Anita Menendez
Heather Slump, Brock Slump, & Connor Slump
Preferred Partners
This section has been created to give you easier access when searching for a trusted real estate affiliate. Take a minute to familiarize yourself with the businesses sponsoring your magazine. These local businesses are proud to partner with you and make this magazine possible. Please support these businesses and thank them for supporting the REALTOR® community!
ARCHITECT/BUILDER
Sheffield Homes (303) 420-0056 6777 Wadsworth Blvd Arvada, CO 80003 www.sheffieldhomes.com
DEVELOPER
Baseline, Broomfield baselinecolorado.com
FLOORING & TILE
Right This Way Flooring
Randi Pilon (303) 951-5575 2525 Arapahoe Ave, E34 Boulder, CO 80302 www.RightThisWayFlooring.com
HOME INSPECTION
ASG Home Inspections (720) 628-0655 www.asghomeinspections.com
Inspections Over Coffee
Bryan Zenner (720) 845-5282 InspectionsOverCoffee.com
Pillar To Post Home Inspectors
- The Rounds Team (303) 772-1997 roundsteam.pillartopost.com
HOME PREPARATION SERVICES
HOMEStretch (720) 404-6485 www.home-stretch.com/north-denver
INTERIOR DESIGN
Thrive Design (970) 688-0886 www.thrivedesign.co
MOVING COMPANY
The Good Move (720) 300-4130 www.thegoodmovellc.com
PAINTER
Paint EZ (720) 600-7030 paintEZ.com/boulder
RADON MITIGATION
Mile High Radon Control (720) 220-4063 www.milehighradoncontrol.com
SOLAR INSPECTION
Solar Service of Colorado (303) 551-6358 solarserviceofcolorado.com/
TITLE COMPANY
Elite Title Company LLC (303) 834-3901 elitetitlecolo.com
TITLE INSURANCE
First American Title Insurance Company (303) 449-8442
4940 Pearl East Circle, Ste 104 Boulder, CO 80301 FirstAmColorado.com
WINDOW CLEANING
Shine (303) 554-9281 shine-windowcleaning.com/location/boulder/
WINDOW SERVICES
KV Windows (720) 535-9629 kvwindowsinc.com
Meet The Team
John Mendez Publisher john.mendez@n2co.com 303-596-1685
Kim Ash Associate Editor ads.rpboulder@n2co.com
Dr. Felicia Santelli Writer: Health & Longevity drsantellifelicia@gmail.com
Elizabeth McCabe Writer Beth.McCabe@n2co.com
nicole.liskey@gmail.com
If you are interested in contributing or nominating REALTORS® for certain stories, please email us at john.mendez@n2co.com.
DISCLAIMER: The articles and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of The N2 Company d/b/a Real Producers (“N2”). Advertisements appearing in this publication are paid placements and are not endorsed or recommended by N2. N2 is not responsible for the statements, opinions, or business practices of any authors, contributors, or advertisers featured herein. Portions of this publication may include content created with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) tools by authors or contributors and may not be independently verified by N2.
SOLAR SERVICE OF COLORADO PLEASE WELCOME OUR NEW PARTNER
At Solar Service of Colorado, we specialize in solar inspections for real estate transactions, and we work as a resource for agents to keep deals moving forward. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
• We answer the questions buyers and sellers have about solar so you don’t have to
• We provide a comprehensive inspection report in plain English - no jargon, no confusion
• We assist with the transfer process with the lessor or PPA provider from start to finish
• We repair or replace damaged equipment and manage manufacturer warranties when applicable
When buyers feel confident about what they’re taking on, transactions close. That’s what we’re here for.
solarserviceofcolorado.com
Nicole Taylor Photography Photographer
Liv Michelle Berger The Headshot Gal Photographer theheadshotgal@gmail.com
MEET
ANITA MENENDEZ
THE WOMAN HELPING FAMILIES START OVER, ONE SOFT LANDING AT A TIME
At 11 p.m., while most houses are dark and quiet, Anita Menendez is often still awake, helping someone begin again.
