of the heart and for the Mind
Many would say itrsquos a life skill as necessary as learning how to ride a bike Knowing how to play an instrument is beneficial is a variety of ways and what better way to enrich the spirit than with music
Even President Obama who has achieved so much in his life told Barbara Walters in a 2011 interview that he regrets not having learned an instrument
By Malini Bartels
1919Style 2014
A tremendous amount of research has been done to uncover the neuroscience between brain functions and music Aside from the statistics and research music is without a doubt the universal language that unites people across barriers and beyond differences
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can actually improve academic performance There are a variety of methods to introduce music to children from the traditional classical to the more modern Finding what works best for your child and your family is an explorative process Luckily there is no shortage of options in Fort Collins with educators and performers spanning decades of experience and a multitude of resources and styles
Brad Cornick and his wife Jan started Hands on Music Academy 14 years ago in their Fort Collins home Overflowing with state-of-the-art equip-ment for recording playback and play-along their practical and unified approach to music instruction creates a fun and ldquorock starrdquo type environment for young musicians They incorporate rock bands in their music studio as a way to develop team building positive memories and group practice to achieve a common goal
ldquoWe have bands in the curriculum to bring people together with sound vibration communi-cation and lightrdquo says Brad Cornick ldquoItrsquos positive peer pressure and a great group activity Parents say their child practices more than ever when in the band Itrsquos not just about learning the music but performing it as well making friends and getting kids connected and on the same beatrdquo
The bands at Hands on Music bring students together to play music that they are familiar with It might be a classic Elvis tune that they have heard at home or a current pop hit from the radio By putting a positive spin on learning music it becomes fun and less stressful
ldquoParent involvement is key to a childrsquos successrdquo says Brad Both he and Jan stress that itrsquos important to have musical instruments in the central part of the home when children are young to avoid isolation
ldquoIt should be a family experience Introducing music to children at an early age teaches them how to engage and communicate with othersrdquo says Jan ldquoItrsquos a rich source for gaining confidence self esteem and overcoming shyness You donrsquot have to be the best to enjoy musicrdquo
Keeping music a central part of the family comes naturally for Gunter and Nicolette Bischof Shortly after moving to Fort Collins in 1995 the Bischofrsquos opened Philomusica a music school located at 2105 South College Avenue Grown from their love for the arts and natural ability to inspire people to explore music the Bischofrsquos focus on group les-sons at a very young age Philomusica begins early childhood classes from age 1 and up and teaches all age groups and abilities Even the Bischofrsquos son Nick is an instructor there specializing in trumpet piano and accordion They cater to families with children of different ages offering private lessons for one child simultaneously with group lessons for another A full list of classes can be found on wwwphilomusicacom
ldquoOur European approach is centered on the entire personality and human aspect of the child not just music instructionrdquo says Gunter ldquoMusic at
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can
actually improve academic performance
its core is one of the most divine tools to develop
a well-balanced human being Even the noblest
people from all over the world emphasize the knowledge of the
artsrdquoAll instructors at Philomusica apply a multi-
sensorial approach to teaching with the belief that a childrsquos life is improved enhanced and magnified with
the incorporation of music and movement with musicldquoChildren are sponges even when they canrsquot walkrdquo says
Nicolette ldquoParents should look at an education in music as an investment in the childrsquos life at a young agerdquoThe Bischofrsquos take pride in seeing families stay with them for
years and then watch the student graduate from high school and enter top universities colleges and even Broadway Everyone is encour-aged to foster a competitive edge with performance opportunities festivals and examinations Recently they expanded their facility to provide performance space
ldquoSometimes itrsquos just a matter of awakening the desire that is within someonerdquo chimes Gunter ldquoWe donrsquot just teach music we inspire creators leaders and thinkersrdquo Even the name of their studio says it all ndash philo and music meaning ldquolover of musicrdquo
Jephta Bernstein is a classically trained violinist with a passion for chamber music and music education She conducts afterschool and in-school programs at a variety of locations within the Poudre School District and coaches some students in small chamber music ensembles this gives students a chance to perform in a constructive environment with coaches and feedback
As the Executive Artistic Director and Founder of the non-profit PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Music she is currently in the process of assembling the third season of the annual Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival taking place in Fort Collins June 10-22 The festival blends music of today and yesterday in interactive and thought-provoking ways appealing to audience members of all ages and various walks of life
ldquoThe festival is wonderful for childrenrdquo notes Bernstein ldquoThey can see a story bloom from a piece of music learn how to listen intently to what they hear and hopefully take what they learn to their next experiencerdquo
The Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival primarily involves western classical music and is designed to take children of a certain skill level to the next level of inspiration with their music Family concerts creativity seminars and workshops are all a part of the experience and open for anyone to have an interactive encounter with classical music More information about the festival is found at wwwprojectchambermusicorg
ldquoI think music is the best activity you can get your kids involved in especially for grades Kindergarten to fifth graderdquo says Bernstein ldquoAll the connective body movement you do along with all the coordination is very brain-enriching Exposing yourself to new ideas and getting connected to others is keyrdquo
Malini Bartels is a freelance writer chef mother radio host and actress living the good life in Fort Collins
2020 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
2121Style 2014
Boomer Music Company3761 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2424wwwboomermusiccompanycom
The Academy of Guitar5616 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2466wwwacademyofguitarnet
Colorado Drum and Percussion256 Linden St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 416-0369wwwcoloradodrumcom
Spotlight Music Store4606 S Mason St Ft Collins CO 80525(970) 377-8066wwwspotlightmusicstorecom
The Piano Institute2839 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 206-4930wwwpianoinstitutellccom
Guitar Center813 E Harmony Rd Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 204-0220wwwguitarcentercom
The Repair Shop2321 E Mulberry St(970) 493-2806wwwtrshopusacom
Magnolia Music Studio210 W Magnolia St 10 Fort Collins CO 80521(970) 481-8661wwwmagnoliamusicstudiocom
Philomusica2105 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 419-8801wwwphilomusicacom
PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Musicwwwprojectchambermusicorg
Hands on Music Academy2856 Sitting Bull Way Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 207-9111
Foundation Music School3501 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 407-9084wwwfoundationmusicschoolorg
Sera Schoolswwwseraschoolscomlarimer-county
Murphy Violin Shop1819 W Prospect Rd Fort Collins CO 80526(970) 224-4865wwwmurphyviolinscom
Piano Center of the Rockies2721 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 282-9171wwwpianocenteroftherockiescom
Music Go Round2925 South College Avenue970-204-9262wwwmusicgoroundfortcollinscom
Fort Collins Music Teachers Associationwwwfcmtaorg
ResourceGuide forMusic bull Lessonsbull Tuningbull Purchasingin Fort Collins
22
23
Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument
bull Increases your IQ and the capacity of your memory
bull Refines time management and organizational skills
bull Relieves stress
bull Boosts team skills
bull Teaches perseverance
bull Enhances coordination
bull Betters mathematical ability
bull Improves reading and comprehension skills
bull Gives you a sense of achievement
bull Exposes you to cultural history
bull Sharpens concentration
bull Fosters self-expression
bull Creates a sense of achievement
bull Promotes social skills
bull Boosts listening skills
bull Teaches discipline
bull Elevates performance skills and reduces stage fright
bull Enhances respiratory system
bull Promotes happiness in your life and those around you
ndash Based on an article by Michael Matthews wwweffectivemusicteachingcom
24 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
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Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
1414 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Files24th Annual Estes Park Jazz Festival
The annual Estes Park Jazz Festival heralds the beginning of a summer of fun in our favorite mountain town This yearrsquos festival takes place on Saturday May 17 and Sunday May 18 from 12 to 5 pm at Performance Park At the free festival put on every year by the Town of Estes Park visitors can enjoy exploring unique galleries exhibiting exceptional art in addition to the jazz
This yearrsquos headliners are Sax Appeal a group featuring New York saxophone legends Javon Jackson Jimmy Heath Gary Bartz and Donald Harrison backed by The Ken Walker Trio They will take the stage on Sunday at 145 pm
Art Walk maps are available at the Jazz Festival in Performance Park and at the Cultural Art Council Fine Art Gallery at 423 W Elkhorn Ave Parking is available at no extra charge however space is limited Event organizers ask that you leave your dogs at home during the event (service dogs are the exception)
This year Snowy Peaks Winery offers guests wines made by a number of Colo-rados finest wineries including award-winning wines handcrafted on-site A variety of wines will be available for purchase both Saturday and Sunday (all outside alcohol is prohibited)
The Estes Park Jazz Festival has grown from its humble beginnings over two decades ago into a two-day event featuring the finest national and regional Jazz artists
signature event
support local
Who doesnrsquot love a farmersrsquo market Browsing through fresh local vegetables and fruit enjoying handmade treats buying artisan breads and pastries Local farmersrsquo markets are back on for the springsummer season starting in May
The CAMC Fort Collins amp Loveland Farmersrsquo Market opens this month at the following locations (wwwfortcollinsfmcom)
bull Fort Collins Sundays starting May 4 from 11 am to 3 pm in front of the Ace Hardware parking lot on Harmony and Lemay (May through November) A second day of farmersrsquo markets will begin at this location on Wednesday June 18 from 11 am to 3 pm (June through October)
bull Loveland Tuesdays starting May 6 from 11 am to 3 pm on Hwy 287 in front of Hobby Lobby at 3133 N Garfield (May through October)
The Larimer County Farmersrsquo Market held at the Larimer County Courthouse parking lot on Oak Street in Fort Collins opens May 17 from 8 am to noon (wwwlarimercountyfarmersmarketcolostateedu)
The Drake Road Farmersrsquo Market actually opened in April The market is held in the parking lot at the northwest corner of west Drake and Worthington Roads The market runs every Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm through the end of September (wwwdrakeroadfarmersmarketcom)
A second Loveland farmers market will be held at 700 S Railroad Avenue (at the far north end of Fairgrounds Park) every Sunday from 9 am to 130 pm beginning June 29 through September 28 (wwwcityoflovelandorg)
New this year is the Windsor Farmers Market opening Saturday June 28 The farmersrsquo market will run from 9 am to 1230 pm on 5th and Main Streets (wwwwindsorgovcom)
The 22nd Annual Greeley Farmersrsquo Market at the Depot 902 7th Street will open on Saturday May 17 from 730 am to noon A second day will be added Wednesday June 9 from 3 to 6 pm (wwwgreeleygovcom)
1515Style 2014
on the web now
Camping with Kids in the Poudre Canyon
By Corey Radman
Camping with children really isnt an oxymoron In fact its more fun than many of the fancy vacations our family has taken Theres something magical about spending days goofing by the river building rock towers and roasting marshmallows in the evening Intrigued but not sure how to tackle camp with your little kids Read on at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
For the full stories visit our website at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
Ideas Happen Here
By Malini Bartels
Creativity specialist Stephie Morton has been fostering originality in children for over 30 years Her workshop at 402 North College at the Arts Center of Fort Collins generates a unique and creative experience in an ldquoart fullrdquo environment In Mortonrsquos own words ldquoArt expressed as ideas and experienced as imaginative play makes a kind of magic that keeps the creative spirit aliverdquo Read more about Morton and her world of play online
TEDx Front Range returns on May 22 at the Rialto Theatre Center in Loveland Doors open at noon with the program beginning at 1 pm
TEDx is a nationwide series of events with the mission of communicating ldquoideas worth spreadingrdquo The format is a series of short talks demonstrations and performances designed to spark conversation
TEDx Front Range will feature a variety of local and national presenters discussing a large range of topics Tickets are available now at wwwtedxfrontrangecom
dont miss
1616 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kay Rios
Thermal Shades Control Energy Costs
Heat loss and heat gain are concerns for every home or business particularly in an area that enjoys so many days of sunshine The trick is to keep the heat out in the summer and prevent it from escaping during the winter Quality windows can help
along with putting up blinds drapes or anything that can block the heat transfer But with the addition of window coverings the view and natural light are often blocked
Rick Romano owner Thermal Shields amp Shades
business profile
Enter Thermal Shields amp Shades a Fort Col-lins business offering an energy efficient window insulator that can cut down on energy costs by reducing heating and cooling demands At the same time Thermal Shields wonrsquot obscure views or block incoming light
ldquoItrsquos like fine sunglasses for your windowsrdquo says Rick Romano Thermal Shields amp Shades owner
Thermal Shields are made of a polyester material based on a concept designed by NASA years ago ldquoThe material was being made for shades used in air traffic control towers It was a flat piece of film on a rollerrdquo
That didnrsquot quite do the job Romano says ldquoAfter a while it would curl and the sides were open to air infiltration We added our patented scoring system and our tracking system and eliminated those problemsrdquo The scoring system not only gives it a louvered look but it increases the tensile strength of the material
Thermal Shields are installed on the interior side of windows or glass areas and mounted in a patented wood track system so they glide easily to raise or lower as needed With the tracking Thermal Shields can be operated either manually or automatically with an electrical wall switch a handheld remote voice activation or a heat sensor
It can be retro-fitted to any window or sliding doors regardless of shape or size
ldquoThe space created behind the Thermal Shield acts as insulation During the winter it traps cold air behind the shield and the heat produced inside the house is reflected back into the room In the summer it reflects the sunrsquos heat back outsiderdquo Romano says The overall effect is a reduction in both air conditioning and heat requirements depending on the season In addition Thermal Shields greatly increase your comfort level
Thermal Shields can be used with any other window treatment or installed on its own he says It can be used in homes businesses greenhouses and sun spaces Romano installed Thermal Shields at the Colorado Welcome Center where 47 win-dows face the west There the air conditioning ran nonstop even in winter says Romano but after the shields were installed the ac need was cut drastically but the view was not obstructed
Another plus to Thermal Shields is that there are no toxic chemicals involved ldquoThousands of people are affected by multiple chemical sensitivityrdquo he says Because of that more people are building green homes He recently outfitted just such a home ldquoThere are no chemicals in the product no fire retardants and it will not support a flame
It will just melt with no toxic fumesrdquo Romano began making draperies 45 years ago
and for a time ran his own remodeling business He saw the struggle to control heat loss and gain and found a niche in the market He developed his patented product some 30 years ago and when he and his wife Toni left Buck County Penn to come to Colorado he brought it with him creating the family-owned operation here in 1984
Thermal Shields have been installed in 19 states and four countries including Alaska Mexico Canada and Japan ldquoWe get hits from all over the worldrdquo he says ldquoWersquore now working to build up dealers accross the US and just added one in Las Vegasrdquo
In addition to energy saving window treatments the business offers other custom made alternatives including shutters and awnings But with any of the products he offers his customer service pledge remains the same ldquoI wonrsquot just sell my customers a product I help them ascertain what they want to achieve Wersquore not just selling Thermal Shields wersquore providing benefitsrdquo
For more information call (970) 224-5716 email thshieldsmsncom or check the website
wwwthermalshieldscom
1717Style 2014
1625 Pelican Lakes Point Suite 201 | Windsor CO9706741100 | wwwwatervalleycom
Best food Best views
1818 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Music of the heart and for the Mind
Many would say itrsquos a life skill as necessary as learning how to ride a bike Knowing how to play an instrument is beneficial is a variety of ways and what better way to enrich the spirit than with music
Even President Obama who has achieved so much in his life told Barbara Walters in a 2011 interview that he regrets not having learned an instrument
By Malini Bartels
1919Style 2014
A tremendous amount of research has been done to uncover the neuroscience between brain functions and music Aside from the statistics and research music is without a doubt the universal language that unites people across barriers and beyond differences
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can actually improve academic performance There are a variety of methods to introduce music to children from the traditional classical to the more modern Finding what works best for your child and your family is an explorative process Luckily there is no shortage of options in Fort Collins with educators and performers spanning decades of experience and a multitude of resources and styles
Brad Cornick and his wife Jan started Hands on Music Academy 14 years ago in their Fort Collins home Overflowing with state-of-the-art equip-ment for recording playback and play-along their practical and unified approach to music instruction creates a fun and ldquorock starrdquo type environment for young musicians They incorporate rock bands in their music studio as a way to develop team building positive memories and group practice to achieve a common goal
ldquoWe have bands in the curriculum to bring people together with sound vibration communi-cation and lightrdquo says Brad Cornick ldquoItrsquos positive peer pressure and a great group activity Parents say their child practices more than ever when in the band Itrsquos not just about learning the music but performing it as well making friends and getting kids connected and on the same beatrdquo
The bands at Hands on Music bring students together to play music that they are familiar with It might be a classic Elvis tune that they have heard at home or a current pop hit from the radio By putting a positive spin on learning music it becomes fun and less stressful
ldquoParent involvement is key to a childrsquos successrdquo says Brad Both he and Jan stress that itrsquos important to have musical instruments in the central part of the home when children are young to avoid isolation
ldquoIt should be a family experience Introducing music to children at an early age teaches them how to engage and communicate with othersrdquo says Jan ldquoItrsquos a rich source for gaining confidence self esteem and overcoming shyness You donrsquot have to be the best to enjoy musicrdquo
Keeping music a central part of the family comes naturally for Gunter and Nicolette Bischof Shortly after moving to Fort Collins in 1995 the Bischofrsquos opened Philomusica a music school located at 2105 South College Avenue Grown from their love for the arts and natural ability to inspire people to explore music the Bischofrsquos focus on group les-sons at a very young age Philomusica begins early childhood classes from age 1 and up and teaches all age groups and abilities Even the Bischofrsquos son Nick is an instructor there specializing in trumpet piano and accordion They cater to families with children of different ages offering private lessons for one child simultaneously with group lessons for another A full list of classes can be found on wwwphilomusicacom
