Evergreen Lifestyles November 2022

Make an Impact for Local Nonpro ts Through Colorado Gives Day

By: Cindy Lempke Special to Lifestyles

e stories behind the establishment of our mountain area nonpro ts share a common thread: residents identify an unmet need, create a vision, tap into a ‘can do’ attitude, and form a sustainable organization for the bene t of the community. As a result, our mountain area nonpro ts play a major role in the lives of local residents by providing essential services, making the arts and cultural activities accessible, and engendering a deep sense of civic pride. e annual Colorado Gives Day o ers an important opportunity to give back to these vital organizations that rely on donations for their continued viability. While December 6 is o cially designated as Gives Day, online donations are already being accepted through www.coloradogives.org

Anderson, Farmers Insurance Agency

“Our area nonpro ts are crucial to the health and well-being of our community,” says Bruce Anderson, community volunteer and owner of Bruce Anderson Farmers Insurance Agency. “We rely on these organizations to provide basic services, create awareness and opportunities to help our neighbors in need, conserve our natural surroundings, and elevate our lives through the arts. Without a doubt, our mountain area nonprofits are the heartbeat of our community and Colorado Gives Day is an important lifeline to help sustain them.”

Created and managed by the Community First Foundation, Colorado Gives Day began in 2010 to encourage charitable giving from donors who want to make an impact in their local community. In addition to the donations which go directly to support the des-

“Without a doubt, our mountain area nonpro ts are the heartbeat of our community and Colorado Gives Day is an important lifeline to help sustain them.”

Bruce

Area residents enjoy a hike in the Floyd Hill open space where Mountain Area Land Trust led a successful initiative to conserve 108 acres of meadow and forested land.

From

ignated nonpro t(s) of the giver’s choice, First Bank’s Community First Foundation allots a portion of the total contributions collected through its incentive fund to each participating charitable organiza tion.

e Mountain Area Coalition of Nonpro ts, formed 12 years ago by Betsy Hays, now Resource Development Director of Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice, has galvanized its member organizations to join forces. ey pool and maximize their limited adver tising dollars and work together to bring awareness to Colorado Gives Day.

According to coalition leader Christine Emery, who is Managing Director of

MOUNTAIN AREA NONPROFITS

PARTICIPATING IN COLORADO GIVES DAY

Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity

Bootstraps, Inc.

Center for the Arts Evergreen

Evergreen Christian Outreach Elk Run Assisted Living

Evergreen Animal Protective League

Evergreen Audubon

Evergreen Chamber Orchestra

Evergreen Children’s Chorale

Evergreen Players

Evergreen Rotary Foundation

Evergreen Sustainability Alliance

Life’s Options Pregnancy Center

Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice

Mountain Area Land Trust

Mountain Resource Center

Mountain Youth Musicals

Ovation West Performing Arts Resilience1220

Sculpture Evergreen

StageDoor eatre

e Foundation of Mountain Foothills Rotary e Venue eatre

Elk Run Assisted Living: Thankful for the Sweet and Bittersweet Memories of an Unforgettable Year

By Jo Ann M. Colton   Special to Lifestyles

From time to time, we have all had a taste of life that has been both “sweet” and “bitter.” Nonetheless, Elk Run Assisted Living, 31383 Frost Way in Evergreen, is reminding everyone that anksgiving Day is forthcoming, so now is the time to give thanks for everyone and everything in our lives.

is congenial (65-years and older) senior-living community kicked o 2022 with “ ooded” memories of December 18, 2021 when a third- oor sprinkler system burst its way into the rst- oor dining room where waters measured mid-calf deep. It took months of reconstruction to repair extensive damage, including many areas rendered uninhabitable.

“In life we don’t always have control

over what happens. An upbeat attitude is critical to changing something neg ative into something positive,” said Elk Run Executive Director Kristen Fite. “Unexpected situations can lead to bigger and better things to come. We are pleased that the united e orts of residents and sta moved us beyond this catastrophe.”