Maybe it’s a family flying into Colorado after many exhausting hours of travel with three young children and too many suitcases. Maybe it’s a nervous father texting questions about schools. Maybe it’s a mother wondering how to open a bank account in a country she has never lived in before. Maybe it’s someone sitting in an airport overseas, wondering if uprooting their entire life is a terrible mistake.
And somewhere on the other end of the phone, Anita is there saying, “You’re going to be okay.”
Because for many of her clients, moving to Colorado is not just a move. It’s leaving behind careers, relatives, routines, languages, and the comfort of everything familiar. Some arrive with no Social Security number, no credit history, no car, and no idea where to begin. Others are escaping political unrest or war, trying to create stability for their children somewhere new.
One family Anita worked with last summer had their final visa appointment delayed after the U.S. embassy in their country was destroyed by a missile strike, delaying their closing
for a month. Another family became stranded overseas after flights shut down during a conflict. One father was so desperate to get his family safely to their new home in America that he considered chartering a sailboat to escape the region.
“It was intense,” Anita says. Stories like those stay with her.
“I think about how easy it was for us to move here compared to what some of these families go through,” she reflects. “Some of them give up absolutely everything to start over.” That perspective has shaped not only her business, but her heart for the people she serves.
“I love helping people feel grounded during these major transitions,” Anita says. “There is something really rewarding about meeting a family the first morning they arrive in Boulder, and then seeing them a couple years later happy and thriving.”
That heart for people has quietly become the foundation of her business.
Before real estate, Anita worked in international sales with Four
Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Her work took her all over the world. “It was an amazing job,” she recalls. “I would help plan incredible corporate experiences and travel with clients to make it happen.”
But eventually, life shifted toward family. Anita stepped away from the corporate world to raise her daughters while her own family experienced relocation after relocation. Over the course of 15 years, they moved nine times, including an international move to Australia.
Those experiences forever changed the way she views home.
“When we moved to Australia, it was quick, and we had never visited beforehand,” Anita says. “You don’t know where to live, what schools are best, or how things work.”
She remembers how overwhelming those first days felt and how meaningful it was when someone helped ease the transition. Today, she tries to become that person for others.
After returning to the United States, Anita began working
BY ELIZABETH MCCABE
PHOTOS BY NICOLE
TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY
with corporate relocation companies helping employees move to Colorado through partnerships with organizations including Google, Medtronic, and Ball Aerospace. Eventually, she transitioned into becoming the REALTOR® helping those relocating families directly. Today, roughly 30 percent of her business comes from international relocation clients.
“I can work with people over a year before I ever meet them,” she explains.
And what she provides extends far beyond buying and selling homes. Sometimes it means helping families understand the American housing market. Sometimes it means guiding them through school districts, contracts, or establishing credit. Sometimes it simply means making sure there are groceries waiting after a long international flight.
“When they’ve been traveling 30 hours with little kids, not having to go shopping is a relief,” Anita says. “I try to make it as easy as possible.”
She especially loves helping children adjust to their new surroundings. Whether it is the bunk beds they’ve always dreamed of waiting in their new bedroom, or a sled ready for a snowy arrival when they’ve never seen snow before, “I’ll do anything to help the children feel excited, happy, and safe,” she says.
Her clients often become much more than clients. Over time, many bring extended family members to Colorado. Parents follow their adult children. Friends recommend friends. Some eventually purchase investment properties after settling into their new lives. If they move back overseas, Anita is there to tie up loose ends, and not only sell their house, but help sell their car and furniture – many times to new clients coming in. “It’s awesome when it works out that way.”
“I learn so much from other people’s perspectives,” Anita says.
One former broker gave Anita a nickname that still makes her smile today. “She called me ‘Quiet Riot’,” she says. ‘I get things handled without the noise.” That steady presence? It comes naturally to her. Anita says she was raised by parents who lived lives rooted in humility, service, and showing up for others.
“My parents were servants at heart,” she says. “That applies to everything.”
Family means the world to Anita. “I am the luckiest person. I have the best family in the universe,” she smiles. She describes herself as incredibly close with her family and siblings, talking with them daily. Her daughters have inherited that adventurous spirit as well. Kathleen works as a paramedic at Denver Health and will soon begin nursing school to pursue her goal of becoming
a NICU nurse. Amelia has lived and worked all over, including Bahrain, Portland, New York City and now back in Colorado.