ldquoOur European approach is centered on the entire personality and human aspect of the child not just music instructionrdquo says Gunter ldquoMusic at
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can
actually improve academic performance
its core is one of the most divine tools to develop
a well-balanced human being Even the noblest
people from all over the world emphasize the knowledge of the
artsrdquoAll instructors at Philomusica apply a multi-
sensorial approach to teaching with the belief that a childrsquos life is improved enhanced and magnified with
the incorporation of music and movement with musicldquoChildren are sponges even when they canrsquot walkrdquo says
Nicolette ldquoParents should look at an education in music as an investment in the childrsquos life at a young agerdquoThe Bischofrsquos take pride in seeing families stay with them for
years and then watch the student graduate from high school and enter top universities colleges and even Broadway Everyone is encour-aged to foster a competitive edge with performance opportunities festivals and examinations Recently they expanded their facility to provide performance space
ldquoSometimes itrsquos just a matter of awakening the desire that is within someonerdquo chimes Gunter ldquoWe donrsquot just teach music we inspire creators leaders and thinkersrdquo Even the name of their studio says it all ndash philo and music meaning ldquolover of musicrdquo
Jephta Bernstein is a classically trained violinist with a passion for chamber music and music education She conducts afterschool and in-school programs at a variety of locations within the Poudre School District and coaches some students in small chamber music ensembles this gives students a chance to perform in a constructive environment with coaches and feedback
As the Executive Artistic Director and Founder of the non-profit PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Music she is currently in the process of assembling the third season of the annual Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival taking place in Fort Collins June 10-22 The festival blends music of today and yesterday in interactive and thought-provoking ways appealing to audience members of all ages and various walks of life
ldquoThe festival is wonderful for childrenrdquo notes Bernstein ldquoThey can see a story bloom from a piece of music learn how to listen intently to what they hear and hopefully take what they learn to their next experiencerdquo
The Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival primarily involves western classical music and is designed to take children of a certain skill level to the next level of inspiration with their music Family concerts creativity seminars and workshops are all a part of the experience and open for anyone to have an interactive encounter with classical music More information about the festival is found at wwwprojectchambermusicorg
ldquoI think music is the best activity you can get your kids involved in especially for grades Kindergarten to fifth graderdquo says Bernstein ldquoAll the connective body movement you do along with all the coordination is very brain-enriching Exposing yourself to new ideas and getting connected to others is keyrdquo
Malini Bartels is a freelance writer chef mother radio host and actress living the good life in Fort Collins
2020 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
2121Style 2014
Boomer Music Company3761 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2424wwwboomermusiccompanycom
The Academy of Guitar5616 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2466wwwacademyofguitarnet
Colorado Drum and Percussion256 Linden St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 416-0369wwwcoloradodrumcom
Spotlight Music Store4606 S Mason St Ft Collins CO 80525(970) 377-8066wwwspotlightmusicstorecom
The Piano Institute2839 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 206-4930wwwpianoinstitutellccom
Guitar Center813 E Harmony Rd Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 204-0220wwwguitarcentercom
The Repair Shop2321 E Mulberry St(970) 493-2806wwwtrshopusacom
Magnolia Music Studio210 W Magnolia St 10 Fort Collins CO 80521(970) 481-8661wwwmagnoliamusicstudiocom
Philomusica2105 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 419-8801wwwphilomusicacom
PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Musicwwwprojectchambermusicorg
Hands on Music Academy2856 Sitting Bull Way Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 207-9111
Foundation Music School3501 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 407-9084wwwfoundationmusicschoolorg
Sera Schoolswwwseraschoolscomlarimer-county
Murphy Violin Shop1819 W Prospect Rd Fort Collins CO 80526(970) 224-4865wwwmurphyviolinscom
Piano Center of the Rockies2721 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 282-9171wwwpianocenteroftherockiescom
Music Go Round2925 South College Avenue970-204-9262wwwmusicgoroundfortcollinscom
Fort Collins Music Teachers Associationwwwfcmtaorg
ResourceGuide forMusic bull Lessonsbull Tuningbull Purchasingin Fort Collins
22
23
Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument
bull Increases your IQ and the capacity of your memory
bull Refines time management and organizational skills
bull Relieves stress
bull Boosts team skills
bull Teaches perseverance
bull Enhances coordination
bull Betters mathematical ability
bull Improves reading and comprehension skills
bull Gives you a sense of achievement
bull Exposes you to cultural history
bull Sharpens concentration
bull Fosters self-expression
bull Creates a sense of achievement
bull Promotes social skills
bull Boosts listening skills
bull Teaches discipline
bull Elevates performance skills and reduces stage fright
bull Enhances respiratory system
bull Promotes happiness in your life and those around you
ndash Based on an article by Michael Matthews wwweffectivemusicteachingcom
24 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
For all of your custom stone needs There is only one choice
Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
1515Style 2014
on the web now
Camping with Kids in the Poudre Canyon
By Corey Radman
Camping with children really isnt an oxymoron In fact its more fun than many of the fancy vacations our family has taken Theres something magical about spending days goofing by the river building rock towers and roasting marshmallows in the evening Intrigued but not sure how to tackle camp with your little kids Read on at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
For the full stories visit our website at wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom
Ideas Happen Here
By Malini Bartels
Creativity specialist Stephie Morton has been fostering originality in children for over 30 years Her workshop at 402 North College at the Arts Center of Fort Collins generates a unique and creative experience in an ldquoart fullrdquo environment In Mortonrsquos own words ldquoArt expressed as ideas and experienced as imaginative play makes a kind of magic that keeps the creative spirit aliverdquo Read more about Morton and her world of play online
TEDx Front Range returns on May 22 at the Rialto Theatre Center in Loveland Doors open at noon with the program beginning at 1 pm
TEDx is a nationwide series of events with the mission of communicating ldquoideas worth spreadingrdquo The format is a series of short talks demonstrations and performances designed to spark conversation
TEDx Front Range will feature a variety of local and national presenters discussing a large range of topics Tickets are available now at wwwtedxfrontrangecom
dont miss
1616 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kay Rios
Thermal Shades Control Energy Costs
Heat loss and heat gain are concerns for every home or business particularly in an area that enjoys so many days of sunshine The trick is to keep the heat out in the summer and prevent it from escaping during the winter Quality windows can help
along with putting up blinds drapes or anything that can block the heat transfer But with the addition of window coverings the view and natural light are often blocked
Rick Romano owner Thermal Shields amp Shades
business profile
Enter Thermal Shields amp Shades a Fort Col-lins business offering an energy efficient window insulator that can cut down on energy costs by reducing heating and cooling demands At the same time Thermal Shields wonrsquot obscure views or block incoming light
ldquoItrsquos like fine sunglasses for your windowsrdquo says Rick Romano Thermal Shields amp Shades owner
Thermal Shields are made of a polyester material based on a concept designed by NASA years ago ldquoThe material was being made for shades used in air traffic control towers It was a flat piece of film on a rollerrdquo
That didnrsquot quite do the job Romano says ldquoAfter a while it would curl and the sides were open to air infiltration We added our patented scoring system and our tracking system and eliminated those problemsrdquo The scoring system not only gives it a louvered look but it increases the tensile strength of the material
Thermal Shields are installed on the interior side of windows or glass areas and mounted in a patented wood track system so they glide easily to raise or lower as needed With the tracking Thermal Shields can be operated either manually or automatically with an electrical wall switch a handheld remote voice activation or a heat sensor
It can be retro-fitted to any window or sliding doors regardless of shape or size
ldquoThe space created behind the Thermal Shield acts as insulation During the winter it traps cold air behind the shield and the heat produced inside the house is reflected back into the room In the summer it reflects the sunrsquos heat back outsiderdquo Romano says The overall effect is a reduction in both air conditioning and heat requirements depending on the season In addition Thermal Shields greatly increase your comfort level
Thermal Shields can be used with any other window treatment or installed on its own he says It can be used in homes businesses greenhouses and sun spaces Romano installed Thermal Shields at the Colorado Welcome Center where 47 win-dows face the west There the air conditioning ran nonstop even in winter says Romano but after the shields were installed the ac need was cut drastically but the view was not obstructed
Another plus to Thermal Shields is that there are no toxic chemicals involved ldquoThousands of people are affected by multiple chemical sensitivityrdquo he says Because of that more people are building green homes He recently outfitted just such a home ldquoThere are no chemicals in the product no fire retardants and it will not support a flame
It will just melt with no toxic fumesrdquo Romano began making draperies 45 years ago
and for a time ran his own remodeling business He saw the struggle to control heat loss and gain and found a niche in the market He developed his patented product some 30 years ago and when he and his wife Toni left Buck County Penn to come to Colorado he brought it with him creating the family-owned operation here in 1984
Thermal Shields have been installed in 19 states and four countries including Alaska Mexico Canada and Japan ldquoWe get hits from all over the worldrdquo he says ldquoWersquore now working to build up dealers accross the US and just added one in Las Vegasrdquo
In addition to energy saving window treatments the business offers other custom made alternatives including shutters and awnings But with any of the products he offers his customer service pledge remains the same ldquoI wonrsquot just sell my customers a product I help them ascertain what they want to achieve Wersquore not just selling Thermal Shields wersquore providing benefitsrdquo
For more information call (970) 224-5716 email thshieldsmsncom or check the website
wwwthermalshieldscom
1717Style 2014
1625 Pelican Lakes Point Suite 201 | Windsor CO9706741100 | wwwwatervalleycom
Best food Best views
1818 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Music of the heart and for the Mind
Many would say itrsquos a life skill as necessary as learning how to ride a bike Knowing how to play an instrument is beneficial is a variety of ways and what better way to enrich the spirit than with music
Even President Obama who has achieved so much in his life told Barbara Walters in a 2011 interview that he regrets not having learned an instrument
By Malini Bartels
1919Style 2014
A tremendous amount of research has been done to uncover the neuroscience between brain functions and music Aside from the statistics and research music is without a doubt the universal language that unites people across barriers and beyond differences
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can actually improve academic performance There are a variety of methods to introduce music to children from the traditional classical to the more modern Finding what works best for your child and your family is an explorative process Luckily there is no shortage of options in Fort Collins with educators and performers spanning decades of experience and a multitude of resources and styles
Brad Cornick and his wife Jan started Hands on Music Academy 14 years ago in their Fort Collins home Overflowing with state-of-the-art equip-ment for recording playback and play-along their practical and unified approach to music instruction creates a fun and ldquorock starrdquo type environment for young musicians They incorporate rock bands in their music studio as a way to develop team building positive memories and group practice to achieve a common goal
ldquoWe have bands in the curriculum to bring people together with sound vibration communi-cation and lightrdquo says Brad Cornick ldquoItrsquos positive peer pressure and a great group activity Parents say their child practices more than ever when in the band Itrsquos not just about learning the music but performing it as well making friends and getting kids connected and on the same beatrdquo
The bands at Hands on Music bring students together to play music that they are familiar with It might be a classic Elvis tune that they have heard at home or a current pop hit from the radio By putting a positive spin on learning music it becomes fun and less stressful
ldquoParent involvement is key to a childrsquos successrdquo says Brad Both he and Jan stress that itrsquos important to have musical instruments in the central part of the home when children are young to avoid isolation
ldquoIt should be a family experience Introducing music to children at an early age teaches them how to engage and communicate with othersrdquo says Jan ldquoItrsquos a rich source for gaining confidence self esteem and overcoming shyness You donrsquot have to be the best to enjoy musicrdquo
Keeping music a central part of the family comes naturally for Gunter and Nicolette Bischof Shortly after moving to Fort Collins in 1995 the Bischofrsquos opened Philomusica a music school located at 2105 South College Avenue Grown from their love for the arts and natural ability to inspire people to explore music the Bischofrsquos focus on group les-sons at a very young age Philomusica begins early childhood classes from age 1 and up and teaches all age groups and abilities Even the Bischofrsquos son Nick is an instructor there specializing in trumpet piano and accordion They cater to families with children of different ages offering private lessons for one child simultaneously with group lessons for another A full list of classes can be found on wwwphilomusicacom
ldquoOur European approach is centered on the entire personality and human aspect of the child not just music instructionrdquo says Gunter ldquoMusic at
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can
actually improve academic performance
its core is one of the most divine tools to develop
a well-balanced human being Even the noblest
people from all over the world emphasize the knowledge of the
artsrdquoAll instructors at Philomusica apply a multi-
sensorial approach to teaching with the belief that a childrsquos life is improved enhanced and magnified with
the incorporation of music and movement with musicldquoChildren are sponges even when they canrsquot walkrdquo says
Nicolette ldquoParents should look at an education in music as an investment in the childrsquos life at a young agerdquoThe Bischofrsquos take pride in seeing families stay with them for
years and then watch the student graduate from high school and enter top universities colleges and even Broadway Everyone is encour-aged to foster a competitive edge with performance opportunities festivals and examinations Recently they expanded their facility to provide performance space
ldquoSometimes itrsquos just a matter of awakening the desire that is within someonerdquo chimes Gunter ldquoWe donrsquot just teach music we inspire creators leaders and thinkersrdquo Even the name of their studio says it all ndash philo and music meaning ldquolover of musicrdquo
Jephta Bernstein is a classically trained violinist with a passion for chamber music and music education She conducts afterschool and in-school programs at a variety of locations within the Poudre School District and coaches some students in small chamber music ensembles this gives students a chance to perform in a constructive environment with coaches and feedback
As the Executive Artistic Director and Founder of the non-profit PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Music she is currently in the process of assembling the third season of the annual Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival taking place in Fort Collins June 10-22 The festival blends music of today and yesterday in interactive and thought-provoking ways appealing to audience members of all ages and various walks of life
ldquoThe festival is wonderful for childrenrdquo notes Bernstein ldquoThey can see a story bloom from a piece of music learn how to listen intently to what they hear and hopefully take what they learn to their next experiencerdquo
The Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival primarily involves western classical music and is designed to take children of a certain skill level to the next level of inspiration with their music Family concerts creativity seminars and workshops are all a part of the experience and open for anyone to have an interactive encounter with classical music More information about the festival is found at wwwprojectchambermusicorg
ldquoI think music is the best activity you can get your kids involved in especially for grades Kindergarten to fifth graderdquo says Bernstein ldquoAll the connective body movement you do along with all the coordination is very brain-enriching Exposing yourself to new ideas and getting connected to others is keyrdquo
Malini Bartels is a freelance writer chef mother radio host and actress living the good life in Fort Collins
2020 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
2121Style 2014
Boomer Music Company3761 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2424wwwboomermusiccompanycom
The Academy of Guitar5616 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2466wwwacademyofguitarnet
Colorado Drum and Percussion256 Linden St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 416-0369wwwcoloradodrumcom
Spotlight Music Store4606 S Mason St Ft Collins CO 80525(970) 377-8066wwwspotlightmusicstorecom
The Piano Institute2839 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 206-4930wwwpianoinstitutellccom
Guitar Center813 E Harmony Rd Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 204-0220wwwguitarcentercom
The Repair Shop2321 E Mulberry St(970) 493-2806wwwtrshopusacom
Magnolia Music Studio210 W Magnolia St 10 Fort Collins CO 80521(970) 481-8661wwwmagnoliamusicstudiocom
Philomusica2105 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 419-8801wwwphilomusicacom
PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Musicwwwprojectchambermusicorg
Hands on Music Academy2856 Sitting Bull Way Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 207-9111
Foundation Music School3501 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 407-9084wwwfoundationmusicschoolorg
Sera Schoolswwwseraschoolscomlarimer-county
Murphy Violin Shop1819 W Prospect Rd Fort Collins CO 80526(970) 224-4865wwwmurphyviolinscom
Piano Center of the Rockies2721 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 282-9171wwwpianocenteroftherockiescom
Music Go Round2925 South College Avenue970-204-9262wwwmusicgoroundfortcollinscom
Fort Collins Music Teachers Associationwwwfcmtaorg
ResourceGuide forMusic bull Lessonsbull Tuningbull Purchasingin Fort Collins
22
23
Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument
bull Increases your IQ and the capacity of your memory
bull Refines time management and organizational skills
bull Relieves stress
bull Boosts team skills
bull Teaches perseverance
bull Enhances coordination
bull Betters mathematical ability
bull Improves reading and comprehension skills
bull Gives you a sense of achievement
bull Exposes you to cultural history
bull Sharpens concentration
bull Fosters self-expression
bull Creates a sense of achievement
bull Promotes social skills
bull Boosts listening skills
bull Teaches discipline
bull Elevates performance skills and reduces stage fright
bull Enhances respiratory system
bull Promotes happiness in your life and those around you
ndash Based on an article by Michael Matthews wwweffectivemusicteachingcom
24 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
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Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
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A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
1616 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kay Rios
Thermal Shades Control Energy Costs
Heat loss and heat gain are concerns for every home or business particularly in an area that enjoys so many days of sunshine The trick is to keep the heat out in the summer and prevent it from escaping during the winter Quality windows can help
along with putting up blinds drapes or anything that can block the heat transfer But with the addition of window coverings the view and natural light are often blocked
Rick Romano owner Thermal Shields amp Shades
business profile