As the community re ects upon this year, it is thankful for Elk Run’s safe envi ronment; remodeled basic one-bedroom apartments or studio rentals with kitch enette/private bath, personal call system/ mobility-assistance features, and snack/ beverage bar availability. Community amenities showcase a beauty/barber salon, great room with replace, a library, and wireless internet service free to everyone throughout the building.

Residents appreciate Elk Run’s two onsite nurses, and are grateful for the

well-trained sta committed to providing 24/7 compassionate care and personal levels of assistance as needed. Elk Run also partners with Life Care Center of Evergreen and Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice.

Community members are not only thankful for three daily delicious meals in the newly-renovated dining room, but also for Margaret “Shorty” Martinez. Shorty, a sensational/inspirational force at breakfast/lunch (Monday-throughursday) joined the sta one year ago. She not only caters to the mealtime needs and wants of the residents, she also knows how to keep the crowd happily engaged with her humor and special brand of (music/singing/dancing) entertainment.

With a variety of outdoor/indoor activ ities year-round: “Happy Hour,” bocce ball, competitive games/board games,

exercise classes, Sunday matinee movies, spiritual/bible study, pet therapy, school partnerships, and enrichment programs (visits/presentations from area artists/ musicians, ballet dancers), there is always something exciting happening at Elk Run!

Because the community understands it cannot spell “grateful” without the “u,” it extends its gratitude to all of YOU…families of Elk Run and people of Evergreen/surrounding communities for the support it has received throughout 2022.

Life is a gi for which we should all be thankful. Why not live the life that most inspires you? Consider moving to Elk Run Assisted Living where life is better to gether at anksgiving time—and all the time. Contact Monica Carruth (Monica. Carruth@cassialife.org / 303-679-8777) for residency information.

Window Weatherization 101

(StatePoint) Prepping windows for cold, gusty weather is essential no matter your home’s age, but what exactly needs to be done? Read on for the ultimate breakdown of how to seal windows and protect your home from the winter chill.

Step 1 – Test for Air Leaks. Any style of window could have small air leaks that allow dra s and moisture to enter without your knowledge. Check your windows’ seals by lighting a match or candle and seeing if the smoke is a ected by a breeze. e smoke trail can help pinpoint any small cracks you should address while weatherizing.

Step 2 – Fill the Seals. Reinforcing the seal around the entire window frame will ensure it’s ready for cold weather. Using a product such as Duck brand Foam Weatherstrip Seals will help form a solid

barrier around window edges, thanks to self-adhesive foam strips that block dra s. is can help lower utility costs by stopping leaks. Updating these seals every few years helps keep the window frame in the best possible shape and maintains protection from the winter winds.

Step 3 – Restore with Paint. Updating your window with a fresh coat of primer and either paint or stain helps keep it in great condition for a change in season. Not only will it provide a new look, but paint or stain also creates a tight seal around the wood framework and acts as an additional barrier for pinhole cracks or air leaks.

Step 4 – Insulate the Frame. Winter weather can be brutal in certain regions. Rolled Window Insulation Kits are crystal clear and create an additional cold-air

barrier for when you need extra protection on top of foam seals. e window kit lm comes in an easy-to-use roll of shrink lm, which means no measuring is needed, and excess lm can be cut once applied. Once secured to indoor window frames, the lm provides an airtight seal that can be removed once warmer weather arrives.

Step 5 – Add ermal Protection. A er preparing your window for the approaching winter winds, swap out your everyday curtains for thicker, thermal fabric window treatments. ese insulating curtains typically have two or three layers of thick fabric, combined

with a layer of acrylic foam, to prevent air in ltration and cold.

Precautionary steps to seal in warm air and keep out potential dra s will help reduce energy costs this winter – and help protect the longevity (and comfort) of your home.

Fight o chills with a new replace!

Are you afraid to light your replace? Do you feel a chill creeping through your house in the evenings? If so, then it’s time for you to consider replacing your replace, stove, or insert with something that makes you feel safe and warm. Today’s high-e ciency replaces are a great source of heat to ght o the chill and bring beauty into your home.

