Gardening: A Four-Letter Word

My wife grew up in Nebraska where the word “garden” is a verb and crops are produced in neat and tidy rows. Her mother had a backyard garden and the neighbors did, too, and they traded seasonal fruits and vegetables among themselves, much like folks have done since woman first sat down and gnawed on … Read more

Kids in the Kitchen: At Copper Mountain Pizzeria

Kids in the Kitchen: At Copper Mountain Pizzeria 1

This uncooked pizza clearly resembles the Rocky Mountains: Mounds of cheese jut from the 18-inch crust. Their giggling creators grab more of the shredded mozzarella by the fist full and drop it like avalanches on pepperoni slices and mini meatballs. Green stuff is conspicuously missing here. Spinach, peppers and broccoli are definitely not my kids’ … Read more

Cultural Hub: Pueblo Arts Center Draws Families

Cultural Hub: Pueblo Arts Center Draws Families 3

Visitors to Pueblo don’t usually put cultural pursuits high on their list of activities, so those who discover the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center and Buell Children’s Museum are in for a treat. This expansive facility hosts a variety of cultural and artistic activities, and is a thriving part of the community.. The center opened … Read more

Carousel of Happiness: Dream Comes True in Nederland, Colorado

Carousel of Happiness: Dream Comes True in Nederland, Colorado 5

The adjective “enchanting” has never come to mind in describing Nederland, Colorado, a laid-back, quirky, former mining supply town 18 miles west of Boulder. But the Carousel of Happiness, which had its grand opening May 29, 2010, changes all that. The old-fashioned merry-go-round, complete with sounds from a calliope, delights children and dredges up nostalgia … Read more

Boulder Farmers’ Market: Fresh and Locally Grown

Every Saturday morning and Wednesday afternoon, beginning in the spring, the Boulder Farmers’ Market transforms 13th Street in downtown Boulder into a vibrant open-air marketplace. The market brings friends and neighbors together to browse through heaping baskets of rainbow chard, mounds of deep red, gold and purple beets, piles of vine-ripened tomatoes, and now, in … Read more

Westminster’s Butterfly Pavilion: An Enchanting World

Butterflies are born free and float gracefully in the Butterfly Pavilion at 6252 W. 104th Ave. in Westminster, Colorado. In my childhood, I chased butterflies and caught them with a net if I was lucky. Now, all I need do is walk through the doors of Westminster’s Butterfly Pavilion to discover the enchanting world of … Read more

Vail Lacrosse Shootout: A Sport for All Ages

Vail Lacrosse Shootout: A Sport for All Ages 10

From professional teams to Little League, the sport of lacrosse is exploding in Colorado. Two pro teams — Colorado Mammoth and Denver Outlaws — fill the calendar back to back from January through August. Kids are learning to play as young as 5; and in the spring, both boys’ and girls’ teams dominate fields at … Read more

Kangaroo Kingdom: Mom’s Utopia

Kangaroo Kingdom: Mom’s Utopia 14

Simply utter the word “snow” to a mom with a toddler or preschooler and you are liable to be greeted with a frozen, panicked look. While the fluffy white stuff is undoubtedly festive, it may have you feeling a little crazed when faced with the reality of months of being housebound with a rambunctious child. … Read more

The Scoop on Denver Hotspot: Little Man Ice Cream

The Scoop on Denver Hotspot: Little Man Ice Cream 16

As much as we love Denver’s nonstop sunshine, some hot summer days require a way to beat the heat. Little Man Ice Cream’s frosty ice creams, gelatos and sorbets are summertime favorites for residents of Denver’s trendy Highland neighborhood. The shop, shaped like a giant metal milk can, is tucked behind modern Mexican restaurant hotspot … Read more