Enter Thermal Shields amp Shades a Fort Col-lins business offering an energy efficient window insulator that can cut down on energy costs by reducing heating and cooling demands At the same time Thermal Shields wonrsquot obscure views or block incoming light
ldquoItrsquos like fine sunglasses for your windowsrdquo says Rick Romano Thermal Shields amp Shades owner
Thermal Shields are made of a polyester material based on a concept designed by NASA years ago ldquoThe material was being made for shades used in air traffic control towers It was a flat piece of film on a rollerrdquo
That didnrsquot quite do the job Romano says ldquoAfter a while it would curl and the sides were open to air infiltration We added our patented scoring system and our tracking system and eliminated those problemsrdquo The scoring system not only gives it a louvered look but it increases the tensile strength of the material
Thermal Shields are installed on the interior side of windows or glass areas and mounted in a patented wood track system so they glide easily to raise or lower as needed With the tracking Thermal Shields can be operated either manually or automatically with an electrical wall switch a handheld remote voice activation or a heat sensor
It can be retro-fitted to any window or sliding doors regardless of shape or size
ldquoThe space created behind the Thermal Shield acts as insulation During the winter it traps cold air behind the shield and the heat produced inside the house is reflected back into the room In the summer it reflects the sunrsquos heat back outsiderdquo Romano says The overall effect is a reduction in both air conditioning and heat requirements depending on the season In addition Thermal Shields greatly increase your comfort level
Thermal Shields can be used with any other window treatment or installed on its own he says It can be used in homes businesses greenhouses and sun spaces Romano installed Thermal Shields at the Colorado Welcome Center where 47 win-dows face the west There the air conditioning ran nonstop even in winter says Romano but after the shields were installed the ac need was cut drastically but the view was not obstructed
Another plus to Thermal Shields is that there are no toxic chemicals involved ldquoThousands of people are affected by multiple chemical sensitivityrdquo he says Because of that more people are building green homes He recently outfitted just such a home ldquoThere are no chemicals in the product no fire retardants and it will not support a flame
It will just melt with no toxic fumesrdquo Romano began making draperies 45 years ago
and for a time ran his own remodeling business He saw the struggle to control heat loss and gain and found a niche in the market He developed his patented product some 30 years ago and when he and his wife Toni left Buck County Penn to come to Colorado he brought it with him creating the family-owned operation here in 1984
Thermal Shields have been installed in 19 states and four countries including Alaska Mexico Canada and Japan ldquoWe get hits from all over the worldrdquo he says ldquoWersquore now working to build up dealers accross the US and just added one in Las Vegasrdquo
In addition to energy saving window treatments the business offers other custom made alternatives including shutters and awnings But with any of the products he offers his customer service pledge remains the same ldquoI wonrsquot just sell my customers a product I help them ascertain what they want to achieve Wersquore not just selling Thermal Shields wersquore providing benefitsrdquo
For more information call (970) 224-5716 email thshieldsmsncom or check the website
wwwthermalshieldscom
1717Style 2014
1625 Pelican Lakes Point Suite 201 | Windsor CO9706741100 | wwwwatervalleycom
Best food Best views
1818 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Music of the heart and for the Mind
Many would say itrsquos a life skill as necessary as learning how to ride a bike Knowing how to play an instrument is beneficial is a variety of ways and what better way to enrich the spirit than with music
Even President Obama who has achieved so much in his life told Barbara Walters in a 2011 interview that he regrets not having learned an instrument
By Malini Bartels
1919Style 2014
A tremendous amount of research has been done to uncover the neuroscience between brain functions and music Aside from the statistics and research music is without a doubt the universal language that unites people across barriers and beyond differences
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can actually improve academic performance There are a variety of methods to introduce music to children from the traditional classical to the more modern Finding what works best for your child and your family is an explorative process Luckily there is no shortage of options in Fort Collins with educators and performers spanning decades of experience and a multitude of resources and styles
Brad Cornick and his wife Jan started Hands on Music Academy 14 years ago in their Fort Collins home Overflowing with state-of-the-art equip-ment for recording playback and play-along their practical and unified approach to music instruction creates a fun and ldquorock starrdquo type environment for young musicians They incorporate rock bands in their music studio as a way to develop team building positive memories and group practice to achieve a common goal
ldquoWe have bands in the curriculum to bring people together with sound vibration communi-cation and lightrdquo says Brad Cornick ldquoItrsquos positive peer pressure and a great group activity Parents say their child practices more than ever when in the band Itrsquos not just about learning the music but performing it as well making friends and getting kids connected and on the same beatrdquo
The bands at Hands on Music bring students together to play music that they are familiar with It might be a classic Elvis tune that they have heard at home or a current pop hit from the radio By putting a positive spin on learning music it becomes fun and less stressful
ldquoParent involvement is key to a childrsquos successrdquo says Brad Both he and Jan stress that itrsquos important to have musical instruments in the central part of the home when children are young to avoid isolation
ldquoIt should be a family experience Introducing music to children at an early age teaches them how to engage and communicate with othersrdquo says Jan ldquoItrsquos a rich source for gaining confidence self esteem and overcoming shyness You donrsquot have to be the best to enjoy musicrdquo
Keeping music a central part of the family comes naturally for Gunter and Nicolette Bischof Shortly after moving to Fort Collins in 1995 the Bischofrsquos opened Philomusica a music school located at 2105 South College Avenue Grown from their love for the arts and natural ability to inspire people to explore music the Bischofrsquos focus on group les-sons at a very young age Philomusica begins early childhood classes from age 1 and up and teaches all age groups and abilities Even the Bischofrsquos son Nick is an instructor there specializing in trumpet piano and accordion They cater to families with children of different ages offering private lessons for one child simultaneously with group lessons for another A full list of classes can be found on wwwphilomusicacom
ldquoOur European approach is centered on the entire personality and human aspect of the child not just music instructionrdquo says Gunter ldquoMusic at
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can
actually improve academic performance
its core is one of the most divine tools to develop
a well-balanced human being Even the noblest
people from all over the world emphasize the knowledge of the
artsrdquoAll instructors at Philomusica apply a multi-
sensorial approach to teaching with the belief that a childrsquos life is improved enhanced and magnified with
the incorporation of music and movement with musicldquoChildren are sponges even when they canrsquot walkrdquo says
Nicolette ldquoParents should look at an education in music as an investment in the childrsquos life at a young agerdquoThe Bischofrsquos take pride in seeing families stay with them for
years and then watch the student graduate from high school and enter top universities colleges and even Broadway Everyone is encour-aged to foster a competitive edge with performance opportunities festivals and examinations Recently they expanded their facility to provide performance space
ldquoSometimes itrsquos just a matter of awakening the desire that is within someonerdquo chimes Gunter ldquoWe donrsquot just teach music we inspire creators leaders and thinkersrdquo Even the name of their studio says it all ndash philo and music meaning ldquolover of musicrdquo
Jephta Bernstein is a classically trained violinist with a passion for chamber music and music education She conducts afterschool and in-school programs at a variety of locations within the Poudre School District and coaches some students in small chamber music ensembles this gives students a chance to perform in a constructive environment with coaches and feedback
As the Executive Artistic Director and Founder of the non-profit PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Music she is currently in the process of assembling the third season of the annual Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival taking place in Fort Collins June 10-22 The festival blends music of today and yesterday in interactive and thought-provoking ways appealing to audience members of all ages and various walks of life
ldquoThe festival is wonderful for childrenrdquo notes Bernstein ldquoThey can see a story bloom from a piece of music learn how to listen intently to what they hear and hopefully take what they learn to their next experiencerdquo
The Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival primarily involves western classical music and is designed to take children of a certain skill level to the next level of inspiration with their music Family concerts creativity seminars and workshops are all a part of the experience and open for anyone to have an interactive encounter with classical music More information about the festival is found at wwwprojectchambermusicorg
ldquoI think music is the best activity you can get your kids involved in especially for grades Kindergarten to fifth graderdquo says Bernstein ldquoAll the connective body movement you do along with all the coordination is very brain-enriching Exposing yourself to new ideas and getting connected to others is keyrdquo
Malini Bartels is a freelance writer chef mother radio host and actress living the good life in Fort Collins
2020 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
2121Style 2014
Boomer Music Company3761 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2424wwwboomermusiccompanycom
The Academy of Guitar5616 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2466wwwacademyofguitarnet
Colorado Drum and Percussion256 Linden St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 416-0369wwwcoloradodrumcom
Spotlight Music Store4606 S Mason St Ft Collins CO 80525(970) 377-8066wwwspotlightmusicstorecom
The Piano Institute2839 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 206-4930wwwpianoinstitutellccom
Guitar Center813 E Harmony Rd Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 204-0220wwwguitarcentercom
The Repair Shop2321 E Mulberry St(970) 493-2806wwwtrshopusacom
Magnolia Music Studio210 W Magnolia St 10 Fort Collins CO 80521(970) 481-8661wwwmagnoliamusicstudiocom
Philomusica2105 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 419-8801wwwphilomusicacom
PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Musicwwwprojectchambermusicorg
Hands on Music Academy2856 Sitting Bull Way Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 207-9111
Foundation Music School3501 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 407-9084wwwfoundationmusicschoolorg
Sera Schoolswwwseraschoolscomlarimer-county
Murphy Violin Shop1819 W Prospect Rd Fort Collins CO 80526(970) 224-4865wwwmurphyviolinscom
Piano Center of the Rockies2721 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 282-9171wwwpianocenteroftherockiescom
Music Go Round2925 South College Avenue970-204-9262wwwmusicgoroundfortcollinscom
Fort Collins Music Teachers Associationwwwfcmtaorg
ResourceGuide forMusic bull Lessonsbull Tuningbull Purchasingin Fort Collins
22
23
Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument
bull Increases your IQ and the capacity of your memory
bull Refines time management and organizational skills
bull Relieves stress
bull Boosts team skills
bull Teaches perseverance
bull Enhances coordination
bull Betters mathematical ability
bull Improves reading and comprehension skills
bull Gives you a sense of achievement
bull Exposes you to cultural history
bull Sharpens concentration
bull Fosters self-expression
bull Creates a sense of achievement
bull Promotes social skills
bull Boosts listening skills
bull Teaches discipline
bull Elevates performance skills and reduces stage fright
bull Enhances respiratory system
bull Promotes happiness in your life and those around you
ndash Based on an article by Michael Matthews wwweffectivemusicteachingcom
24 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
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Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
1717Style 2014
1625 Pelican Lakes Point Suite 201 | Windsor CO9706741100 | wwwwatervalleycom
Best food Best views
1818 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Music of the heart and for the Mind
Many would say itrsquos a life skill as necessary as learning how to ride a bike Knowing how to play an instrument is beneficial is a variety of ways and what better way to enrich the spirit than with music
Even President Obama who has achieved so much in his life told Barbara Walters in a 2011 interview that he regrets not having learned an instrument
By Malini Bartels
1919Style 2014
A tremendous amount of research has been done to uncover the neuroscience between brain functions and music Aside from the statistics and research music is without a doubt the universal language that unites people across barriers and beyond differences
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can actually improve academic performance There are a variety of methods to introduce music to children from the traditional classical to the more modern Finding what works best for your child and your family is an explorative process Luckily there is no shortage of options in Fort Collins with educators and performers spanning decades of experience and a multitude of resources and styles
Brad Cornick and his wife Jan started Hands on Music Academy 14 years ago in their Fort Collins home Overflowing with state-of-the-art equip-ment for recording playback and play-along their practical and unified approach to music instruction creates a fun and ldquorock starrdquo type environment for young musicians They incorporate rock bands in their music studio as a way to develop team building positive memories and group practice to achieve a common goal
ldquoWe have bands in the curriculum to bring people together with sound vibration communi-cation and lightrdquo says Brad Cornick ldquoItrsquos positive peer pressure and a great group activity Parents say their child practices more than ever when in the band Itrsquos not just about learning the music but performing it as well making friends and getting kids connected and on the same beatrdquo
The bands at Hands on Music bring students together to play music that they are familiar with It might be a classic Elvis tune that they have heard at home or a current pop hit from the radio By putting a positive spin on learning music it becomes fun and less stressful
ldquoParent involvement is key to a childrsquos successrdquo says Brad Both he and Jan stress that itrsquos important to have musical instruments in the central part of the home when children are young to avoid isolation
ldquoIt should be a family experience Introducing music to children at an early age teaches them how to engage and communicate with othersrdquo says Jan ldquoItrsquos a rich source for gaining confidence self esteem and overcoming shyness You donrsquot have to be the best to enjoy musicrdquo
Keeping music a central part of the family comes naturally for Gunter and Nicolette Bischof Shortly after moving to Fort Collins in 1995 the Bischofrsquos opened Philomusica a music school located at 2105 South College Avenue Grown from their love for the arts and natural ability to inspire people to explore music the Bischofrsquos focus on group les-sons at a very young age Philomusica begins early childhood classes from age 1 and up and teaches all age groups and abilities Even the Bischofrsquos son Nick is an instructor there specializing in trumpet piano and accordion They cater to families with children of different ages offering private lessons for one child simultaneously with group lessons for another A full list of classes can be found on wwwphilomusicacom
ldquoOur European approach is centered on the entire personality and human aspect of the child not just music instructionrdquo says Gunter ldquoMusic at
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can
actually improve academic performance
its core is one of the most divine tools to develop
a well-balanced human being Even the noblest
people from all over the world emphasize the knowledge of the
artsrdquoAll instructors at Philomusica apply a multi-
sensorial approach to teaching with the belief that a childrsquos life is improved enhanced and magnified with
the incorporation of music and movement with musicldquoChildren are sponges even when they canrsquot walkrdquo says
Nicolette ldquoParents should look at an education in music as an investment in the childrsquos life at a young agerdquoThe Bischofrsquos take pride in seeing families stay with them for
years and then watch the student graduate from high school and enter top universities colleges and even Broadway Everyone is encour-aged to foster a competitive edge with performance opportunities festivals and examinations Recently they expanded their facility to provide performance space
ldquoSometimes itrsquos just a matter of awakening the desire that is within someonerdquo chimes Gunter ldquoWe donrsquot just teach music we inspire creators leaders and thinkersrdquo Even the name of their studio says it all ndash philo and music meaning ldquolover of musicrdquo
Jephta Bernstein is a classically trained violinist with a passion for chamber music and music education She conducts afterschool and in-school programs at a variety of locations within the Poudre School District and coaches some students in small chamber music ensembles this gives students a chance to perform in a constructive environment with coaches and feedback
As the Executive Artistic Director and Founder of the non-profit PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Music she is currently in the process of assembling the third season of the annual Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival taking place in Fort Collins June 10-22 The festival blends music of today and yesterday in interactive and thought-provoking ways appealing to audience members of all ages and various walks of life
ldquoThe festival is wonderful for childrenrdquo notes Bernstein ldquoThey can see a story bloom from a piece of music learn how to listen intently to what they hear and hopefully take what they learn to their next experiencerdquo
The Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival primarily involves western classical music and is designed to take children of a certain skill level to the next level of inspiration with their music Family concerts creativity seminars and workshops are all a part of the experience and open for anyone to have an interactive encounter with classical music More information about the festival is found at wwwprojectchambermusicorg
ldquoI think music is the best activity you can get your kids involved in especially for grades Kindergarten to fifth graderdquo says Bernstein ldquoAll the connective body movement you do along with all the coordination is very brain-enriching Exposing yourself to new ideas and getting connected to others is keyrdquo
Malini Bartels is a freelance writer chef mother radio host and actress living the good life in Fort Collins
2020 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
2121Style 2014
Boomer Music Company3761 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2424wwwboomermusiccompanycom
The Academy of Guitar5616 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2466wwwacademyofguitarnet
Colorado Drum and Percussion256 Linden St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 416-0369wwwcoloradodrumcom
Spotlight Music Store4606 S Mason St Ft Collins CO 80525(970) 377-8066wwwspotlightmusicstorecom
The Piano Institute2839 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 206-4930wwwpianoinstitutellccom
Guitar Center813 E Harmony Rd Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 204-0220wwwguitarcentercom
The Repair Shop2321 E Mulberry St(970) 493-2806wwwtrshopusacom
Magnolia Music Studio210 W Magnolia St 10 Fort Collins CO 80521(970) 481-8661wwwmagnoliamusicstudiocom
Philomusica2105 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 419-8801wwwphilomusicacom
PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Musicwwwprojectchambermusicorg
Hands on Music Academy2856 Sitting Bull Way Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 207-9111
Foundation Music School3501 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 407-9084wwwfoundationmusicschoolorg
Sera Schoolswwwseraschoolscomlarimer-county
Murphy Violin Shop1819 W Prospect Rd Fort Collins CO 80526(970) 224-4865wwwmurphyviolinscom
Piano Center of the Rockies2721 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 282-9171wwwpianocenteroftherockiescom
Music Go Round2925 South College Avenue970-204-9262wwwmusicgoroundfortcollinscom
Fort Collins Music Teachers Associationwwwfcmtaorg
ResourceGuide forMusic bull Lessonsbull Tuningbull Purchasingin Fort Collins
22
23
Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument
bull Increases your IQ and the capacity of your memory
bull Refines time management and organizational skills
bull Relieves stress