Mountain Hearth & Patio has installed replaces in the Foothills communities and Denver metro for over two decades. Our CSIA & NFI-Certi ed sta are experienced experts who will create the perfect replace installation to bring added heat into your home. Our high-end, e cient replace options are great for looks as well, with tons of design options to choose from that will make your replace and surround uniquely your own.

Before you select a replace, you’ll need to choose what fuel to burn. e two most popular fuel options for modern replaces, stoves, and inserts are wood and gas. Current wood and gas burning replaces are e cient and e ective heaters that can even save you money on your fall and winter heating bills. Which fuel you burn comes down to your own aesthetic and heating preferences. e hearth industry divides gas burning appliances into three di erent categories: replaces, stoves, and inserts. Fireplaces are framed into the wall. ey are perfect for installation where there was never a replace before or where there was previously a factory built replace that has been removed. Inserts—also known as “ replace

inserts”—are designed for installation in a pre-existing masonry or factory built replace as an upgrade to an outdated or ine cient appliance. ey are an excellent way to bring heat to a chilly room. Gas stoves are freestanding appliances that sit right on the oor in your space.

Gas hearth appliances tend to be highly customizable—especially replaces and inserts. e come with a variety of design options from traditional to contemporary. Whether you want a sleek linear design with dri wood and glass burner media or something more traditional full-view with oak logs and a hand-hammered front, there’s a replace option to match your home. Gas stoves are made of either steel or cast iron, selected for their heating properties and also have various design options such as colorful enamel nish and even interchangeable castings on some models.

Our gas burning replaces are designed to transform your home heating. ese e cient appliances bring powerful heat to your space and can save you money on your heating costs through the winter months. Our NFI-Certi ed sales sta can understand your heating needs and help you select the perfect appliance for your space. Whether you’re looking for a powerful source of heat or a beautiful aesthetic centerpiece for your home or some combination of the two, we can help.

Like gas appliances, wood burners come in replaces, stoves, and inserts as well. Contrary to popular belief, you can install a new solid fuel appliance in the Denver

Metro area as long as it meets the EPA standard of 2.5 g/hr. particulate emissions. All of our wood burning appliances meet or exceed this stringent standard and are highly e cient heaters. Now is the best time to upgrade your wood-burning appliance because there is a federal tax credit o ering 26% back on qualifying appliances!

Wood burners are also customizable. Fireplaces and inserts come with a variety of doors and fronts so you can choose the perfect look for your house, from modern and elegant to traditional and cozy. Wood burning stoves are constructed of di erent materials chosen for their heating characteristics. Steel stoves heat up and cool o quickly, cast iron stoves retain a little more heat and warm a little slower, soapstone stoves retain and radiate heat for a long period; however, they also take the longest to warm up. Many cast iron stoves are available in a variety of colorful enamels to create a unique look that will stand out in your home.

Mountain Hearth & Patio excels at replace, stove, and insert installations. For us, the typical replace installation takes a day or less—a day to transform your home and your heating. Our NFI-Certi ed experts know their way around the challenges and requirements for successful replace installations. From clearance-to-combustible materials to venting and chimney requirements, they’ll be able to create the perfect replace installation for your home.

Once we install your replace, there are plenty of nish options to perfect the look of your new centerpiece. In fact, when it comes

to nishing, you’re limited only by your imagination and the need to meet proper clearances. Whether you want the popular ledgestone look or contemporary tile, you can nish your replace project however you wish. A new replace should be a centerpiece and we can help you make yours stunning.

If you’re happy with your current replace, it’s important to have it serviced and inspected annually. Annual service from a certi ed replace professional will keep your replace running safely and e ciently for years to come. If you burn wood, you’ll need a chimney sweeping to remove hazardous creosote buildup from your chimney to reduce the risk of a hostile chimney re. For gas, you need the inside of the rebox cleaned, the media refreshed, and the components of the replace tested and inspected to ensure proper function of the replace.

At Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney and Mountain Hearth & Patio we’ve been selling, installing, and maintaining replaces in the Denver Metro and the Foothills for over twenty years. Whether you want to transform your home heating and create a beautiful centerpiece for your home or you just need annual replace service, we can help. Our replace experts know how to keep your system running safely and e ciently.

Give us a call at (303) 679-1601, visit our website at MtnHP.com, or come by our showroom at 7001 Highway 73 in Evergreen to learn more. We’ll solve your replace problems and help you bring safe, e cient, and beautiful heat to your home.

Make your hearth the heart of your home

replace is the perfect centerpiece for holiday ambiance to keep your family warm while you make happy memories. Whether you want to upgrade or get your replace working with repairs, we can help you have the replace of your dreams!

You CAN Cope With Stress During the Holiday Season

By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles

As we slowly recover from the throes of COVID-19 a er enduring more than three years of pandemic conditions, many people are experiencing harsh burnout. Now, as we head into this holiday season, a stressful time for many even under the best of conditions, people are likelier to feel they have to over-perform and make up for all that lost time.

“All the worldly resources at your disposal cannot prevent stress,” said Christine Kahane, nationally BoardCerti ed Executive Coach and Health & Wellness Coach and owner of Kahane Coaching, 30792 Southview Drive/ Suite 206 in Evergreen. “No matter how well-prepared or well-informed you are about life, you are going to feel the onand-o e ects of stress every day.”

Stress, a strain on your mental and/or emotional state usually caused by adverse circumstances, is not always a bad thing. In small doses stress shakes up the status quo, causes us to ask di erent questions, nd di erent options, and make di erent choices. But, if you are in a situation where you are under compounded stress that hasn’t found relief or release and you don’t quite understand what’s yours to deal with and what is outside the scope of your capacity to self-regulate, that chronic stress leads to burnout. Burnout causes inner-con ict and wears us down…men-

tally/emotionally/physically. At work you can feel overworked and under-appreciated; at home you are o en exhausted and unmotivated.

Introverts manifest burnout when their daily routine is disrupted for weeks at a time. Emotionally you might feel anxiety, depression, a heightened sense of dread, and a lack of motivation, which causes you to struggle with creativity and new ideas. Extraverts’ underlying feelings can be the same, but su ering o en manifests when you get disconnected or detached from your work and/or personal relationships.

Be aware of warning signs and don’t hesitate to seek assistance if you experience: exhaustion, alienation or shutdown from work or home activities, and/ or reduced work or home performance. Christine uses a number of techniques that integrate your communication styles, behavior patterns, and preferences, and she can help you cope with burnout and stress.

As your coach, Christine Kahane does not give advice, but she does listen intently to what you have to say. She builds working relationships standing alongside her clients on a one-on-one basis or in small groups.

Kahane Coaching (303-589-5456/www. kahanecoaching.com) o ers a 30-minute complimentary coaching introduction in-person, by telephone, or on Zoom. Contact Christine today.

How to Create the Perfect Charcuterie Board for Your Holiday Party

(StatePoint) Are you hosting a holiday party and looking for a simple way to impress your guests?

e Texas Roadhouse Butcher Shop is sharing steps for building an eye-catching and mouth-watering charcuterie board that will add color, avor and variety to your holiday table.

1. Grab a platter or surface to display your charcuterie. Anything will work, even a simple cutting board. Just be sure to choose a size that you can ll completely.

2. Use dishes or ramekins of mismatched sizes, shapes and colors to hold dressings, toppings and sauces. is will keep your board clean and add fun visual details to the display.

3. Include two to four cheeses of contrasting avors and textures to please all palates, and to complement other elements of the board. e varieties you select should represent these basic categories: hard cheese, (such as Chardonnay Bellavitano) so cheese, (such as brie) and blue cheese (such as French Roquefort).

