Lifestyles April 2023

LIFESTYLES

the of Evergreen is growing HeART

By Lisa Nierenberg Center for

the Arts Evergreen

For 49 years, Center for the Arts Evergreen (CAE), has worked to bring the arts and the community together.  In addition to bringing world renowned and award-winning art to the mountain community, CAE has created a space where all are welcome, creativity is nurtured, and individual expression is encouraged. Over time, CAE’s dedicated sta and volunteer have created a multi-cultural art center.

As CAE gets ready to break ground and add 5,800 sq to its existing building, it’s a great time to re ect on the history and importance of art in our community. e vision for Phase II started long before current executive director, Lisa Nierenberg’s tenure at CAE. In 1974, a group of art enthusiasts forged a plan to provide moun-

FEATURE OF THE MONTH

tain area residents with an avenue to experience a wide variety of art, while also bringing high-level art instruction to our community. is organization was called the Evergreen Area Council for the Arts, and is now known as Center for the Arts Evergreen. In 2003, CAE moved into its rst location at the Miller House, adjacent to Buchanan Rec Center, with plans to nd a permanent home. anks to the generosity and support of the mountain community, CAE purchased, renovated and moved into our current location in the old Bergen Park Church in 2017, where the center continued to thrive and we began to raise money to build Phase II.

When the world was forever changed in 2020 due

to the pandemic, plans were put on hold, priorities changed, and CAE witnessed and understood rsthand “why art matters.” People wanted a place to create, learn and discover. e community needed the arts more than ever and CAE needed the community. CAE pivoted, reimagined, and found new ways to keep the Arts Alive in the Mountain Community. It brought artists, art enthusiasts, members, and leaders of the mountain community together. CAE became a sanctuary for self-expression and because of that, the arts stayed alive and solidi ed CAE’s place in Evergreen.

It is because of the generosity and support of the community that CAE is thriving. According to Lisa Nierenberg, “Whether you have attended one of our exhibit openings, learned something new through one

AN ADVERTISING SECTION OF COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA | VOL. 15 ISSUE 4 • APRIL 2023

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of our classes, enjoyed an evening with friends at one of our concerts, or perhaps attended or volunteered at Summerfest, we hope CAE has had a positive impact on you or a loved one. However you have participated, we hope your experience has reignited your imagination and reminded you ‘why art matters.’” Nierenberg stated that art matters because it evokes emotion and challenges us to think and feel di erently. It is an outlet for creativity, a conversation for change

and a look into the complex world we live in. It is also an avenue of hope, of the joy of self-expression, and a connection point for people of di erent minds to come together. It is quite simply a mix of universal human truths and our need to be understood.

In pursuit of CAE’s mission, it is excited to bring the arts and community together by doubling its space for all to enjoy. e new addition will include a ceramic studio, artist-in-residence program, artist studios and a 1,200 square-foot community space that

Please see CAE, Page 6

ArborRx Family Tree Service: Looking to ‘Branch’ Out in Many Directions

By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles

ArborRx Family Tree Service has served residential, business, and commercial customers in Evergreen, Conifer, Denver, and surrounding areas since 2010. e company provides year-round comprehensive prescriptive treatments and/or wellness care for your trees/ plants; storm damage repair, re/pest mitigation—and more. In recent months, owners Bryan and Jennifer Nash have purchased snowplow equipment and a new masticator machine (similar to a woodchipper) to expand their company’s services to its customers.

Arborist and Certi ed Fire Mitigation Specialist Bryan Nash has a vision to scale up his business and branch out in many directions without losing pro tability or compromising customer care or the quality of his company’s current services/ products.

“I am not a logger or ne furniture maker by any means,” said Bryan Nash, “but we sometimes ‘step out on a limb’ and make rustic furniture from logs and branches that we’ve salvaged and ‘saved’ from land lls and/or home replaces. Occasionally, we open up our Conifer Project Container to the public, let them buy some stu , and then close it up and forget about it for a while.”