bull Boosts team skills
bull Teaches perseverance
bull Enhances coordination
bull Betters mathematical ability
bull Improves reading and comprehension skills
bull Gives you a sense of achievement
bull Exposes you to cultural history
bull Sharpens concentration
bull Fosters self-expression
bull Creates a sense of achievement
bull Promotes social skills
bull Boosts listening skills
bull Teaches discipline
bull Elevates performance skills and reduces stage fright
bull Enhances respiratory system
bull Promotes happiness in your life and those around you
ndash Based on an article by Michael Matthews wwweffectivemusicteachingcom
24 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
For all of your custom stone needs There is only one choice
Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
1818 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Music of the heart and for the Mind
Many would say itrsquos a life skill as necessary as learning how to ride a bike Knowing how to play an instrument is beneficial is a variety of ways and what better way to enrich the spirit than with music
Even President Obama who has achieved so much in his life told Barbara Walters in a 2011 interview that he regrets not having learned an instrument
By Malini Bartels
1919Style 2014
A tremendous amount of research has been done to uncover the neuroscience between brain functions and music Aside from the statistics and research music is without a doubt the universal language that unites people across barriers and beyond differences
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can actually improve academic performance There are a variety of methods to introduce music to children from the traditional classical to the more modern Finding what works best for your child and your family is an explorative process Luckily there is no shortage of options in Fort Collins with educators and performers spanning decades of experience and a multitude of resources and styles
Brad Cornick and his wife Jan started Hands on Music Academy 14 years ago in their Fort Collins home Overflowing with state-of-the-art equip-ment for recording playback and play-along their practical and unified approach to music instruction creates a fun and ldquorock starrdquo type environment for young musicians They incorporate rock bands in their music studio as a way to develop team building positive memories and group practice to achieve a common goal
ldquoWe have bands in the curriculum to bring people together with sound vibration communi-cation and lightrdquo says Brad Cornick ldquoItrsquos positive peer pressure and a great group activity Parents say their child practices more than ever when in the band Itrsquos not just about learning the music but performing it as well making friends and getting kids connected and on the same beatrdquo
The bands at Hands on Music bring students together to play music that they are familiar with It might be a classic Elvis tune that they have heard at home or a current pop hit from the radio By putting a positive spin on learning music it becomes fun and less stressful
ldquoParent involvement is key to a childrsquos successrdquo says Brad Both he and Jan stress that itrsquos important to have musical instruments in the central part of the home when children are young to avoid isolation
ldquoIt should be a family experience Introducing music to children at an early age teaches them how to engage and communicate with othersrdquo says Jan ldquoItrsquos a rich source for gaining confidence self esteem and overcoming shyness You donrsquot have to be the best to enjoy musicrdquo
Keeping music a central part of the family comes naturally for Gunter and Nicolette Bischof Shortly after moving to Fort Collins in 1995 the Bischofrsquos opened Philomusica a music school located at 2105 South College Avenue Grown from their love for the arts and natural ability to inspire people to explore music the Bischofrsquos focus on group les-sons at a very young age Philomusica begins early childhood classes from age 1 and up and teaches all age groups and abilities Even the Bischofrsquos son Nick is an instructor there specializing in trumpet piano and accordion They cater to families with children of different ages offering private lessons for one child simultaneously with group lessons for another A full list of classes can be found on wwwphilomusicacom
ldquoOur European approach is centered on the entire personality and human aspect of the child not just music instructionrdquo says Gunter ldquoMusic at
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can
actually improve academic performance
its core is one of the most divine tools to develop
a well-balanced human being Even the noblest
people from all over the world emphasize the knowledge of the
artsrdquoAll instructors at Philomusica apply a multi-
sensorial approach to teaching with the belief that a childrsquos life is improved enhanced and magnified with
the incorporation of music and movement with musicldquoChildren are sponges even when they canrsquot walkrdquo says
Nicolette ldquoParents should look at an education in music as an investment in the childrsquos life at a young agerdquoThe Bischofrsquos take pride in seeing families stay with them for
years and then watch the student graduate from high school and enter top universities colleges and even Broadway Everyone is encour-aged to foster a competitive edge with performance opportunities festivals and examinations Recently they expanded their facility to provide performance space
ldquoSometimes itrsquos just a matter of awakening the desire that is within someonerdquo chimes Gunter ldquoWe donrsquot just teach music we inspire creators leaders and thinkersrdquo Even the name of their studio says it all ndash philo and music meaning ldquolover of musicrdquo
Jephta Bernstein is a classically trained violinist with a passion for chamber music and music education She conducts afterschool and in-school programs at a variety of locations within the Poudre School District and coaches some students in small chamber music ensembles this gives students a chance to perform in a constructive environment with coaches and feedback
As the Executive Artistic Director and Founder of the non-profit PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Music she is currently in the process of assembling the third season of the annual Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival taking place in Fort Collins June 10-22 The festival blends music of today and yesterday in interactive and thought-provoking ways appealing to audience members of all ages and various walks of life
ldquoThe festival is wonderful for childrenrdquo notes Bernstein ldquoThey can see a story bloom from a piece of music learn how to listen intently to what they hear and hopefully take what they learn to their next experiencerdquo
The Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival primarily involves western classical music and is designed to take children of a certain skill level to the next level of inspiration with their music Family concerts creativity seminars and workshops are all a part of the experience and open for anyone to have an interactive encounter with classical music More information about the festival is found at wwwprojectchambermusicorg
ldquoI think music is the best activity you can get your kids involved in especially for grades Kindergarten to fifth graderdquo says Bernstein ldquoAll the connective body movement you do along with all the coordination is very brain-enriching Exposing yourself to new ideas and getting connected to others is keyrdquo
Malini Bartels is a freelance writer chef mother radio host and actress living the good life in Fort Collins
2020 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
2121Style 2014
Boomer Music Company3761 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2424wwwboomermusiccompanycom
The Academy of Guitar5616 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2466wwwacademyofguitarnet
Colorado Drum and Percussion256 Linden St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 416-0369wwwcoloradodrumcom
Spotlight Music Store4606 S Mason St Ft Collins CO 80525(970) 377-8066wwwspotlightmusicstorecom
The Piano Institute2839 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 206-4930wwwpianoinstitutellccom
Guitar Center813 E Harmony Rd Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 204-0220wwwguitarcentercom
The Repair Shop2321 E Mulberry St(970) 493-2806wwwtrshopusacom
Magnolia Music Studio210 W Magnolia St 10 Fort Collins CO 80521(970) 481-8661wwwmagnoliamusicstudiocom
Philomusica2105 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 419-8801wwwphilomusicacom
PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Musicwwwprojectchambermusicorg
Hands on Music Academy2856 Sitting Bull Way Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 207-9111
Foundation Music School3501 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 407-9084wwwfoundationmusicschoolorg
Sera Schoolswwwseraschoolscomlarimer-county
Murphy Violin Shop1819 W Prospect Rd Fort Collins CO 80526(970) 224-4865wwwmurphyviolinscom
Piano Center of the Rockies2721 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 282-9171wwwpianocenteroftherockiescom
Music Go Round2925 South College Avenue970-204-9262wwwmusicgoroundfortcollinscom
Fort Collins Music Teachers Associationwwwfcmtaorg
ResourceGuide forMusic bull Lessonsbull Tuningbull Purchasingin Fort Collins
22
23
Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument
bull Increases your IQ and the capacity of your memory
bull Refines time management and organizational skills
bull Relieves stress
bull Boosts team skills
bull Teaches perseverance
bull Enhances coordination
bull Betters mathematical ability
bull Improves reading and comprehension skills
bull Gives you a sense of achievement
bull Exposes you to cultural history
bull Sharpens concentration
bull Fosters self-expression
bull Creates a sense of achievement
bull Promotes social skills
bull Boosts listening skills
bull Teaches discipline
bull Elevates performance skills and reduces stage fright
bull Enhances respiratory system
bull Promotes happiness in your life and those around you
ndash Based on an article by Michael Matthews wwweffectivemusicteachingcom
24 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
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lutio
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2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
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Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
1919Style 2014
A tremendous amount of research has been done to uncover the neuroscience between brain functions and music Aside from the statistics and research music is without a doubt the universal language that unites people across barriers and beyond differences
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can actually improve academic performance There are a variety of methods to introduce music to children from the traditional classical to the more modern Finding what works best for your child and your family is an explorative process Luckily there is no shortage of options in Fort Collins with educators and performers spanning decades of experience and a multitude of resources and styles
Brad Cornick and his wife Jan started Hands on Music Academy 14 years ago in their Fort Collins home Overflowing with state-of-the-art equip-ment for recording playback and play-along their practical and unified approach to music instruction creates a fun and ldquorock starrdquo type environment for young musicians They incorporate rock bands in their music studio as a way to develop team building positive memories and group practice to achieve a common goal
ldquoWe have bands in the curriculum to bring people together with sound vibration communi-cation and lightrdquo says Brad Cornick ldquoItrsquos positive peer pressure and a great group activity Parents say their child practices more than ever when in the band Itrsquos not just about learning the music but performing it as well making friends and getting kids connected and on the same beatrdquo
The bands at Hands on Music bring students together to play music that they are familiar with It might be a classic Elvis tune that they have heard at home or a current pop hit from the radio By putting a positive spin on learning music it becomes fun and less stressful
ldquoParent involvement is key to a childrsquos successrdquo says Brad Both he and Jan stress that itrsquos important to have musical instruments in the central part of the home when children are young to avoid isolation
ldquoIt should be a family experience Introducing music to children at an early age teaches them how to engage and communicate with othersrdquo says Jan ldquoItrsquos a rich source for gaining confidence self esteem and overcoming shyness You donrsquot have to be the best to enjoy musicrdquo
Keeping music a central part of the family comes naturally for Gunter and Nicolette Bischof Shortly after moving to Fort Collins in 1995 the Bischofrsquos opened Philomusica a music school located at 2105 South College Avenue Grown from their love for the arts and natural ability to inspire people to explore music the Bischofrsquos focus on group les-sons at a very young age Philomusica begins early childhood classes from age 1 and up and teaches all age groups and abilities Even the Bischofrsquos son Nick is an instructor there specializing in trumpet piano and accordion They cater to families with children of different ages offering private lessons for one child simultaneously with group lessons for another A full list of classes can be found on wwwphilomusicacom
ldquoOur European approach is centered on the entire personality and human aspect of the child not just music instructionrdquo says Gunter ldquoMusic at
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can
actually improve academic performance
its core is one of the most divine tools to develop
a well-balanced human being Even the noblest
people from all over the world emphasize the knowledge of the
artsrdquoAll instructors at Philomusica apply a multi-
sensorial approach to teaching with the belief that a childrsquos life is improved enhanced and magnified with
the incorporation of music and movement with musicldquoChildren are sponges even when they canrsquot walkrdquo says
Nicolette ldquoParents should look at an education in music as an investment in the childrsquos life at a young agerdquoThe Bischofrsquos take pride in seeing families stay with them for
years and then watch the student graduate from high school and enter top universities colleges and even Broadway Everyone is encour-aged to foster a competitive edge with performance opportunities festivals and examinations Recently they expanded their facility to provide performance space
ldquoSometimes itrsquos just a matter of awakening the desire that is within someonerdquo chimes Gunter ldquoWe donrsquot just teach music we inspire creators leaders and thinkersrdquo Even the name of their studio says it all ndash philo and music meaning ldquolover of musicrdquo
Jephta Bernstein is a classically trained violinist with a passion for chamber music and music education She conducts afterschool and in-school programs at a variety of locations within the Poudre School District and coaches some students in small chamber music ensembles this gives students a chance to perform in a constructive environment with coaches and feedback
As the Executive Artistic Director and Founder of the non-profit PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Music she is currently in the process of assembling the third season of the annual Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival taking place in Fort Collins June 10-22 The festival blends music of today and yesterday in interactive and thought-provoking ways appealing to audience members of all ages and various walks of life
ldquoThe festival is wonderful for childrenrdquo notes Bernstein ldquoThey can see a story bloom from a piece of music learn how to listen intently to what they hear and hopefully take what they learn to their next experiencerdquo
The Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival primarily involves western classical music and is designed to take children of a certain skill level to the next level of inspiration with their music Family concerts creativity seminars and workshops are all a part of the experience and open for anyone to have an interactive encounter with classical music More information about the festival is found at wwwprojectchambermusicorg
ldquoI think music is the best activity you can get your kids involved in especially for grades Kindergarten to fifth graderdquo says Bernstein ldquoAll the connective body movement you do along with all the coordination is very brain-enriching Exposing yourself to new ideas and getting connected to others is keyrdquo
Malini Bartels is a freelance writer chef mother radio host and actress living the good life in Fort Collins
2020 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
2121Style 2014
Boomer Music Company3761 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2424wwwboomermusiccompanycom
The Academy of Guitar5616 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2466wwwacademyofguitarnet
Colorado Drum and Percussion256 Linden St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 416-0369wwwcoloradodrumcom
Spotlight Music Store4606 S Mason St Ft Collins CO 80525(970) 377-8066wwwspotlightmusicstorecom
The Piano Institute2839 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 206-4930wwwpianoinstitutellccom
Guitar Center813 E Harmony Rd Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 204-0220wwwguitarcentercom
The Repair Shop2321 E Mulberry St(970) 493-2806wwwtrshopusacom
Magnolia Music Studio210 W Magnolia St 10 Fort Collins CO 80521(970) 481-8661wwwmagnoliamusicstudiocom
Philomusica2105 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 419-8801wwwphilomusicacom
PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Musicwwwprojectchambermusicorg
Hands on Music Academy2856 Sitting Bull Way Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 207-9111
Foundation Music School3501 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 407-9084wwwfoundationmusicschoolorg
Sera Schoolswwwseraschoolscomlarimer-county
Murphy Violin Shop1819 W Prospect Rd Fort Collins CO 80526(970) 224-4865wwwmurphyviolinscom
Piano Center of the Rockies2721 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 282-9171wwwpianocenteroftherockiescom
Music Go Round2925 South College Avenue970-204-9262wwwmusicgoroundfortcollinscom
Fort Collins Music Teachers Associationwwwfcmtaorg
ResourceGuide forMusic bull Lessonsbull Tuningbull Purchasingin Fort Collins
22
23
Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument
bull Increases your IQ and the capacity of your memory
bull Refines time management and organizational skills
bull Relieves stress
bull Boosts team skills
bull Teaches perseverance
bull Enhances coordination
bull Betters mathematical ability
bull Improves reading and comprehension skills
bull Gives you a sense of achievement
bull Exposes you to cultural history
bull Sharpens concentration
bull Fosters self-expression
bull Creates a sense of achievement
bull Promotes social skills
bull Boosts listening skills
bull Teaches discipline
bull Elevates performance skills and reduces stage fright
bull Enhances respiratory system
bull Promotes happiness in your life and those around you
ndash Based on an article by Michael Matthews wwweffectivemusicteachingcom
24 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
For all of your custom stone needs There is only one choice
Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
Incorporating music instruction at an early age enhances a childrsquos skill set in a number of ways and can
actually improve academic performance
its core is one of the most divine tools to develop
a well-balanced human being Even the noblest
people from all over the world emphasize the knowledge of the
artsrdquoAll instructors at Philomusica apply a multi-
sensorial approach to teaching with the belief that a childrsquos life is improved enhanced and magnified with
the incorporation of music and movement with musicldquoChildren are sponges even when they canrsquot walkrdquo says
Nicolette ldquoParents should look at an education in music as an investment in the childrsquos life at a young agerdquoThe Bischofrsquos take pride in seeing families stay with them for
years and then watch the student graduate from high school and enter top universities colleges and even Broadway Everyone is encour-aged to foster a competitive edge with performance opportunities festivals and examinations Recently they expanded their facility to provide performance space
ldquoSometimes itrsquos just a matter of awakening the desire that is within someonerdquo chimes Gunter ldquoWe donrsquot just teach music we inspire creators leaders and thinkersrdquo Even the name of their studio says it all ndash philo and music meaning ldquolover of musicrdquo
Jephta Bernstein is a classically trained violinist with a passion for chamber music and music education She conducts afterschool and in-school programs at a variety of locations within the Poudre School District and coaches some students in small chamber music ensembles this gives students a chance to perform in a constructive environment with coaches and feedback
As the Executive Artistic Director and Founder of the non-profit PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Music she is currently in the process of assembling the third season of the annual Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival taking place in Fort Collins June 10-22 The festival blends music of today and yesterday in interactive and thought-provoking ways appealing to audience members of all ages and various walks of life
ldquoThe festival is wonderful for childrenrdquo notes Bernstein ldquoThey can see a story bloom from a piece of music learn how to listen intently to what they hear and hopefully take what they learn to their next experiencerdquo