4. While a traditional charcuterie board typically sticks with cured meats,

the holiday season is the perfect occasion for adding depth and richness to your feast with grilled meats, such as let, sliced into strips. ose from Texas Roadhouse Butcher Shop are lean, avorful, and melt in your mouth, making them a natural choice for a hearty holiday spread. Whether you are ring up the grill or preparing on a cooktop, allow any

cooked meats to rest well before adding them to your board.

5. No charcuterie board is complete without some crunch. Add two to three options like pita crackers, crusty breads or toasted baguettes that will stand up to the weight of your meats and cheeses.

6. Now, add some brightness and sweetness to your board. Fresh fruits

like blueberries, strawberries and green grapes, and preserves such as peach pepper jam, will add contrast to rich, salty meats and cheeses. Don’t forget seasonal sweets and treats like so peppermints, peanut brittle, chocolate dipped pretzels and candied nuts.

7. You’ll want your charcuterie board to look as if it’s over owing. So, as you’re building it out, start with the largest elements like the cheeses and meats rst, followed by smaller items like crackers, fresh produce and sweets. Fill in any holes with sprigs of aromatic rosemary for trimming, along with additional portions of the smaller items. e various elements of the board should pair well together, so it’s okay if they touch.

For additional hosting tips, or to shop for seasonal gi s and your holiday spread, visit trbutchershop.com. For 15% o your order, use the promo code PARTY15.

To wow your guests and their tastebuds, take your charcuterie board to the next level with seasonal treats, grilled meats and a cornucopia of sweet and savory avors.

Christine Kahane

CO GIVES DAY

From Page 2

Ovation West Performing Arts, a coordinated approach is especially im portant this year given rising expenses and an increased demand for services. “With increasing in ation, costs are up for everyone,” said Emery. “We’ve experienced unanticipated spikes in utility bills, supplies, and facilities maintenance.”

“Our coalition is hopeful that moun tain residents will respond to our needs and give where they live” adds Emery. “We share a common goal of providing

localized, accessible programming and services thereby negating the need for our neighbors to travel down the hill.”

ere are 23 participating nonpro ts in the Mountain Area coalition. ey have met the criteria outlined by the Community First Foundation and been o cially accepted in accordance with the Foundation’s business practices. Each nonpro t organization has a des ignated page on the Colorado Gives Day website and visitors can view the list of local charitable entities by searching on location, name, and zip code. ere are more than 3,000 non-pro ts participat ing across the state.

“All of the contributions made to

nonpro ts through Colorado Gives are 100 percent tax deductible,” said Meaghan Moore, Public Relations Lead for the Mountain Area Coalition and Manager of Marketing and Events for Evergreen Christian Outreach (EChO). “Donations go directly to support programs o ered through the designat ed nonpro t. In this year’s economic climate, more and more families are struggling to thrive. EChO alone has seen a 40 percent increase in clients served in our Food Pantry in addition to our other programs.”

Contributors to last year’s Colorado Gives day will be receiving an email reminder in the next few weeks. e

appeal’s o cial website is live and accepting donations at www.colora dogives.org so there is no need to wait until December 6 to gi the nonpro t(s) you would like to support. Whether you have a special place in your heart for backing social services, animal welfare, activities for youth, the availability of the arts, environmental sustainability, in-home health services, education, or meeting the basic needs of families in crisis, your donation to Colorado Gives will make an immediate impact and enable our local nonpro ts to

deliver customized programs that enhance the lives of all who call the mountains their home.

e Center for the Arts Evergreen makes art accessible to the community through exhibits, cultural programming, classes and the annual Summerfest showcase of regional art and music.

Ovation West Performing Arts presents a full slate of theater and musical performances. Children interested in learning about musical theater and getting on-stage experience participate in an annual Summer Music Camp.

Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice provides a spectrum of services including hospice, palliative care, and in-home therapy. Patients recovering from injuries, surgeries and short-term illness receive rehabilitation services in their homes so they can recover and return to enjoying their favorite activities.

e Evergreen Chamber of Commerce ambassadors join Bruce Anderson at the rib bon-cutting for the new location of his Farmers Insurance Agency o ce along County Highway 73. e Chamber is one of several nonpro ts that Bruce supports through volunteerism and sponsorship.