Recently, Bryan’s next step for expansion involved lling out an application to take part in NextCycle Colorado, a business accelerator that challenges businesses/organizations/

non-pro ts, universities, and entrepreneurs to pursue innovative projects that will develop new, or improve existing, recycling and composting end-markets in the state. irty companies applied for the NextCycle Colorado program, but only ten, including ArborRx Family Tree Service, were chosen. Participants will be able to advance their end-market endeavors through: no-cost consulting support provided by Resource Recycling Systems’ (RRS) and project/subject matter experts (SMEs), a multi-day business planning-focused boot camp (with paid travel/attendance costs), and participation in a (May/2023) Pitch Competition to potential funders/investors/partners and community leaders.

“Having worked on the recycling aspect of my business for a while, I am now considering a little slash yard recycling operation in the Conifer area,” said Bryan Nash who also hopes to get an air curtain burner device to control air emissions during burning.

“I wouldn’t mind gauging public support and/or criticism to determine if there are community residents who want to talk about this and who might even want to support my project. My business model could also create about 15 new jobs for the Conifer area.”

For service information, appointments, or to contact Bryan Nash with input/comments regarding his proposed Conifer slash yard recycling operation; visit ArborRx Family Tree Service (https://arborrxfamily.com or 720-6297033).

4 Ways to Get Involved This Global Volunteer Month

(StatePoint) Global Volunteer Month, celebrated throughout April, is a time to recognize people who actively support their communities through volunteerism and active civic engagement. It’s also a time to get in on the action. However, if you’re like many people, you may not know where to begin.

Research from Points of Light, a global nonpro t organization dedicated to inspiring, equipping and mobilizing people to take action that changes the world, shows 73% of people believe that volunteering is more important than ever, yet 66% think they can’t make a big impact in their communities. Global Volunteer Month can help point people in the right direction.

“April is an annual opportunity for companies and nonpro ts to inspire individuals to action, share stories of

those doing good, and create a pathway for continued engagement,” said Diane Quest, interim president and CEO, Points of Light. “Over the past four years since our inaugural Global Volunteer Month, we have seen people increase their commitments to creating a just and equitable world.”

is year, Points of Light is partnering with leading sponsor Phillips 66 and supporting sponsor UPS to encourage individuals, nonpro ts and corporate partners to engage in their communities. As part of the campaign, they are sharing four great ways to participate:

1. Stay Local: While volunteering with any type of mission can help to better the world, people tend to be more impacted by volunteer opportunities from which they can observe the fruits of their labor. Collaborate with local nonpro ts to a ect

change in the place where you live, work and play. Visit Points of Light Engage, https://engage.pointso ight.org/, to nd an opportunity today in your city or zip code and based on your interests.

2. Volunteer With Friends and Family: Families can support their communities by volunteering together. Consider working at a local food bank, participating in community clean-up initiatives, or organizing donation drives for local charities. Volunteering as a family not only provides a chance for quality time together but also encourages children to develop empathy and social responsibility. By volunteering, families can strengthen relationships, build community connections, and make a positive impact in their communities.

3. Recognize and Expand What You’re Already Doing: While many of us think about volunteering in a formal way with

longer time commitments and structures, civic engagement comes in all forms. Informal actions like helping a neighbor and leveraging your purchase power all make up civic action. Ask yourself: how could I take three to ve actions around one cause area that’s important to me to make greater impact? Find out how through the Points of Light Civic Circle https://www.pointso ight.org/civic-circle/.

4. Say a Simple ank You: At its core, Global Volunteer Month is about thanking those already volunteering and making an impact. Take a minute to send a thank you to a special volunteer in your life or an organization that is giving its time and talent to make your community stronger.

“ ere are many paths to living a full, civic life. Now is the perfect time to make a plan to join the celebration, today and every day,” says Quest.

We Fix Leaky Chimneys!

Ahh, springtime! e snow is melting, the trees are budding, the owers are blooming, and your chimney is leaking. Are you seeing water stains on your ceiling or hearing suspicious dripping? A er a Colorado winter, with months of snow and ice sitting against your chimney, spring is when we notice the new leaks that have formed. Have you thought about calling your local replace and chimney experts to gure them out?