The Off the Hook Chamber Music Festival primarily involves western classical music and is designed to take children of a certain skill level to the next level of inspiration with their music Family concerts creativity seminars and workshops are all a part of the experience and open for anyone to have an interactive encounter with classical music More information about the festival is found at wwwprojectchambermusicorg
ldquoI think music is the best activity you can get your kids involved in especially for grades Kindergarten to fifth graderdquo says Bernstein ldquoAll the connective body movement you do along with all the coordination is very brain-enriching Exposing yourself to new ideas and getting connected to others is keyrdquo
Malini Bartels is a freelance writer chef mother radio host and actress living the good life in Fort Collins
2020 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
2121Style 2014
Boomer Music Company3761 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2424wwwboomermusiccompanycom
The Academy of Guitar5616 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2466wwwacademyofguitarnet
Colorado Drum and Percussion256 Linden St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 416-0369wwwcoloradodrumcom
Spotlight Music Store4606 S Mason St Ft Collins CO 80525(970) 377-8066wwwspotlightmusicstorecom
The Piano Institute2839 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 206-4930wwwpianoinstitutellccom
Guitar Center813 E Harmony Rd Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 204-0220wwwguitarcentercom
The Repair Shop2321 E Mulberry St(970) 493-2806wwwtrshopusacom
Magnolia Music Studio210 W Magnolia St 10 Fort Collins CO 80521(970) 481-8661wwwmagnoliamusicstudiocom
Philomusica2105 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 419-8801wwwphilomusicacom
PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Musicwwwprojectchambermusicorg
Hands on Music Academy2856 Sitting Bull Way Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 207-9111
Foundation Music School3501 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 407-9084wwwfoundationmusicschoolorg
Sera Schoolswwwseraschoolscomlarimer-county
Murphy Violin Shop1819 W Prospect Rd Fort Collins CO 80526(970) 224-4865wwwmurphyviolinscom
Piano Center of the Rockies2721 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 282-9171wwwpianocenteroftherockiescom
Music Go Round2925 South College Avenue970-204-9262wwwmusicgoroundfortcollinscom
Fort Collins Music Teachers Associationwwwfcmtaorg
ResourceGuide forMusic bull Lessonsbull Tuningbull Purchasingin Fort Collins
22
23
Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument
bull Increases your IQ and the capacity of your memory
bull Refines time management and organizational skills
bull Relieves stress
bull Boosts team skills
bull Teaches perseverance
bull Enhances coordination
bull Betters mathematical ability
bull Improves reading and comprehension skills
bull Gives you a sense of achievement
bull Exposes you to cultural history
bull Sharpens concentration
bull Fosters self-expression
bull Creates a sense of achievement
bull Promotes social skills
bull Boosts listening skills
bull Teaches discipline
bull Elevates performance skills and reduces stage fright
bull Enhances respiratory system
bull Promotes happiness in your life and those around you
ndash Based on an article by Michael Matthews wwweffectivemusicteachingcom
24 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
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lutio
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2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
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Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
2121Style 2014
Boomer Music Company3761 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2424wwwboomermusiccompanycom
The Academy of Guitar5616 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2466wwwacademyofguitarnet
Colorado Drum and Percussion256 Linden St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 416-0369wwwcoloradodrumcom
Spotlight Music Store4606 S Mason St Ft Collins CO 80525(970) 377-8066wwwspotlightmusicstorecom
The Piano Institute2839 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 206-4930wwwpianoinstitutellccom
Guitar Center813 E Harmony Rd Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 204-0220wwwguitarcentercom
The Repair Shop2321 E Mulberry St(970) 493-2806wwwtrshopusacom
Magnolia Music Studio210 W Magnolia St 10 Fort Collins CO 80521(970) 481-8661wwwmagnoliamusicstudiocom
Philomusica2105 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 419-8801wwwphilomusicacom
PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Musicwwwprojectchambermusicorg
Hands on Music Academy2856 Sitting Bull Way Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 207-9111
Foundation Music School3501 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 407-9084wwwfoundationmusicschoolorg
Sera Schoolswwwseraschoolscomlarimer-county
Murphy Violin Shop1819 W Prospect Rd Fort Collins CO 80526(970) 224-4865wwwmurphyviolinscom
Piano Center of the Rockies2721 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 282-9171wwwpianocenteroftherockiescom
Music Go Round2925 South College Avenue970-204-9262wwwmusicgoroundfortcollinscom
Fort Collins Music Teachers Associationwwwfcmtaorg
ResourceGuide forMusic bull Lessonsbull Tuningbull Purchasingin Fort Collins
22
23
Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument
bull Increases your IQ and the capacity of your memory
bull Refines time management and organizational skills
bull Relieves stress
bull Boosts team skills
bull Teaches perseverance
bull Enhances coordination
bull Betters mathematical ability
bull Improves reading and comprehension skills
bull Gives you a sense of achievement
bull Exposes you to cultural history
bull Sharpens concentration
bull Fosters self-expression
bull Creates a sense of achievement
bull Promotes social skills
bull Boosts listening skills
bull Teaches discipline
bull Elevates performance skills and reduces stage fright
bull Enhances respiratory system
bull Promotes happiness in your life and those around you
ndash Based on an article by Michael Matthews wwweffectivemusicteachingcom
24 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
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variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
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5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
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A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
Boomer Music Company3761 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2424wwwboomermusiccompanycom
The Academy of Guitar5616 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 223-2466wwwacademyofguitarnet
Colorado Drum and Percussion256 Linden St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 416-0369wwwcoloradodrumcom
Spotlight Music Store4606 S Mason St Ft Collins CO 80525(970) 377-8066wwwspotlightmusicstorecom
The Piano Institute2839 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 206-4930wwwpianoinstitutellccom
Guitar Center813 E Harmony Rd Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 204-0220wwwguitarcentercom
The Repair Shop2321 E Mulberry St(970) 493-2806wwwtrshopusacom
Magnolia Music Studio210 W Magnolia St 10 Fort Collins CO 80521(970) 481-8661wwwmagnoliamusicstudiocom
Philomusica2105 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 419-8801wwwphilomusicacom
PYCH Project Youth and Chamber Musicwwwprojectchambermusicorg
Hands on Music Academy2856 Sitting Bull Way Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 207-9111
Foundation Music School3501 S Mason St Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 407-9084wwwfoundationmusicschoolorg
Sera Schoolswwwseraschoolscomlarimer-county
Murphy Violin Shop1819 W Prospect Rd Fort Collins CO 80526(970) 224-4865wwwmurphyviolinscom
Piano Center of the Rockies2721 S College Ave Fort Collins CO 80525(970) 282-9171wwwpianocenteroftherockiescom
Music Go Round2925 South College Avenue970-204-9262wwwmusicgoroundfortcollinscom
Fort Collins Music Teachers Associationwwwfcmtaorg
ResourceGuide forMusic bull Lessonsbull Tuningbull Purchasingin Fort Collins
22
23
Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument
bull Increases your IQ and the capacity of your memory
bull Refines time management and organizational skills
bull Relieves stress
bull Boosts team skills
bull Teaches perseverance
bull Enhances coordination
bull Betters mathematical ability
bull Improves reading and comprehension skills
bull Gives you a sense of achievement
bull Exposes you to cultural history
bull Sharpens concentration
bull Fosters self-expression
bull Creates a sense of achievement
bull Promotes social skills
bull Boosts listening skills
bull Teaches discipline
bull Elevates performance skills and reduces stage fright
bull Enhances respiratory system
bull Promotes happiness in your life and those around you
ndash Based on an article by Michael Matthews wwweffectivemusicteachingcom
24 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
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Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
23
Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument
bull Increases your IQ and the capacity of your memory
bull Refines time management and organizational skills
bull Relieves stress
bull Boosts team skills
bull Teaches perseverance
bull Enhances coordination
bull Betters mathematical ability
bull Improves reading and comprehension skills
bull Gives you a sense of achievement
bull Exposes you to cultural history
bull Sharpens concentration
bull Fosters self-expression
bull Creates a sense of achievement
bull Promotes social skills
bull Boosts listening skills
bull Teaches discipline
bull Elevates performance skills and reduces stage fright
bull Enhances respiratory system
bull Promotes happiness in your life and those around you
ndash Based on an article by Michael Matthews wwweffectivemusicteachingcom
24 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
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2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
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Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
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2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
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Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
24 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
For all of your custom stone needs There is only one choice
Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
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A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
Nancy Baxter
970-231-7700
Rolando Contreras
970-324-7090
Sharon Cook
970-679-9900
John Feeney
970-231-4172
Amal Gumbs
970-682-4903
James Hagerman
970-999-2816
Linda Hansen
970-988-1838
Amanda Hicks
970-581-0384
Johann Jaynes
970-800-1444
Wendi Jensen
970-545-0270
Todd Jeskulski970-391-1197
Connie Killian
970-218-6655
Lindsay Jackson970-631-3458
Tom Hoffner308-520-8578
Betsy Gammill-Hayes
719-250-5916
Carolyn LaMaster
970-690-1596
Steve Lodge
970-980-9790
Noah Harbour970-420-7860
Alex Alvarez970-980-7417
Kim Jaynes
970-397-0973
Chresa Anderson
970-310-3091
John Simmons 970-481-1250
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
luti
on
sc
om
Monique Parker
970-980-3907
Randy Payne
970-443-0234
Richard Payne Sr970-412-8414
Richard Payne Jr970-691-5222
Gabriela Perez
970-590-4971
Tracie Phebus
970-324-3371
Jena Pipher
970-691-0752
Victoria Shelley970-988-7305
Juneal Tuttle
970-391-6610
David Van Gorkom
970-217-6081
Nick Vorrath970-420-6313
Mitch Weiner
970-218-8300
Susan Stenger970-515-2161
Jane Slee
970-373-8957
Megan Rau
970-215-3330
Joy Wicks
970-412-5542
Mari Wildt
970-685-0143
Susan Propp
970-691-0754
Will Malizia
970-290-7098
Dominic Valdez
970-980-4098
Leslie Moen
970-371-7966
ww
wC
3R
ea
lEs
tate
So
lutio
ns
co
m
2720 Council Tree Ave Suite 178 | Fort Coll ins CO 805257251 W 20th Street unit D-2 | Greeley CO 80634
209 E 4th Street | Loveland 80537
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
For all of your custom stone needs There is only one choice
Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
Pianos about town
Yoursquove seen them and heard them in Old Town and Front Range Village mdash pianos painted by local artists and played by whomever happens to wander by Turn a corner and you just may be surprised
by a virtuoso student or even a toddler taking a spin on the ivories
By Michelle Venus
Pianos About Town an Art in Public Places project is a collaboration between the Bohe-mian Foundation and the Fort Collins Down-town Development Authority (DDA) The pianos made their debut during the 2010 holi-day season and were immediately successful
Inspired by British artist Luke Jerramrsquos Play Me Irsquom Yours internationally touring instal-lation and Denverrsquos 16th Street Mall project entitled Your Keys to the City the project was always intended to add a touch of whimsy and create fun experiences for residents and visitors alike Over a two week period artists paint their assigned pianos in Old Town Square under the Art in Action tent Being able to watch the progress of each piano as well as engage with the artists increases feelings of ownership and investment by the community
ldquoThe collaboration with local artists to paint
the pianos and the opportunity for spontane-ous music interactions to occur is really what wersquore going for ndash to create a unique Fort Col-lins feel to a concept that has already been successful in our state and across the globerdquo says Kristen Karabensh director for Music Programs at the Bohemian Foundation ldquoPianos About Town is just another way of enhancing the already artistic feel of Downtown Fort Collins which ultimately contributes to the vibrancy of our townrdquo
Pianos are donated by community members looking to find a new home for their unused instruments Once theyrsquove been picked up (free of charge) they are cleaned tuned prepped for painting and readied for outside elements
The Pianos About Town project is open to individual artists and artist teams which can include school groups clubs or organizations
Proposals which include a preliminary con-cept drawing are submitted in early April to a committee comprised of members of the Art in Public Places Board DDA Bohemian Foundation and a representative of the Cityrsquos purchasing department who then choose 12 to 14 artists to be given blank-canvas pianos
And thatrsquos when the magic startsldquoThe theme for this yearrsquos applications is
ldquoCelebrating Fort Collinsrsquo 150th Birthdayrdquo Concepts can include history architecture environment and nature sports and leisure community and culture or any other concept related to what makes Fort Collins uniquerdquo states Bohemianrsquos Visual Arts Administrator Ellen Martin
Once a piano has been decommissioned generally due to damage from use and expo-sure they are often repurposed in some way
ldquoHot Springldquo by Amelia Caruso (above) ldquoOctopus Octavesrdquo by Ren Burke (left top) ldquoListen to the Mockingbirdrdquo by Laurie Beth Zuckerman (left bottom) Zuckerman photo courtesy of Bohemian Foundation 26
26 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
For all of your custom stone needs There is only one choice
Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
First they are offered to the artists who cre-ated them If the artist is unable to to take his or her piano ldquo they may be used in a variety of waysrdquo explains Martin ldquoWersquove had high school teachers deconstruct them for use in school art or music projects CSU has taken them for repurposing as well as others for use in new sculptures Beyond that whatever cannot be used is recycled as much as possiblerdquo
Pianos About Town is another element that adds to the unique and creative culture that is Fort Collins Go ahead sit down and play a tune for an impromptu audience But before you get up run your hand along the piano Touch it Feel the art that was made by someone right here in our community for your enjoyment mdash and the enjoyment of hundreds of others
2727Style 2014
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
For all of your custom stone needs There is only one choice
Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
Why are you an artistRB Its what I know its what I was drawn to
Its my passion As a kid I was constantly draw-ing I was kind of an introvert and it was my way of expression
AC Because I cant help it
How would you describe your workAC I hate the word organic but its organic
in that it comes from me It balloons out through my brush and theres not really much control on my part So my paintings find the path of least resistance I dont think about it it just kind of comes out But I hate the word organic so find another word for me please
RB All of my work incorporates animals in one way or another The majority of it is light-hearted Nature is important to me I describe my work as cartoony whimsical and I dont like those words much either but I cant find a better way to describe it I do like a sense of fun in my artwork and the animals are an important part of that I do try to keep them anthropomorphized without demeaning them
AC I went to the same school Charley Harper (a modernist artist well-known for his highly stylized wildlife illustrations)
RB Get out of here
AC I knew his wife and met Charley several times and I babysat his son
RB No Really
AC Charleys sons son
RB Charley Harper
AC Charley Harper
RB Hes the boss
AC I know he is (laughter)
AC I paint dots Lots and lots of dots
Who or what inspires your workRB (laughs) Charley Harper Really Charley
Harper Graffiti artists Naturalists Cartoonists I love artists who use line in a strong way I love that quality Egon Shiele I love his work
AC Yeah
RB A lot of my artwork has a heavy sense of line Outlines I really cant point to one single artist or direction really Its just what I glean from well everything
AC There are three basic things that inspire me One I was a photography major in college so from a compositional standpoint Im influenced by all the great artists that were photographers first People like Diane Arbus ndash composition was what it was all about Number two would be contemporary artists and their use of palettehellip Rex Ray Beatriz Milhazes And the third thing are my surroundings herehellip the landscapes and the color relationships in the landscapes When I get stuck I drive up to Red Mountain whatever the season When you can see the periwinkle in the sky and the puffy clouds which are not white theyre all different colors And then thats right up against the red rock right up against the sage Those color combinations just in the top portion where the landscape meets the sky ndash I can paint that every day all day Thats so easy to find here those color relationships Thats what Im all about color
What does your piano look likeRB Which one Ive done three pianos mdash two are
retired The most recent one is Octopus Octaves They are two giant cartoony octopi Theres a big orange one on the front and a big purple one on the back with a teal background Theres a lot of pattern There are 16 tentacles and they all have their little suckers on them I painted each one of those suckers
AC Circles Circles
RB Circles And they reminded me of cinnamon rolls Theyre spirally giant pink cinnamon rolls All over Im still seeing them
AC Ive done two One had big giant black and white dots on it That one was retired The last one I did I painted in the Mall That one has different color combinations and I used metallic colors in it
How did your concept evolveRB The octopus piano was an octo-theme
Octaves coming from the music Octopus Where did it develop from Hmmmmmmm I just think octopi are fun creatures Theyre recognizable As I was painting kids were totally all about it Thats another reason I like painting the way I paint especially publicly Kids are so into the way I paint Theyre really drawn to my style Its fun Its fun relating to them
AC I paint dots
First thing youd grab if the house was on fire mdash not including people or petsAC Not including people or pets My computer
RB Yeah Its very unromantic but yeah my computer too
AC Its got all my work and my stuff Im using Contacts
RB Its got my music Its got everything
AC I do have a little red box ndash its actually not a box its a milk crate And this milk crate has my life in it And the reason I have this milk crate is because I did burn a house down I mean I didnt burn the house down my house burned down And so now I have the everything-goes-out-the-door box
RB We have a fire box
AC I have a fire box too But I also have the milk crate because it sucks when your drivers license and credit cards and other important documents burn up But the first thing would be the computer
If you could own any piece of artwork mdash any piece in the world mdash what would it beAC Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Picasso 1907
RB Similar era Id probably own the Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins
Fort Collins piano artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke discuss being artists their inspiration and the first thing theyd grab if the house was on fire
Artists Amelia Caruso and Ren Burke2828 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
For all of your custom stone needs There is only one choice
Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
Sheila BenshoofHarmony | 377-4957
Cassie HauCenterra | 679-1547
Joey PorterHarmony | 481-4814
Amy HaydenLoveland | 215-5950
Elaine C MinorHorsetooth | 215-9236
Dave MuthHarmony | 481-5963
Diana LuthiCenterra | 481-2692
Kelli CouchHorsetooth | 310-8804
Jim ChanceHorsetooth | 377-6022
Nicole HuntsmanHarmony | 402-0221
Cary IrvinCenterra | 290-7698
Dave TrujilloCenterra | 679-1550
Georgena ArnettLoveland | 481-9801
Kim KnightCenterra | 227-6093
Patti PhillipsMulberry | 419-2334
Jason BillingsMulberry | 419-2364
Jim HauanMulberry | 419-2303
Keith HuntsmanHarmony | 377-4941
Karla VanDenBergCenterra | 405-8530
Robert WalkowiczHarmony | 377-4945
Cindy BlachMulberry | 481-5821
Judy BogaardHarmony | 377-4931
Kathy ArentsMulberry | 222-1784
Joanne DeacuteLeonHarmony | 691-2501
Matt ThompsonHarmony | 443-9910
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