At home, Anita is happiest spending time with her family, traveling, reading, and hiking with Flynn, her energetic pointer dog who has been by her side for 13 years.
After helping so many families start over, Anita understands something that has very little to do with real estate itself: Sometimes the greatest luxury is simply having someone help carry the weight of the unknown.
in real estate Artificial Intelligence
OPPORTUNITY, RESPONSIBILITY, AND COMPLIANCE
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the way real estate professionals work. From creating property descriptions and marketing materials to managing client communications and virtual staging, AIpowered tools are helping agents save time and increase efficiency.
However, while these technologies offer significant benefits, they also introduce new responsibilities. Real estate professionals remain accountable for the accuracy and legality of any content produced with AI assistance. Understanding how to use these tools responsibly is becoming just as important as understanding the technology itself.
The Growing Role of AI in Real Estate
Today’s agents are increasingly relying on AI to streamline everyday tasks. Automated writing tools can generate listing descriptions in seconds, chatbots can respond to inquiries around the clock, and image-enhancement software can help properties make a stronger first impression online.
While these capabilities can improve productivity, they do not replace professional judgment. Every piece of AI-generated content should be reviewed by a knowledgeable human before it reaches consumers.
Fair Housing Considerations
One of the most important compliance concerns involves fair housing laws. Certain words or phrases generated by AI may unintentionally suggest preferences or limitations related to protected classes.
For example, descriptions that focus heavily on schools, family-oriented living, or neighborhood characteristics may create unintended implications. Agents should carefully review all AI-generated marketing language to ensure it remains inclusive and compliant with federal, state, and local fair housing requirements.
Using AI platforms that include fairhousing safeguards can provide an additional layer of protection, but human review remains essential.
Accuracy Matters
AI systems are only as reliable as the information they receive. Property descriptions generated by AI can occasionally include inaccuracies, assumptions, or features that do not actually exist.
Before publishing any listing information, agents should verify every statement for accuracy. Misrepresenting a property’s condition, amenities, or features—even unintentionally—can damage credibility and potentially create legal issues.
The same standard applies to AIgenerated emails, social media posts, and client communications.
Virtual Staging and Image Enhancements
Virtual staging has become a popular marketing tool, allowing buyers to visualize a home’s potential. However, transparency is critical.
When images have been digitally altered, enhanced, or virtually staged, those
modifications should be clearly disclosed. Alterations that conceal defects, structural issues, or other material conditions can mislead consumers and may violate professional standards.
Providing access to original photos alongside enhanced images can help maintain transparency and trust.
Best Practices for Responsible AI Use
Real estate professionals can reduce risk by following a few key guidelines:
• Review all AI-generated content before publication.
• Verify facts and property details independently.
• Clearly disclose virtual staging and significant image modifications.
• Evaluate AI tools for fair housing compliance features.
• Train team members on ethical AI use and current regulations.
• Maintain documentation of compliance procedures and review processes.
• Stay informed about evolving MLS, state, and federal requirements.
The Bottom Line
Artificial intelligence is likely to remain a valuable part of the real estate industry for years to come. When used thoughtfully, it can improve efficiency, enhance marketing efforts, and support better client service.
The key is remembering that technology does not replace professional responsibility. Real estate professionals must continue to prioritize accuracy,
transparency, fairness, and ethical conduct in every transaction. By combining the advantages of AI with
careful oversight, agents can benefit from innovation while protecting both their clients and their reputations.
MEET
BROCK, & CONNOR
HEATHER, Slump
BY ELIZABETH MCCABE • PHOTOS BY LIV MICHELLE BERGER, THE HEADSHOT GAL MOST KIDS GROW
UP WATCHING CARTOONS ON SATURDAY
MORNINGS.
Heather Slump’s four boys grew up helping install open house signs, moving furniture for listings, listening to real estate phone calls during dinner, and hearing conversations about contracts, closings, inspections, and negotiations long before they were old enough to understand any of it.
At the time, it was simply Mom’s job. Fast forward decades later, and it has become the family business.