Our Chimney Safety Institute of America Certi ed technicians will perform a thorough Leaky Chimney Inspection to determine where the water is coming in, and how to stop it. If you suspect your chimney of allowing water into your home, call us today! We can solve your leaky chimney problems.

Most people are unfamiliar with the parts to a chimney system that can allow water in. e weak points of a chimney vary depending on whether it’s a masonry or factory-built chimney. Parts of your chimney will degrade with time, UV rays from sunlight, hail damage, and the repeated freezing and thawing of a Colorado spring. ere are usually several suspected weak points when there are signs of water intrusion. is makes it challenging to identify exactly where the water is coming from. O en, the location of apparent water damage does not reveal the actual location of the source of the leak.

If you have a masonry chimney you may believe that it will last forever, but that is simply not true. Masonry chimneys are

susceptible to degradation just like any other material. is degradation happens faster than most people expect with the unpredictable winter and spring weather in Colorado. We see damage to masonry chimneys from rain and hail; however, the freeze/thaw cycle is most destructive, that is why it’s so important to keep water owing o and away from your chimney.

Masonry chimneys are made of ue tiles which are supported by cinder blocks and stone or bricks. ey also have a concrete crown at the top. e concrete crown is designed to be the “lid” to your masonry chimney, it keeps water out and sheds the water away from the sides of the chimney. Concrete crowns on brick or block chimneys, should have a 2-inch overhang with a drip edge which prevents water from running down and eroding the mortar joints. If you’re missing a 4-5” concrete slab with an overhang and drip edge atop the masonry, that’s a strong indicator of water intrusion problems. We can pour a new crown for your chimney or apply Crown Coat to seal any cracks you may have in your chimney crown.

When your crown isn’t de ecting water away from the sides of your chimney, water seeps through your mortar joints. is problem becomes even larger when the moisture freezes and expands. Freezing water expansion exerts tremendous pressure on surrounding masonry materials, creating cracks which then allow more water in. As this cycle continues, the damage compounds with each freeze and thaw.

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Eventually there may be no mortar le at all, allowing rain or snowmelt directly into your home. Our chimney experts can repair water damage to masonry and mortar, keeping your chimney leak free and maintaining the integrity of your home.

If you don’t have a masonry chimney, you’re still at risk of chimney leaks. If you have a framed wooden box, called a “chase”, enclosing your venting system, those materials can also wear out and allow water into your home. e top of a chase system must have a proper cover, chimney cap, and storm collar. e weakest point of the chase is the sheet metal chase cover. Chase covers are more susceptible to rain and hail than masonry chimneys. Over time, dents form and the cover sags on top, collecting water and rusting through. A new chase cover is sloped from the center with drip edges designed to shed water away from the sides of the chase. If water runs down the sides of your chase, it can enter through gaps in the façade on your chase. Chases are also ashed to the roo ine, and that can be another area water sneaks its way in to wreak havoc on your home.

Whether your chimney is masonry or you have a framed chase and factory-built chimney, a proper chimney cap is your rst line of defense against a leaky chimney. If you look up at your chimney and there isn’t a cap, call us right away!

e structure around your ue may be tight but if you’re missing your cap or you have a damaged or improperly sized cap, it

allows water straight into the home. Water intrusion from a missing cap can lead to problems in both masonry and factory built chimneys, with repercussions that a ect not just your replace and chimney system but other parts of your home as well.

Our leaky chimney inspection evaluates your entire chimney or chase. Damage from a chimney leak only gets worse if it isn’t addressed quickly. If you notice any suspicious water stains, or hear dripping and can’t nd the source, protect your home and your investment, call us! Our technicians are certi ed by the Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Fireplace Institute. ey have the experience and expertise to take on your leaky chimney problems and any other replace or chimney needs you have. We also have industry speci c techniques, such as special ashing for sealing the uneven edge where masonry chimneys meet the roo ine. Put our 25 years of chimney experience in the foothills to work for you! If the one thing about spring that you are not enjoying is a mysterious water leak in your ceiling, we can help! We can also take on your other replace and chimney needs from sales and installation to annual service and repairs. Give Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney a call today at (303) 679-1601. You can also reach us at O ce@ MtnHP.com, or visit our website: www. MtnManChimney.com. You’re invited to visit our showroom at 7001 Highway 73 in Evergreen.