For all of your custom stone needs There is only one choice
Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
When you visit the farm with your kids or grandkids these are the types of conversations you will be having And lucky you there are abundant opportunities in Northern Colorado to take your wee people to experience agriculture
We wanted to see the baby chicks this spring So we ventured to the best place to find them Jax Ranch amp Home store at 1000 US 287 north of Fort Collins This store is tolerant of people wanting to see the chicks Do ask before handling any though The stores staff is a wealth of information about raising chickens and tur-keys Its where our family bought most of the supplies for our own chicken coop last year Its also where I go for odd items like clothespins that were probably commonplace for my grand-mother but have disappeared in recent decades Phone (970) 484-2221 | Web jaxmercantilecom
Of course no Fort Collins agricultural field trip would be complete without a visit to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park The city owned and operated farm serves as an educational and interactive experience that helps young citizens better understand the industry that shaped this region Located at 600 North Sherwood Street the farm is open Wednesday through Sunday Admission is $3 per person Its our go-to spot for visiting family or just an excursion on a warm day The paved path allows easy access to sheep goats horses ponies pigs cows and the duck pond When you go be sure to spring for a scoop or two of animal feed at the store Nothing
A D
AY
AT THE
FARMNot long ago my 5-year-old asked
me the chicken and the egg question ldquoWhere did the first chickens come from Momrdquo (Hes a thinker this guy Also I think he likes to ensure that the wrinkles in my forehead are there to stay) He continued the conversation by answering his own question ldquoI think there was a chicken first because how could an egg hatch itselfrdquo How indeed
31
By Corey Radman
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
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Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
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5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
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A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
The authorrsquos son holds a little chick at Jax Ranch amp Home Cows and barn at the Cozy Cow Dairy where they welcome tour groups who want to explore life at a dairy farm 32
32 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beats the squeal of a kiddo discovering what it feels like to be licked by a goat (Pro tip for the adults hold onto the bag yourself The goats like paper just as much as oats)
Drop in visits are always fun but dont miss the farms classes available through the Recreator Registration for these typically fills up on the first day but the experience is worth the effort Both my kids still tell stories of milking the cow and gathering eggs in the Pee Wee Farmers classes Phone (970) 221-6665
If gardening is what you want your kids to learn fear not There are classes for that too The Gardens at Spring Creek another City of Fort Collins resource offers Read and Seed programs for preschoolers with weekly themes or tours designed specifically for groups of any age Sign up directly through the Garden office at (970) 416-2486 in person at 2145 Centre Avenue or on the web at fcgovcomgardens
Our family uses this little oasis in the city as a respite from each other in the hot days of summer The community botanic garden boasts a Childrens Garden demonstration gardens Xeric Parkway Strips and much more Because its just off the Spring Creek Trail we can bike over and then cool off with the pump-it-yourself fountain The fountain is a favorite because it is shaped like a giant watering can and dumps into an open-air water table Even my big girl still thinks its fun Admission is free but the suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family
In exploring for this article our hands-down
favorite place was one that has just begun Cozy Cow Dairys current dairy farmers moved to Colorado from California one year ago Nicole Dinicola and her father Dan Duhalde run 130 jersey milk cows at their location in Windsor at 28607 CR 17 The model for this farmstead dairy and creamery is different because they encourage tours to come and see how a dairy runs Pre-arranged tours are available daily and show everything from milking to processing The dairy teams with creamery owner Caille Gash to allow tours to literally peek through the windows of the day-to-day operations of a dairycreamery Cost is $2 per person with a $25 minimum Set up a tour via cozycowcom
Lucky are those who come on a Friday when the fresh cheese curds are done (Seriously get some) The store also offers ice cream cones chocolate milk and several types of cheese With a three-item ingredient list (cultured milk rennet salt) the curds seem deceptively simple Yet they are revered by foodies across the region Cozy Cow cheese curds are the base ingredient in Common Link food truckrsquos poutine You can also find them at Poutine Cuisine in Denver The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Grimm Broth-ers Brewing in Loveland When we visited the creamery was soaking cheese in saison (beer) for a Funkwerks-exclusive cheddar block available at the Funkwerks taproom
As you leave the dairy be sure to scratch the goats in their animal petting area And wave hello to resident ducks Cheese and Quackers
Whats the point of all this traipsing about Perhaps dairy owner Nicole Dinicola says it best ldquoA lot of kids dont really know where their food comes from and all that goes into making it They understand that milk comes from cows but they seem surprised by how much work it is to get it to the storerdquo She says the concept of twice daily milking seems to shock her field trip groups
Those are the reasons we journey to the farm An understanding of work ethic and a willingness to undertake the dirty jobs is one of the deficiencies of our modern culture Its not that all people should grow up to be farmers but everyone should value quality food With-out insight and hands-on experience with food production our children will starve Awash in a sea of pop tarts modern kids have lost the joy that comes from effort and the mouth-popping flavor of homegrown food
Other Agricultural Resources and Ideas
bull 4-H ndash All roads with kids and agriculture lead to 4-H 4-H clubs were established to teach kids about agriculture Many youngsters raise an animal and compete at the annual fair In Colorado the club is supported by the CSU Extension Google 4-H Larimer County or call (970) 498-6000 And be sure to visit the Larimer County Fair in August to see the kids hard work
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
For all of your custom stone needs There is only one choice
Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
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A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
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Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
Radmanrsquos daughter pets a calf at Cozy Cow 3333Style 2014
bull CSAs or Community Supported Agricul-ture are an excellent way to get involved with a working farm on a regular basis With tours available and weekly food pickups (sometimes at the farm) kids can observe the daily operations and how the changing seasons impact the harvest In Northern Colorado there are CSAs available for vegetable shares eggs fruit raw milk microgreens mushrooms meat and more Check coloradocsasinfo or visit a farmers market for more information
bull U-Pick ndash Some farms offer U-Pick pro-grams allowing families to come harvest their own crops Berry Patch Farm in Brighton has a U-Pick strawberry harvest that is welcoming to preschoolers The Bartels Farm in north Fort Collins offers crop harvests throughout the summer Pumpkin season is not to be missed Check dates and rules at the specific farm websites Some require a reser-vation See BerryPatchFarmscom and TheBartelsFarmcom
Corey Radman writes and lectures her kids about vitamins in Fort Collins See more of her work at FortCollinsWritercom
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
For all of your custom stone needs There is only one choice
Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
34 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Make a Point to unPlug
With cell phones sprouting from teenagersrsquo palms like permanent appendages parents and kids face unprecedented challenges Is the 24-hour cycle of immediate updates on friends and acquaintances beneficial Given the volume of messages delivered directly to personal devices whether via texts
or social media are children becoming hapless victims of digital overload
By Elissa J Tivona and Shannon J Tivona
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
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Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
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5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
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A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
3535Style 2014
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
For all of your custom stone needs There is only one choice
Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
3636 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
Local and national experts are concerned that yes this may be so In recent years stud-ies at major universities have tracked trends among young technology users and attempted to assess the consequences of the rising ten-dency among kids to remain plugged in 247
Several issues lie at the heart of the problem one is that the technology is changing faster than the capacity to evaluate its impact Dr Brian Mesinger a pediatric psychologist for 20 years with the Fort Collins Youth Clinic reflects that no matter how vigilant a parent tries to be once a child has independent use of a smart phone or other WiFi device parents have very little ability to monitor what their kids are being exposed to on a daily basis The age when this trend begins is getting younger and the speed at which technologies and applications are changing is accelerating
A 2012 Stanford study examined survey responses from 3400 pre-adolescent girls (ages 8 to12) and documented escalating use of digital devices including computers smart phones laptops and tablets Research-ers found a worrisome correlation between increased use and girlsrsquo diminished sense of social wellbeing Their results matched earlier findings from MITrsquos Sherrie Turkle leading expert and author on human interaction with technology Her studies show that girls with the highest technology use suffer the highest levels of anxiety and depression
Girls who spend excessive time plugged into social networks confuse Facebook posts depicting a stream of manufactured moments with real-life They often consider themselves abnormal or social outcasts by comparison
Michele Sanner MA LPCC also a thera-pist specializing in children and adolescents reports that most youth start using technology as a way to gain a sense of connection which is a normal impulse at all ages However the need for connection takes on greater importance during adolescence as kids are form-ing individual identities differentiating from parents and favoring peer groups
Both Sanner and Dr Mesinger point out that problems arise when clients rely exclu-sively on social media as the means to sustain their relationships These youngsters begin developing an obsessive need to check social media or carry on running text exchanges minute-to-minute often sacrificing needed sleep to stay connected
Sanner reports that her biggest concern for these kids is that they are failing to develop emo-tional intelligence She says ldquoItrsquos important that kids are able to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of the people that they communicate and connect with Emotions and intention are hard to identify in
the social technology world [Kids] need help connecting to their own emotions especially because situations and events come at them so fast in the social media worldrdquo
The accelerated rate of message exchange on digital media and the sheer barrage of unfil-tered input have had a noticeable impact on how teens interact with others Dr Mesinger observes ldquo[Teens] have shorter attention spans they have a constant need for entertaining stimuli they donrsquot spend time alone They never really learn to be on their own and measure their own sense of themselvesrdquo
He concludes ldquoMore and more wersquore get-ting the illusion of companionship [or conver-sation] and yet wersquore not dealing with what Sherrie Turkle calls the demands of friendship What it takes to be face-to-face with people is a lot more demanding and difficult than just bombing texts or information in from outsiderdquo
Put simply the more time kids spend in the virtual world the less time they reserve for the face-to-face world
While experts raise early warnings about this trend Dr Mesinger and Sanner believe the antidote to potential harm is not that complicated It amounts to one basic principle UNPLUG Parents must be willing to set firm boundaries around the use of digital devices and even harder be willing to abide by these same rules
In the interest of finding solutions that both teens and parents find acceptable I decided to solicit help from my 18-year-old daughter I asked her to share her perspective on rea-sonable guidelines Her responses were both insightful and instructive She says
bull The fact is that no matter how detri-
mental social media texting or other uses of technology are they arent going away So instead of attacking the tech-nology we must attack how we use it Instead
of being victims to how our tech-nology affects us we must take control of technology use to better serve our lives
bull Just because we can communicate
through texting doesnt mean we should make that choice every time Likewise just because we can drive cars every-where doesnt mean we should We still have the option to ride our bikes but we need to make the
conscious decision to do so Like driving texting is easy and convenient and gives
users a lot of control Biking however can be hard work and
unpredictable This is similar to face-to-face communication It
bull Set aside time each day when all devices are turned off For exam-ple the dinner hour Bring face-to-face conversation back to the table
bull Establish a set time when phones and other devices are put away for the night Sleeping with a cell phone is a harmful practice for kids and robs them of healthy uninterrupted rest
bull Engage kids especially girls in peer group activities where friendships can develop in the real world rather than the digital world (Sports arts programs scouting faith-based groups etc)
bull Share conversation about social media For example ask what friends are posting and why Ask kids their reactions and feelings about these exchanges
bull Model courteous use of technol-ogy Above all avoid ldquophubbingrdquo (snubbing someone by using your phone while he or she is talking with you) Explain to your kids why this is a rude and disrespectful habit
bull Unplug yourself Many adults also need practice in setting aside digi-tal distractions and enjoying the company of friends and family You are your childrsquos first and most important role model
ANTIDOTES
balancing the virtual world and the face-to-face world for kids
3737Style 2014
For all of your custom stone needs There is only one choice
Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
3737Style 2014
For all of your custom stone needs There is only one choice
Arkins Park Stone Corporation has been the source of superior sandstone building products since 1958 Because of itrsquos durability and timeless aesthetic appeal our sandstone is the natural choice for virtually any paving walling or landscaping project We quarry and professionally fabricate an unsurpassed
variety of distinctly different stone The possibilities are endless
970-663-1920wwwarkinsparkstonecom
5975 N COUNTY RD 27 bull LOVELAND CO 80538
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
3838 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
is tough to find time for it it is harder to control what you are going to say and it requires us to pause our busy lives However much like biking face-to-face communication is healthy for you Face-to-face communication is what truly cultivates relationships
bull Texting is useful for logistics and check-ing in but not for creating lifelong bonds Social media is a practical way to connect with friends and stay updated on big events in their lives But someones self-worth is not based off how many likes they get or how many friends they have Kids need to be taught to get off Facebook and go hang out with their real friends
bull As important as it is for kids to learn to drive we shouldnrsquot forget to teach them how to ride a bike If kids learn the importance of healthy activities such as biking and face-to-face com-munication they will be able to better utilize technology to enhance their lives instead of becoming victims
bull We control our use of social media and texting Both provide great opportu-nities to network and stay in touch but it is important that we remember to put them in their place We must remember to park the car in the garage and pull out that bicycle and get some sun and fresh air We must remember to put the phone down and look up at the friend we are talking to We must remember to exercise not only our bodies but our communication skills You never forget how to ride a bike but we may forget how to develop meaningful relationships if we dont keep practicing
Elissa Tivona is a freelance writer and educa-tor based in Fort Collins Shannon Tivona is a Senior at Fort Collins High School
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
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A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
3939Style 2014
335 S Summit View Dr | Fort Collins CO 80524970-221-9228 | wwwZakGeorgeLandscapingcom
If you are ready to take your landscape to the next level
Then you are in the right place
From landscape renovations to newly designed and installed landscape projects our professional staff can breathe life into your yard
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
By Kay Rios
40 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
The upper stretch of the Poudre is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its incredible recreation scenic and hydrologic features It has attracted rafters and kayakers since the 1950s It is a rafterrsquos paradise because of its convenient access clear water challenging rapids and awe-inspiring scenery
Under the international Whitewater Rating System rapids on the river are classified from Class I to VI and vary a great deal depending on water levels The rafting season generally occurs from May through August and sometimes runs through Labor Day in September
This year is expected to be an incredible year on the river According to numbers provided by Northern Water snowpack feeding the river was registered at 131 percent as of April 1 That intel makes rafters very happy
ldquoItrsquos the best snowpack since 2011rdquo says Bob Klein manager A Wanderlust Adventure ldquoThat means wersquoll have a good white water season even in July And I think wersquoll have medium flows on through Julyrdquo
Rob Breckenridge owner of A1 Wildwater Rafting describes the upcoming season as ldquofabulous In 2011 it was a little too high but
Nothing equals the energy of moving water Being in it on it or around it can inspire currents of excitement or waves of calm Northern Colorado is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Cache la Poudre River and all its recreational opportunities
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
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A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
Rapids are rated by the International Scale of River Difficulty The scale goes as followsbull Class I ndash Easy Fast moving water with
small riffles and small waves Very few if any obstructions Risk to swimmers is low and self-rescue is easy
bull Class II ndash Novice Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels Some easy maneuvering may be required but all rocks and waves are easily missed Group rescue is rarely needed
bull Class III ndash Intermediate Rapids with moderate irregular waves that may be difficult to avoid and would swamp an open canoe Some complex maneuvers in fast currents and good boat control can be required Forceful eddies waves and strainers may be present Self-rescue is possible but group rescue helps Fairly low level of danger to swimmers
bull Class IV ndash Advanced Intense power-ful but predicable rapids Large waves and holes that cannot be avoided and ldquomust makerdquo moves Scouting is recommended Moderate to high danger to swimmers Self-rescue can be very difficult group rescue is key
bull Class V ndash Expert Very long violent obstructed unpredictable rapids Contains steep chutes large waves and holes and few eddies Scouting is difficult and man-datory High risk to paddlers and swim-mers Group rescue may not be possible
bull Class VI ndash Extreme Only occasion-ally run by teams of experts with total planning and introspection High risk of injury of death Highest level of difficulty and danger Not totally unrunnable but unrunnable to most sane people
ndash Provided by Mountain Whitewater Descents
41Style 2014
this will be real nice and should give us a good long seasonrdquo
ldquoThe earth is already saturated from all the floods last fall so there will actually be more runoff That means an earlier season and longer in the back endrdquo adds Brad Modesitt owner Mountain White Water Descents
Because of its wild and scenic designation the US Forest Service regulates the rafting activity The Poudre is limited to five rafting companies and it dictates the number of people per day and per trip ldquoThe limit is for 120 on a weekday and 100 on a weekend per companyrdquo