“Out of my four sons, three are in real estate,” she says with pride.
Today, Heather works alongside two of her sons,
Connor and Brock, helping lead and grow Rhae Group Realty, the boutique brokerage she officially launched three years ago. That was after she spent more than two decades building her reputation in Colorado real estate.
“I got my license 25 years ago,” she smiles. “I’ve always
enjoyed looking at homes and knew that being a REALTOR® was something I wanted to do.”
Little did she know that her business would bloom and blossom. It’s not about sales numbers, though, for Heather. Real estate is rewarding because it is centered around family.
3 REALTORS®. ONE FAMILY. BUILDING DREAMS TOGETHER.
“It’s the best,” Heather says honestly about working with her sons. “I love coming in and having lunch with them or talking through deals together. They grew up watching how much I loved
this business, and now they have that same passion.”
That passion has fueled an exciting season for the brokerage.
After years of growth, Rhae Group Realty recently
celebrated the grand opening of its brand-new office in Louisville, Colorado, a project that officially began back in November 2024. What started as a smaller office in Broomfield quickly became too cramped for the vision Heather had in mind.
“We outgrew that space pretty fast,” she says. “We wanted something that could accommodate our agents, closings, team meetings, and future growth the way we envisioned it.”
But long before the office expansion, Heather was
simply a young mother raising four boys while trying to build a career she genuinely loved.
At the time, she was waiting tables and juggling motherhood with four sons born only about 18 months apart.
“It was chaos,” she laughs. Still, even then, real estate fascinated her.
“We would go on vacation, and I’d want to go look at houses,” Heather says. “I’ve always loved it.”
That passion eventually turned into a 25-year career built almost entirely around relationships and trust.
“I really believe people can tell when you genuinely care,” she says. “It’s not about numbers to us.
The first house is just as important as the forever dream house.”
Putting people first has become the foundation of Rhae Group Realty from the very beginning. “We are very client-driven,” Heather explains. “We want people taken care of from start to finish. That’s our focus.”
Another focus? Contracts. “We are here from A to Z. Everyone gets the same service.” Systems are set in place to make sure that everything is taken care of.
Today, the brokerage includes seven agents with plans to continue growing intentionally while maintaining its boutique culture.
“We’re not trying to become some giant brokerage where people feel like a number,” Heather says. “We want every client to get the same level of care.”
Still, family comes first. Heather and her sons, Brock and Connor, and their families
have Sunday dinners each week. There’s only one rule: no talking real estate! (They have all week to talk about clients, showings, and sales.)
What’s the secret to her success? “Loving my job and caring about people,” she says with delight. Heather takes her job to heart. “I think that is why we are so different from the typical agent,” she muses. “We are here to guide you through. And I really love it and that really shows.” Her sincerity shines through in every interaction she has with clients.
Together, they enjoy giving back to the community.
“We do Toys for Tots for Christmas,” says Heather. They are also big on team building. “Every month, all of our agents get together.” They may volunteer at the local food bank in Louisville or just enjoy a night at Topgolf. In the process, they strengthen relationships and build the brokerage’s “family feel.”
Brock and Connor think the world of their mother and feel it is a privilege to follow in her footsteps.
Brock: Relationship First, Sales Second
For Brock, real estate never felt unfamiliar. Why? He grew up surrounded by it.
“I watched my mom help families my entire life,” he says. “I saw the relationships she built and how much she genuinely cared.”
Now two years into the business himself, Brock focuses heavily on first-time homebuyers and investors while building his business through communication, social media, and longterm relationships.
“People gravitate toward honesty,” he says. “If you’re overly scripted or salesy, people can feel that.”
Connor & Family
Brock & Family
That lesson came directly from Heather.
“The best advice she gave me was to lead with relationships instead of just focusing on the closing,” Brock explains.
Outside of real estate, Brock enjoys skiing, wake surfing, and spending time with his wife Addy and their seven-month-old daughter Emerson, who has quickly become the center of the family’s world.
“My family motivates me,” he says. “That’s what drives everything.”
Of course, working with family also brings some competition. “We’re definitely competitive with each other,” Brock laughs about working alongside Connor. “But it’s honestly made us even closer.”