CAE

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will serve as both a collaborative space for artists, as well as providing additional classroom opportunities. Building on the o erings of the current center, the new multi-purpose room will be available for the public to rent in the evenings and on weekends. A large courtyard will sit adjacent to the commu-

nity room, which will provide indoor/outdoor space for added exhibits, concerts, and community space. CAE is working with EVstudio, architects, and Himmelman Construction to bring the new building to life.

Programming for the addition will include more classroom space for all mediums. Artists will have a variety of membership opportunities.

CAE is currently working on a new line of programming that will include special events such

as Last Fridays – a monthly celebration for the mountain community that will have food trucks, live entertainment, and, of course, shopping. CAE will invite all mountain area nonpro ts to use the new space free of charge for board meetings and retreats. Evenings and weekends, the community space will be available to rent. In short, CAE’s vision is to create a gathering place for people to converse and create.

As CAE begins to make this

dream a reality, they invite the community to invest in the future of the mountain area. ey are still accepting donations. As with everything over the past few years, cost of materials and labor has gone up. CAE has 90% of the funds secured, with every intention to have 100% by the completion of the project, which is scheduled for December 2023. Center for the Arts Evergreen was built and is owned by this wonderful community. It exists for everyone to enjoy. CAE is,

and always will be, a safe place for folks to come together to express their joys and sorrows through the power of art. If you are interested in investing in the future of Evergreen, please consider a donation to CAE. When generous people choose to be a part of a legacy that will last well beyond their personal in uence, they invest far into the future.  Donations and support made today will make a di erence in the lives of thousands of people.

Take These 6 Steps to Manage Your Blood Pressure

(StatePoint) High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, a ects nearly half of adults in the United States, and only about 1 in 4 with this condition have it under control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hypertension can be dangerous and in many cases, fatal. In 2020, it was a primary or contributing cause of more than 670,000 deaths nationwide. Medical experts say that controlling your blood pressure is possible and it starts with having the right information.

“Nearly half of all American adults have high blood pressure, and many don’t even know it. High blood pressure is a ‘silent killer,’ o en having no overt symptoms, but increases the

likelihood of heart attack, stroke and other serious health risks. I urge you to know your numbers and make the simple lifestyle changes that can help you control your blood pressure and live a long and healthy life,” says Jack Resneck Jr., M.D., president of the American Medical Association (AMA).

To get on the right track, consider these tips and insights from the AMA:

1. Know your numbers. Hypertension is diagnosed when your systolic blood pressure is greater than 130 mmHg or your average diastolic blood pressure is greater than 80 mmHg. Visit ManageYourBP.org to better understand your numbers.

2. Monitor blood pressure. Once you learn your blood

pressure numbers, take and keep regular records using an at-home blood pressure monitor. For an accurate reading, the CDC says to sit with your back supported for 5 minutes before starting and wait at least 30 minutes a er drinking or eating a meal. You should also avoid stimulants for at least 30 minutes beforehand, as the CDC says that smoking and drinking alcohol or ca eine can elevate your blood pressure. If you take medication for hypertension, measure your blood pressure before your dose. Share your numbers with your health care provider.

3. Eat right. Reduce your intake of processed foods, especially those with added sodium and sugar. Eat less red

meat and processed meats, and add more plant-based foods, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and olive oil to your diet. Also, reduce your consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and drink more water instead. Drinking sugary beverages, even 100% fruit juices, is associated with a higher all-cause mortality risk, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open.

4. Drink alcohol only in moderation. If consuming alcohol, do so in moderation as de ned by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans -- up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age.

5. Be more physically active. Do at least 150 minutes a week

of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity. Be sure to include a mix of cardiovascular exercise, strength training and exibility. Obtain guidance from your doctor if you aren’t sure if it is safe for you to exercise.

6. Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, losing as little as 5 to 10 pounds may help lower your blood pressure. Consult your doctor about safe ways to maintain a healthy weight.

“Unmanaged hypertension can have life-altering consequences,” says Dr. Resneck. “ e good news is that there are many ways you can take control of your blood pressure and your health.”