Klein says Everyone thinks about the Arkansas River when they think of rafting and there are about 50 companies there On the Poudre therersquos only fiverdquo
ldquoThat keeps it uncluttered and not so busyrdquo adds Breckenridge ldquoThe Arkansas is like bumper boats but we donrsquot have that here This is one of the best rivers in the country Itrsquos really spe-cial ndash not only wild and scenic but some of the best white water in the nation rdquo
Last year 37091 people rafted the Poudre ldquoWe took about 7600 people down and we hope to take 8000 or more this yearrdquo Klein
says Raft trips vary so that any interest or skill
level can take advantage of what the compa-nies have to offer For example A Wanderlust Adventure provides several levels ldquoThe Taste of White Water is a beginning to intermediate triprdquo Klein says ldquoThe minimum age is 7 and wersquove taken people up into their 80s Itrsquos our most popular trip Itrsquos not a float trip because it has a lot of class II and III rapidsrdquo Taste has continuous rapids but during the trip rafters stop to play in a swimming hole
ldquoOur advanced trip the Blast of White Water
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
4242 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
has a minimum age of 14-years-old and some-times we raise it to 18 in high water in June Itrsquos 12 miles non-stop action with class IIIs IVs and then IIs in betweenrdquo
A basics-for-beginners safety speech is given before departure Klein says ldquoYou have to be ready to paddle and yoursquoll get exercise We teach you how to sit in the boat how to get a good foothold what to do if you fall out of the raft proper techniques for paddling how to work as a teamrdquo
For the more energetic Blast Klein says rafters are screened ldquoWe want to have more active people more adventurers on that trip We get more families and kids camps on the Tasterdquo
Recently Wanderlust teamed up with Beer amp Bike Tours setting up rafting in the morning and then participants can take the beer and bike tour in the afternoon
A1 Wildwater also offers different levels Breckenridge says ldquoWe have total beginners trips that begin at age 7 with no experience necessaryrdquo The Wildwater 1 is the easiest trip and most popular with families Rapids are predominately class II and III with a touch of IV offering an exciting trip thatrsquos not overbearing
Wild and Scenic 2 runs the National Wild amp Scenic portion of the river and is the best single stretch of raftable wild water Breckenridge says itrsquos a challenging trip with class II III IV and at times IV+ rapids and people should be healthy fit have good swimming ability and be able to paddle heartily The minimum age is 15 during high water 12 years during medium water and 9 years during low water
The Upper Mishawaka trip is designed for youth groups and is a combination of the Wild-water and the Wild amp Scenic Trips but has more
class IV rapids than the Wildwater trip A1 also offers a Poudre Full Day Trip during the high water season Itrsquos 22 miles in length and runs a 10-mile stretch of incredible rapids and scenery in the upper Poudre canyon The trip includes a big deli-style lunch
At Mountain Whitewater Descents Modesitt says ldquoWe do both short trips and longer trips and people choose the skill level they want depending on the time of year The minimum age is 7 but that also depends on the water levelrdquo
Splash is a half day trip that is shorter more fast-paced and great for first-timers Class II III and some IV rapids combine with great scen-ery The Plunge is also half day but geared for experienced rafters and ldquoexcitement seekersrdquo adding in continuous rapids and big class IVs The Mishawaka Full Day is like the Plunge but
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A Wanderlust Adventure
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents Photo courtesy of A1 Wildwater Rafting
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
4343Style 2014
A1 Wildwater Rafting 2801 N Shields St Fort Collins CO 80524(970) 224-3379Email funa1wildwatercomwwwa1wildwatercom
A Wanderlust Adventure4120 W County Rd 54 GLaporte CO 805351-800-745-7238 or (970) 482-1995E-mail infoawanderlustadventurecomwwwawanderlustadventurecom
Mountain Whitewater Descents1329 North Highway 287 Fort Collins CO 80524(888) 855-8874 or (970) 419-0917Email contactsraftmwdcom wwwraftmwdcom
Rapid Transit Rafting161 Virginia Dr Estes Park CO 80517(970) 577-7238 (800)-367-8523Email raftcoloradoaolcomwwwrapidtransitraftingcom
Rocky Mountain Adventures1117 US 287 Fort Collins CO 80522(970) 493-4005infoShopRMAcomwwwshoprmacom
The five companies listed below are the rafting companies given access to the Poudre River
with more rapids and a less frequently run upper stretch At lunch the guides switch from rafting experts to chefs and serve a gourmet deli-style lunch for both vegetarians and carnivores
Mountain Whitewater also offers the only multi-day trip on the Poudre with its Poudre Falls Two Day This trip allows rafters to experience the Upper Rustic section of the Poudre a sec-tion seldom seen by commercial rafters After lunch the trip continues through the Lower Rustic section of Poudre That first evening everyone camps at a Forest Service campground with flat tent areas outdoor toilets tables and access to the highway Dinner is served around a campfire After breakfast the next morning itrsquos back into the water to finish the Lower Rustic section of the river After lunch the trip finishes with the Plunge section of the River
Modesitt says ldquoTherersquos really no skill required
Our guides have all the skills and they provide instruction and training As long as people listen to the guide they should be okayrdquo
Breckenridge who opened A1 Wildwater in 1982 says ldquoWe have excellent guides who keep returning to us They are very skilled They have to be certified by the State and Colorado is one of the tougher states ldquo
Modesitt takes it a step farther ldquoThe state requires you have 50 hours on the river and a two-hour class We require 100 hours on the river and we have a 40-hour classroom session The training pays off immeasurablyrdquo Modesitt who opened the company in 2000 says ldquoOur average guide has been here for nine yearsrdquo
Klein says that Wanderlust guides also have an average of nine years with the company (Pat Legel the owner and founder of A Wanderlust Adventure started the company back in 1982)
ldquoWe feel we have the best group of guides on the river Itrsquos the ownerrsquos 33rd season and he treats the staff great Most of our guides are trained in swift water rescue and they make the company what it is Itrsquos a fun group of professionalsrdquo
Klein suggests that locals might want to try the early season when it starts in May ldquoIt gets very busy by mid-June and that runs through the end of August with heavy tourism When itrsquos cooler people donrsquot think white water raft-ing but thatrsquos the best time Itrsquos like skiing on a good powder day when no onersquos on the slopes It the best kept secret on the riverrdquo
Kay Rios PhD is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins She is often seen lurking on in or around the Poudre River
Photo courtesy of Mountain Whitewater Descents
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
ldquoI remember the first time I heard 311rdquo Kelly says ldquoWe were in Traciersquos S-10 truck We were listening to them and she was trying to tell me who Nick [Hexum] and SA [Martinez] were We got out of the truck and our neighbor started talking to us about how much they liked 311 I said lsquoI like Three-One-One toorsquo I had no idea who they wererdquo
Fast-forward to high school and the Milton sistersrsquo passion for 311 had exponentially grown They began going to as many 311 shows as possible In fact their father actually provided ldquoalibisrdquo for their absences from school so they could hit the road A particular journey to the bandrsquos hometown of Omaha in 2000 culminated with their first introduction to the band members themselves cementing their decade-plus friend-ship with the band
ldquoThe whole beauty of what we have with 311 that is so much different than everybody
else is all we ever did was be their friendsrdquo Kelly explains ldquoWe didnrsquot ask for autographs we didnrsquot ask for pictures and we never asked them to buy us tickets When they wanted to hang out we hung out and if they wanted us to go to the show the next night wersquod go to the show We never asked them for anythingrdquo
ldquoWe love their music and we love themrdquo Tracie adds ldquoIf itrsquos only one of us [at a concert] theyrsquore like lsquoWherersquos your sisterrsquo Alwaysrdquo
As life went on Kelly and Tracie began work-ing at The Group Inc as real estate agents while remaining true to what Kelly calls her ldquoreligionrdquo as a 311 enthusiast No one could have predicted what happened next
In seventh grade Kelly sat behind Bobby Held in math class She would draw her ldquopretendrdquo name on her notebook ldquoKelly Heldrdquo presumably with hearts around it as she fantasized about a future with the then eighth grader Sadly they
Love SongSisters Kelly and Tracie
Milton have an unmistakable bond which was only made
stronger by their mutual love of the Omaha band 311
However strange this may sound the story begins when Kelly was just 12-years-old At the time the young Fort Collins native idolized her older sister in a way many
younger sisters do
Kelly Milton and Bobby Held say lsquoI Dorsquo with 311 frontman SA Martinez presiding in New Orleans on 311 Day 2014 44
44 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Kyle Eustice | Photography by Clayton Jenkins
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
lost touch for the next 17 years while he was off working on an oil rig in North Dakota and she was back in Fort Collins working hard as a real estate agent Although they had mutual friends they never ran into each other until one fateful night when they finally crossed paths and quickly fell in love While Held was in North Dakota he scheduled phone calls with Kelly but one night he called her unexpectedly
ldquoIt was not the scheduled time so I was freak-ing out thinking he was hurt or somethingrdquo Kelly says ldquoBut instead he said we had to get married on 311 Day in New Orleans I would have never suggested that because itrsquos about our love not my passion for 311rdquo
Held explains ldquoI knew how passionate she was about 311 and has been ever since Irsquove known her I figured that would be the best anniversary date for us Asking SA to perform the ceremony was a completely different thingrdquo
When 311 played their next show at Red Rocks on July 29 2013 the Milton sisters rounded up the troops and made the trek which turned into an impromptu engagement party At some point Held suggested Kelly approach Martinez to ask him to perform the actual wedding ceremony Hesitant at first when she saw Martinez standing by their tour bus she jumped at the opportunity to blurt out her request ndash and he said yes
On March 11 2014 Kelly Milton became Mrs Bobby Held as Tracie and her family looked on The ceremony took place at the New Orleans Arena where 311 was to perform later that night Around noon a dozen friends and family members encircled the bride and groom to wit-ness the once-in-a-lifetime event Dressed in a non-traditional black wedding dress with vivid red streaks in her dark brown hair Kelly had trouble containing her enthusiasm Not only was she marrying her best friend and the love of her
life but they were also celebrating by return-ing to the venue for 311rsquos biggest show of the year Martinez of course was at the helm and delivered an impassioned sermon
ldquoWhen Kelly asked me what was I going to say The answer was obviously yesrdquo Martinez explains ldquoI got to New Orleans and I had in mind what I was going to say but I hadnrsquot really finished it being the procrastinator that I am I woke up to finish writing it then I got dressed shuttled to the venue to perform the ceremony did that got back and took a nap before sound checkrdquo
In the sermon Martinez wrote ldquoMaybe when you fell in loveyou fell in love with the Colorado in methe peaks and deeps valleysbecause love is a hike you need to take togetherhelliprdquo
ldquoAnyone that goes to the event shows are diehardrdquo Martinez says ldquoOn one hand yoursquore almost uncomfortable because yoursquore not used
4545Style 2014
311 band members drummer Chad Sexton vocalist SA Martinez vocalistguitarist Nick Hexum bassist P-Nut and lead guitar Tim Mahoney Photo courtesy of Marcello Ambriz
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
46 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
to that We lead normal lives but once you get into 311 world it becomes something else and people think of you differently but with Kelly and her sister Irsquove known them for a long time so it wasnrsquot as if they were strangersrdquo
ldquoFor a 311 fan to have their wedding cer-emony performed by one of the band members at our biggest show of the year that is pretty special We have this amazing fan base and those two really support usrdquo he adds
ldquoIn the song Come Original it says lsquoWhen you come to townyoursquoll have them coming for milesrsquo Wersquove been coming for miles for yearsrdquo Tracie says ldquo311 is like our world Theyrsquore a huge part of our livesrdquo
ldquo311 brings unity to the worldrdquo Kelly adds ldquoThey brought all of us together a sistersrsquo bond a lifetime of friendship with SA and a marriage that will last foreverrdquo
Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha Nebraska After spending four years living in Santa Fe New Mexico she couldnrsquot wait to get back to the mountain region She is a regular con-tributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine Wax Poetics Ghettoblaster and many others
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
ldquoChocolate Loverdquo by Pat Saunders-White Inset Max the Labrador
4747Style 2014
furry Portraits for four-legged loved ones
Letrsquos face it Our pets have become our guilty pleasure We talk to them we let them console us when we have had a rough day we dote fret and spoil them ndash and it makes us feel good And now
you can celebrate this bond with a furry portrait hung in an area of prominence in the home
By Angeline Grenz
family pet
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
Pet photography by Allison Mae 4848 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
However we are not talking about a hastily shot photo from your phone We are talking about true works of art by experienced artists who understand exactly how to capture the quirks of our pets
One such pet artist is Pat Saunders-White She started painting pet portraits in 2007 almost as a fluke She was asked to paint a girlfriendrsquos pet and was surprised by the results
ldquoI thought it was a quirk But I enjoyed it immensely and it felt wonderful ndash the painting just flowedrdquo she recalls The self-supported artist quickly found that the paintings also sold well She was soon featured in CostCorsquos magazine The Costco Connection which kept her busy with commission work for the next three years
A small portion of Saunders-Whitersquos commission work is memorial pieces ndash portraits of a beloved pet that has passed on Many more are portraits for pet owners who want to gift the portraits of four-legged family members to their spouses give as wedding gifts or just hang in their own homes Many of her clients become repeat customers having her paint new additions to the family as they come along
Though this trend may be seeing a resurrection in popularity Saunders-White says that pet portraits are by no means a new idea ldquoIt is a centuries-old custom ndash such as portraits of old English hunting dogsrdquo Though a large number of her paintings are of dogs she has painted cats pigs horses lamas and more
What is different is Saunders-Whitersquos style bold colorful and whimsical There is nothing reserved about her subject matter ldquoI place the animals on the canvas so that they is the dominating factorrdquo she says The subjects are generally surrounded by large fields of color and are cheerful unique custom paintings that capture the essence of the petrsquos personality In fact she has taught her style of painting at various private and group settings
in and around Loveland Saunders-White charges a set price per square
inch for these custom pieces Most paintings are 12 inches by 12 inches or 11 by 14 inches and she generally asks for a four-week lead-time before taking on a new commission and a four-week turn-around for each project Often she can complete the piece faster than that but this gives her some leeway in case she gets a little ldquowriterrsquos blockrdquo
In order to capture the true nature of a particular pet Saunders-White likes to meet each of her subjects face to face She has clients bring their pets to her house or she will go to their home In both instances she photographs the pet and does research on the breed if she needs a little inspiration
ldquoOften when I meet the [petrsquos] owner I can see the dogrsquos personality reflected in the personality of the ownerrdquo observes Saunders-White laughing ldquoNot that I am saying they look alikehelliprdquo
She attributes her own relationship with her pet an Anatolian Shepard that passed away four years ago to her ability to connect with her subjects ldquoHis name was Moose and I was always looking at him examining him He taught me how to pet and touch him and helped me make observations ndash he was such a magnificent looking dogrdquo
She also says her innate affinity with animals helps her to connect with pets and then portray them in a truly meaningful way ldquoIt is no coinci-dence When you come into a home animals sense the kind of person you arerdquo
She also knows that the bond between pets and their owners is a strong one ldquoPets are silent loving partners They give so much but ask for very little backrdquo
Photographer Allison Mae based in Longmont has also found a niche photographing pets and their owners She uses her camera to help the world see the magic inherent in our relationships
with our furry friends ldquoIt all started when I was a child springing from
my own love of animalsrdquo she says Mae offers a variety of packages that include
consultation photography on location digital post-production and 35+ images ndash she will even provide the treats Mae gives plenty of time at each photo shoot to allow the pet to get use to her and her equipment and to relax and act in a natural manner
When she first started photographing pets three years ago many people asked for the pet only in photos More recently she finds that owners want to be included in the photography ldquoAnd I think it is great It has become more socially acceptable to do this and it is as important to have good photos of our pets as it is of our kids and partnersrdquo she adds
English drawing rooms have long held promi-nently placed portraits of their pedigreed pets Today that trend has caught on among more than just the gentry Having a custom portrait whether a painting or a photograph is a wonderful way to capture the uniqueness of your pet with the true priceless value of an original piece of art
Resources available Pat Saunders-White(970) 278-1755patsaunderswhitecom patpatsuanderswhitecom
Paws amp PaintPawsandpaintcomPortraitspawsandpaintcom
Allison Mae Photography(303) 506-4777wwwallisonmaecomAllisonallisonmaecom
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
4949Style 2014
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
5050 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Vegetarian Vegan Diets amp KidsScott 45 single dad of four kids ranging from ages 7 to 16 decided to change his diet after his divorce But switching his children from a typical busy family diet of
quick meals and fast food to a vegetarian often vegan diet is not a practical or easy prospect So Scott continues to cook one meal for his kids and another for himself
However he started to notice that his kids ndash even his one teenager who raged against a vegetarian diet ndash started to take interest in what Scott was having for dinner He was able to get them interested in an alternative diet by downplaying his own dietary changes
ldquoAfter a while they would ask me if they could have some of what I was havingrdquo he recalls ldquoI would tell them lsquoNo itrsquos mine But I can fix you somersquordquo This low-key approach worked for his family even his pickiest eater started to try a few of his vegetarian concoctions
One of the favorites among the kids is a vegan sprout sandwich And one fun aspect is that Scott grew the sprouts himself
The sandwich is deceptively simple vegan mayo spicy sprout mix and some vegan bread he likes a variety of rye available at local Sprouts market The sandwich is a thick mouthful of creamy mayo crunchy sprouts and softy tasty bread In fact it has become a go-to snack for his kids ndash one they can throw together themselves
The interactive portion of the meal is growing the sprouts a surprisingly easy prospect
Check your local health food market for a sprouting mix Handy Pantry makes several varieties After that all you need is an old glass jar a piece of cheesecloth or some tulle and a rubber band to secure across the top and roughly 3-4 days
Put 2-3 tablespoons of the mix in the glass jar cover with 4x the amount of water and let sit for 6 to 8 hours Drain then rinse the seeds twice daily with water as you watch them grow Enjoy them in Scottrsquos sprout sandwiches salads or let your imagination run wild
family wellness
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
5151Style 2014
Though Scott doesnrsquot pressure his kids to eat vegetarian according to the Kids Eat Right campaign an initiative of the Academy of Nutri-tion and Dietetics feeding children a vegetarian or even vegan diet can be perfectly healthy if it is well-planned The website wwweatrightorg reminds parents to pay special attention to calcium and iron intake along with finding good sources of protein vitamin B12 vitamin D and zinc Consulting a registered dietician is always recommended especially when the diet becomes a lifestyle