Celebrate the Holiday Season with David Arkenstone and His Music

By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles

Musician/Composer/Performer

David Arkenstone has established himself as one of the best contem porary instrumentalists of our time, and he continues to create distinctive tracks that inspire the imagination. e 5-time Grammy® Award nominee (2021, 2020, 2004, 2000, and 1992) is embarking on a 3-state, 18-date 2022 Holiday Tour that begins right here in Idaho Springs, Colorado (12/1) and includes performances in Fort Collins (12/2), Denver (12/3), Colorado Springs (12/4), Buena Vista (12/6), Salida (12/7), Evergreen (12/8 at Center Stage), Palmer Lake (12/9), Boulder (12/10), and Longmont (12/11). Arkenstone’s holiday tour continues therea er with performances in Arizona and California. For venues, concert dates, ticket information, and more visit his website (davidarkenstone.com).

David Arkenstone has worked with many musical genres, including pro gressive rock, and has released 60-plus albums. is multi-talented entertainer has composed music soundtracks for

lms/ lm trailers, NBC Sports themes ( e Kentucky Derby, U.S. Figure Skating, Premier League Soccer, and more), historical reenactment dramas on the History and Discovery Channels, and video game scores, among them a heavy metal soundtrack for Emperor: Battle for Dune and the soundtrack for the World of Warcra .

Arkenstone, whose music is pri marily instrumental, has clearly found his niche in new age and neo-classical compositions that have been described as “soundtracks for the imagination.” Categorized by melodic harmonies, improvisation, and sounds reproduced from the natural world, his listeners o en feel a peaceful sense of calm that carries them on magical journeys within their minds.

When I asked David why he believes his music moves people the way it does, he stated, “I think it starts with me wanting to go on my own little adven ture. en I make this sort of ‘sound painting’ in my mind that takes me there. I try to keep it interesting, and I am fortunate that people like to go on these adventures with me…they like where I take them.”

David’s response made me wonder if his creativity manifests to him sponta neously or through a process he uses to create new music. “My creativity goes di erent ways,” said David. “Sometimes, when I am very lucky, my creativity ows in spontaneous bursts. Otherwise, it comes when I recall things that in spire me like trips to faraway places…or wherever I go.” David Arkenstone stated that it is easy for him to get inspired through dreams, books, and/or movies; he believes the world is just one big ball of inspiration to him. “I feel that I have a gi , but I also feel that there is a lot of cra involved in what I do.”

Arkenstone, who has learned to play piano, guitar, bass guitar, harp, cello, ute, and a variety of other musical instruments, will be joined on stage at each of his upcoming performances by four other musicians playing cello, violin, ute, and percussion.

“Our holiday show is not strictly new age music,” said David. “Lively and energetic, it also showcases a bunch of holiday songs. I have done many Christmas records, so we have a lot to pull from and we just jazz them up for the live performances.”

David Arkenstone, who lives in California, acknowledges that touring is hard work; but he feels it’s just incredibly awesome in winter, especially if it snows. He has never before been to Evergreen and some of the other Colorado towns he will be playing, so he is really looking forward to taking his enchanting holiday show to these places and hopefully seeing snow.

“Over the years I have done my holiday show in many states,” said David, “but when there’s winter weather outside, everything seems to feel more aligned with the spirit of the season.” For David’s sake…let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

“Come All Ye Faithful” music lovers and Arkenfans…visit David’s website (davidarkenstone.com) for Holiday Tour venues, concert dates, and ticket infor mation. Treat yourself to a memorable musical night with David Arkenstone at any, or all, of his ten Colorado concert engagements, including his December 8 appearance at Center Stage, 27608 Fireweed Drive, Evergreen, Colorado. Bring “Joy to YOUR World” and celebrate this holiday season with David Arkenstone and his glorious music.