ldquoFor my family it is not about my kids choos-ing to eat the same way I dordquo says the busy dad ldquoIt is more about them trying new things and discovering new ways to eat on their ownrdquo
For more tips for feeding children vegetarian meals visit the Kids Eat Right website and find suggestions and recipes for healthy meals for specialty diets
Angeline Grenz is managing editor of Lydias Style Magazine and has begun growing her own sprouts
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
5252 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
By Angeline Grenz
Mosquito Danger They are summertime nuisances with a dangerous side mosquitos Every year
Northern Colorado municipalities evaluate the threat these tiny terrors can carry and this year West Nile is expected to be every bit as prevalent as previous years
ldquoWest Nile is here to stay in our communityrdquo says Mike Calhoon parks supervisor for the City of Fort Collins ldquoIt is up to the individual to do a really good job of taking precautionsrdquo
Last year Colorado was one of the worst hit states for West Nile According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 318 positive human cases were detected in Colorado in 2013 ndash California was the only state with more 368 tested positive Colorado also had seven West Nile-related deaths Some studies speculate that more than 3 million people in the US may have been infected with West Nile many of those infected are unaware of it
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of those infected with this wily virus experience no symp-toms For those that do experience symptoms they mainly consist of headache body aches joint pain vomiting diarrhea and rash Less than 1 percent can develop life-threatening
encephalitis or meningitis There is currently no treatment for West Nile
To protect yourself and your family from the virus the main defense is to take care of problem areas around your home stay inside during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and use an approved mosquito repellent like DEET
Mosquitos need standing water to lay eggs Once they do they can lay as many as 10000 eggs in a space the size of a Gatorade lid says Rob Harris owner of The Mosquito Authority a service that offers mosquito control The number one priority is to eliminate any standing water on your property
To protect your yard Harris recommends taking the following steps
bull Eliminate all standing water Store empty buckets and containers upside down to prevent standing water
bull Empty water that collects in the folds of tarps
bull Clear debris from drains ditches and cul-verts so that water moves through freely
bull Fill-in puddles or any area in the yard that remains wet for more than a week
bull Check and repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitos from enter-ing the home
bull Clean out roof gutters and beware of corrugated pipes for downspouts ndash the plastic grooves can hold enough water to breed mosquitos Treat pipes with larvicide
bull Change water or flush out birdbaths with
family wellness
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
5353Style 2014
a garden hose once a week
bull Stock ornamental ponds with fish (to eat the larvae) or filter and aerate water with a pump
bull Repair any dripping outdoor faucets and place rocks underneath dripping window air conditioners
bull Keep swimming pools maintained Mos-quitos canrsquot breed if the pool is chemi-cally treated
bull Keep garbage cans covered or drill drain-age holes in the bottom
bull Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house
bull Mosquitosrsquo peak biting times are dawn dusk and early evening Stay inside during these times or wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants Keep clothing loose and light colored
bull Apply insect repellent sparingly to skin ndash an effective repellent must contain 35 percent DEET concentrations of DEET higher than 35 percent offer no addi-tional protection
Last Septemberrsquos flooding created the
opportunity for mosquitos to lay dry eggs ndash eggs that will hatch when they are wet again through spring rains Northern Colorado could face a greater amount of these lsquoflood water mosquitosrsquo than normal A nuisance says Calhoon but he adds that this particular type of mosquito does not carry the West Nile Virus
The City of Fort Collins works in conjunction with Larimer County to track West Nile-carrying mosquitos They continually update their website wwwfcgovcomwestnile to inform the com-munity of the status of West Nile in the region as well as preventative techniques to reduce the mosquito population The City also sprays wet-land areas every year with larvicide to reduce the mosquito population
Under certain criteria and as a last ditch effort to reduce the population of West Nile-carrying mosquitos the City will spray neighborhoods with adulticide That practice generally only takes place after mosquito traps come back positive for West Nile during the peak mosquito months of June July and August The Mosquito Dashboard link can provide information about neighborhood spraying and where mosquitos with West Nile have been detected
The city also offers free backyard inspections for anyone who wants standing water tested Infor-mation for backyard inspections is also located on their website This month Fort Collins City Council will be reviewing potential ways for individuals to opt out of neighborhood spraying
For those who want an extra level of protection
The Mosquito Authority offers a variety of services to protect yards and kill mosquitos Using a chemi-cal similar to what is used in flea and tick collars for dogs they can create an ongoing program to protect your yard using identification and habitat removal larval control and adult control They recommend beginning the Repel+Plus program as early as possible every spring Mosquitos can appear in Colorado as early as mid-April
The Mosquito Authority also uses a barrier spray that prevents adult mosquitos from crossing into your yard Harris says his company even offers treatments prior to outdoor events to prevent mosquitos from ruining backyard parties and outdoor weddings They recommend a three-week notice to allow the area to be treated twice but the minimum time needed is 48 hours prior to the event
For more information about The Mosquito Authority call Harris at (970) 444-BUGS or visit wwwbugsbiteorg Larimer County also offers current information on West Nile and mosquito control Visit wwwlarimerorghealthcdwestnilecfm for more information
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
54 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
E S T E SP A R K
W E E K E N DI N
Long known as the ldquoGateway to Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo this last year
Estes Park also became known as the town the
ood shut down
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
travel
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
Picturesque Estes Park (clockwise) Jackson Stables at YMCA Junior Ranger program by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy a steam car at the Stanley Hotel and beads for jewelry making at the Craft amp Design Center at the YMCA of the Rockies Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Estes Park however has recovered and is 100 percent open to visitors Signs of the fall 2013 flood are still visible along the major highways leading to Estes Park but the town looks as good as ever and business owners eagerly antici-pate a summer season that will wash away the memories of the flood and replace them with memories of family fun
Once the summer playground for millionaire FO Stanley Estes Park has been a tourist desti-nation from the beginning and today families flock from around the world to enjoy the townrsquos charms
Whether yoursquore traveling with extended family or just the kids Estes Park is a manageable fun and affordable weekend getaway Therersquos a little something for every taste outdoor activities fascinating history and family entertainment like miniature golf Itrsquos impossible to be bored in Estes Park although itrsquos perfectly acceptable to spend the afternoon drinking tea on the porch of the Stanley Hotel or reading a book along the sunny riverfront
If you plan to spend a weekend in Estes Park
herersquos an easy two-day family-friendly itinerary Upon arrival in Estes Park head to the Stanley
Hotel Whether you book a stay or not you can tour the property and the best way to experi-ence this landmark hotel is on The Stanley Tour Reservations are strongly recommended for this 90-minute tour of the grounds
This tour is a ldquobehind the curtainrdquo look at this amazing hotel that was once the ldquoguest houserdquo of FO Stanley and his wife Flora Guests visit several of the locked buildings such as the Concert Hall the most haunted building on the property
Much to the delight of the fans of Stephen King the tour guides reveals tidbits about Kingrsquos 1974 stay at the hotel and subsequent writing of what has become his most famous novel The Shining
While visitors can no longer sit at the same bar where King got drunk that infamous night fans of movie ldquoDumb and Dumberrdquo can enjoy drinking at the same bar where Hollywood filmed parts of the movie A sequel ldquoDumb amp Dumber Tordquo hits theaters this fall and is sure
to revive interest in the Cascades at the Stanley the hotelrsquos well-appointed whiskey bar featuring more than 600 whiskies
After an entertaining history lesson at the Stanley Hotel drive the minute or so down the hill to The Egg and I Restaurant for a delicious and inexpensive lunch They have an excellent menu for children ages 10 and under
After lunch itrsquos just a 15 minute drive to YMCA of the Rockies where families have been getting together since 1907 This place has a rich history that runs parallel to the history of the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park The 870-acre property wel-comes both day trippers and overnight visitors
YMCA of the Rockies features an array of activities Children who enjoy art can feed their creativity at the Craft amp Design Center Step inside this large two story well-lit building and dive into everything from basket making to leather working
With prices ranging from $3 to $75 per proj-ect even a large family can afford to embrace their inner artists for an afternoon Itrsquos not uncom-mon to find grandmas working alongside their
55Style 2014
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
11Style 2012
Enjoying all of beautiful ESTES PARK
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
5757Style 2014
grandchildren or uncles working next to their nephews at the Crafts amp Design Center making art and memories simultaneously
Horseback riding with Jackson Stables is another activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family at YMCA of the Rockies There are horses suited to every level of rider even ponies for the littlest ones in the family
The lengths of rides are an hour up to a full day and rates start at just $37 This outing is particularly popular during the summer so res-ervations are strongly recommended
After a visit to YMCA of the Rockies little artists and little cowboys tend to be hungry and what better way to satisfy the kids than with pizza Poppyrsquos Pizza amp Grill has been serv-ing Estes Park for 20 years and is tremendously popular with the locals
While children will be pleased to find pizza on the menu adults will be impressed with the beer list Owner Rob Pieper is a longtime supporter of the craft beer scene and serves up unique beers such as Russian Riversrsquo Piney the Elder at his restaurant Pieper even hosts the occasional
11Style 2012
L E F T O F M A I N S T R E E T
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
The Stanley Hotel Photos courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
5858 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
beer pairing dinner and patrons may order a beer tasting flight at any time
If the kids are still awake take an after dinner stroll down the riverfront stopping at a sweet shop or ice cream store for dessert
Day two is an excellent opportunity to do a little nature exploration and itrsquos so easy to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors in Estes Park Take a trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park or drive 10 minutes on Hwy 7 for a hike and picnic at Lily Lake The Lily Lake Loop Trail affords spectacular views of Longrsquos Peak and Mount Meeker and is wide and flat enough for a stroller
Looking to participate in an organized nature event Check out the Rocky Mountain Conservancy formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Founded in 1931 the conservancy is the official ldquofriends of Rocky Mountain National Parkrdquo
Through their Rocky Mountain Field Semi-nars they offer 300 programs including every-thing from bus tours to junior ranger programs for children Parents can join their kids at these
seminars or drop them off and then spend a couple hours tackling an adult-oriented adventure such as a long hike or a little gallery browsing in downtown
Construction is still taking place along Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon but a break in the work is planned for the 2014 summer season Plan an Estes Park trip around one of the townrsquos signature events like Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 17-18 2014 or take in the weekly musical entertainment in Barlow Plaza Bond Park or Performance Park Start your Estes Park weekend planning at VisitEstesParkcom
Visit StyleMagazineColoradocom for ldquoEstes Park insider tips from the authorrdquo
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTowncom the place for entertaining information on Colo-rado festival and travel Her articles have appeared in IndependentTravelercom and EnCompass Magazine
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
5959Style 2014
w w w a s h l e y c a r e s c o m
The comforts of home and the feeling of family
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimerrsquos disease or a related Dementia can be difficult
Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldnrsquot be
Contact Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
6060 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
WHISKERS lsquoN WAGS JUBILEE 2014 ndash DIAMONDS ARE FUREVER
WAGES TO WISHES ndash MARDI PAWS
Talia Agone winner of the Heads and Tails game poses with her new custom Schwinn Cruiser amp Bluesky Lager
Heidi Sisco Craig Sisco Guenter Kippschull Theresa Kippschull
March 1 Marriott Hotel Fort CollinsNearly 300 cat-loving guests gathered to enjoy a purrrfect evening helping to raise $77000 to benefit Fort Collins Cat Rescue amp SpayNeuter Clinic (FCCRSNC) Highlights at the 7th annual event included the auction of the unique one-of-a-kind Grand Cat statues a spirited game of Heads and Tails Jake the Therapy Cat photo booth and a touching video about FCCRSNC Since opening in June 2006 the shelter has found homes for more than 6300 cats and kittens and the clinic has performed over 27900 spayneuter surgeries on dogs and cats Photos in part
courtesy by Mark BollesKylee Muhlhauser Natalie Strong
Karen Horak Karen Morris
Aubrey Lavizzo Sarah Swanty Jeff Swanty Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
David Bee Julie Piepho
March 8 Embassy Suites LovelandMasks of all sizes a myriad
of beads and a New
Orleans-inspired buffet
were the backdrop at the
Mardi Gras themed 2nd
annual Wags to Wishes
event with more than
150 guests in attendance
Marking the occasion
was the celebration of
Denkai Sanctuaryrsquos 10th
birthday Highlights of the
evening included a parade
of adoptable dogs and a
slideshow recapping the
work Denkai has done
Proceeds from the event
will benefit many of
Denkairsquos community service
programs Photos courtesy of
Tumbleweed Photography
Sue Sutton Steven C Wainz Floss Blackburn
Lise amp Jim CummingsCharles amp Brittnee Whitehead Jessica Weiner Christine Forster Joe amp Maegan Trujillo
Kari amp Lee Kozak Liz Connell Brian Coleman Lynn Richardson
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
6161Style 2014
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
6262 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
OCEANS ELEVEN
SHARIN lsquoOrsquo THE GREEN
March 15 Lincoln Center Fort CollinsElegantly dressed OpenStage Theatre Company members hosted an evening of intrigue drama and excitement at their 5th annual casino night fundraiser
The Las Vegas-like atmosphere saw more than 200 guests play at gaming tables while being entertained by live Jazz impromptu performances by OpenStage
actors and pole and aerial performances by Limelight Fitness Over $20000 was raised to benefit OpenStage Theatre and their mission to provide exceptional
theatre that captivates the heart and mind
Catherine amp Fred Spoliansky Heather Jordan Brian White Tad Greenwell Erin Peck York Trina Lilyblade Emelie amp Michael Borello
Trent Baatz Greg Metzo (2095) Kyle Healy (566) Jason Brady Adam Waters
Chantal McCarthy Iris Wehmeyer Kendal Perez Leah Grossman
Jared amp Molly Goodman Sara Coutts with Quincy Coutts in the stroller
March 15 Library Park Fort CollinsA cold windy day greeted 2500 runners and walkers and 165 teams at this 16th annual popular fundraising event in downtown Fort Collins Participants many
with baby carriages strollers or pets and many sporting green regalia warmed up quickly as they ran or walked the 5K course Awards were presented to top
finishers and teams and a record-breaking $90000 was raised for Partners Mentoring Youth and their programs to create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal social and academic lives Photos in part courtesy of pho-cocom
Deb Pederson Wes Rutt Diane McCarthy
Standing-Odalys Pastrana Campuzano Sam Wiggins Lillian Tester Catriana Nolde Lopez Allison Loewen Haley Wade Kneeling-Alanis
Iantorno Alexis Hernandez Mya Haptonstall Maricela Pastrana Campuzano
Team T-Birds on the Run
Courtney amp Eric Reisler Kyle Sorrell Tenzing Santistevan
Tim Wentzlaff
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
6363Style 2014
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
6464 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
PARTY FOR A PURPOSE A GATSBY AFFAIR
MASKS OPENING
Amanda Carson Jesse Sullivan Sheila Bush Stacey McBride Kelly Vierk
Ginny Carroll Kelli Wallace Natalie Davis Daphne Caravella
March 29 Fort Collins Country Club Fort CollinsThe glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Junior
League of Fort Collins saw more than 150 guests with
many dressed in the 1920rsquos motif enjoying an evening
of spirits light food entertainment and socializing at
this inaugural fundraising event Proceeds from the
event will support Junior Leaguersquos Poudre School District
Snack Program Career Closet Kids in the Kitchen and
the Imagination Series community programs
Photos courtesy of ZebrajellyfishcomJuliana Schump Christie Wilbur Erin Devaney
Ginger Gage Lily Adams Chad AdamsSarah Hunnell Kim Meyer
April 4 Fort Collins Museum of Art Fort CollinsMore than 1400 commu-
nity members attended the
much-anticipated opening
of the annual Mask Exhibi-
tion to view one-of-a-kind
works of art This popular
event this year celebrating
its 10th anniversary show-
cases the artistic abilities
of local artists students
and other community
member with 200 masks
of various sizes shapes
and colors on display and
starts a month-long exhi-
bition The signature fund-
raiser benefits Fort Collins
Museum of Art and their
mission to promote aware-
ness and appreciation of
the visual artsDayton Hicks Greta Cornett holding Mattie Lou
Bill amp Karen Hart Quinton Bradley
Andrea Atherton Lilly Atherton Chris Erny Jenn amp Brandon Schneider
Joe Knape Dian Sparling Carolyn KnapeMidge Toomey David Prosser
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
6565Style 2014
Company Events
Anniversaries
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Childrenrsquos Parties
Weddings
Graduations
We Make it EasyYou name it
1550 Riverside bull Fort Collins970-267-6500
Tents amp Everything that goes under it
Tricia Steinbock amp Ron Nebelsick
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
6666 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
L IBERTY COMMON SCHOOL SPRING GALA 2014
BEAT BEETHOVEN 5K
April 4 Embassy Suites LovelandLiberty Common Schoolrsquos
(LCS) generous supporters
raised an excess of $100000
while celebrating LCSrsquos suc-
cesses at the schoolrsquos annual
spring gala Liberty support-
ers included school found-
ers current and past Fort
Collins city council members
LCS staff grandparents and
parents Margaritas a photo
booth and silent and live
auctions provided an excit-
ing evening for the nearly
500 guests in attendance
Proceeds from this annual
gala event will benefit Lib-
erty Common School and
help purchase an additional
school bus Photos courtesy
of Sandberg Photography and
Braces UTiffany amp Patrick Green
Falguni amp Sarvjit Gill Michelle amp Bryce SowitchMaureen amp Bob Schaffer Tami OrsquoMalley Linda Morita
Tom Stokovaz Don Knab Brent Peters Christie Reimer Randal amp Dipanee Mayes
April 6 Downtown Fort CollinsA perfect spring morning
greeted runners walkers
music lovers volunteers and
a cheering crowd as the 2nd
annual Beat Beethoven 5K
kicked off Maestro Wes
Kenny baton in hand start-
ed the music as more than
200 participants tried to
finish the 5K course before
Beethovenrsquos Fifth Symphony
stopped playing (approxi-
mately 33 minutes) Follow-
ing the run awards were
given to top finishers in Old
Town Square Proceeds from
the 5K will benefit the Fort
Collins Symphonyrsquos youth
education and community
engagement programs
Allison Fitzgerald Carrie Newman Wes Kenney
Brent Davis with Masirah First stroller over the finish line
Jordan Weinmann Patty Coe Loren Coe holding Allison Tim Weinmann holding Henry
Allison Pietras First Place Woman Finisher
Angela Mills Peggy Harris
David Litoff Chad Pallansch Tim HebertOverall top 3 finishers
David -3rd place Chad-2nd place Tim-1st place
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
6767Style 2014
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377
6868 Lydiarsquos STYLE Magazine
wwwstylemagazinecoloradocom211 W Myrtle St Suite 200
Fort Collins CO 80521
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDDENVER CO
PERMIT NO 5377