Connor: Elevating the Client Experience Connor entered real estate six years ago after trying several entrepreneurial ventures, including landscaping, professional Christmas light installations, and residential window cleaning businesses.
“I wanted something more personal,” Connor says. “I wanted to work with fewer people but actually know them.”
That realization shifted the way he approached both business and relationships.
“There are little things people mention in conversation that most people forget,” he explains. “Remembering those details
and following up later means everything.”
Today, Connor serves not only as a REALTOR®, but also as a success coach within the brokerage, meeting weekly with agents to help them strengthen systems, client relationships, and service standards.
“I’m very intentional,” he says. “I always want to elevate the experience clients receive.”
That mindset has helped shape the culture inside Rhae Group Realty as the brokerage continues growing.
“We want it to feel intimate and personalized,” Connor says. “We’re passionate about the communities we sell because we actually live here ourselves.”
Outside the office, Connor enjoys community involvement and holiday fundraising initiatives benefiting Children’s Hospital Colorado.
“I’m a huge holiday snob,” he jokes. He does a Christmas tree fundraiser. “For every tree that is decorated in warm white lights, I donate $25 to the Children’s Hospital Foundation. I started that last year, and it will be an annual thing that I do.”
He and his wife Marion are also raising their energetic 20-monthold son, Calum.
“He’s just as ornery as I am,” Connor laughs.
A Rewarding Life
For Heather, seeing her sons build
successful careers alongside her is something she never takes for granted. Her oldest son started custom design in Houston. He is married to his wife, who now works as a real estate agent in Houston.
“She is now very successful,” she says. “She started with me in college.” Heather taught her the ropes and now she is soaring on her own. Her son is also blazing his own trail. It’s all because Heather has led the way.
After decades spent answering phone calls during family dinners, dragging kids to open houses, and building a business from the ground up, she now gets to watch the next generation continue what she started.
And at the center of it all remains the same core values that built the brokerage in the first place: “Be yourself,” Heather says. “People can tell when it’s genuine.”
That authenticity may be exactly why the Slump family’s business continues growing. Because of the care that they have for their clients, relationships last long after the closing table.
Heather
Grand Opening Party: Photo by Ashlee Burke
5 UPGRADES HOME
THAT AREN’T WORTH THE COST BEFORE YOU SELL
Don’t Overspend Outdoors
Before you put your home on the market, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking every upgrade will automatically raise your selling price. But according to many real estate professionals, some expensive projects simply don’t deliver the return homeowners expect.
Instead of pouring thousands into major renovations, sellers are often better off focusing on simple cosmetic improvements that help buyers feel emotionally connected to the home the moment they walk through the door.
Curb appeal matters, but elaborate outdoor projects often don’t add as much value as homeowners hope. Luxury landscaping, custom water features, oversized patios, or outdoor kitchens may fit your personal taste, but buyers may not view them as essential.
A cleaner, well-maintained exterior typically has a bigger impact. Simple improvements like trimming shrubs, pressure washing sidewalks, adding fresh mulch, and keeping the lawn healthy can make the home feel cared for without overspending.
Skip the Major Kitchen Remodel
A beautiful kitchen can absolutely attract buyers, but a full-scale renovation right before selling is rarely worth the investment. Tearing out cabinets, replacing countertops, and redesigning the layout can quickly become expensive, and there’s no guarantee you’ll recover those costs in the sale price.
Smaller updates usually go much further. Fresh paint, updated cabinet hardware, modern light fixtures, and minor cosmetic improvements can make the space feel updated without the hefty price tag.
Avoid Highly Personal Design Choices
Bold wallpaper, dramatic tile patterns, or trendy statement pieces might reflect your personality, but they can also make it harder for buyers to picture themselves living in the home.
When preparing to sell, neutral and inviting spaces usually appeal to the widest range of buyers. Bright, clean rooms with simple finishes allow potential buyers to focus on the home itself rather than the current owner’s style preferences.
A Roof Replacement Isn’t Always Necessary
Many homeowners assume they need a brand-new roof before listing, but that’s not always the case. Unless the roof is actively leaking or showing major signs of damage, buyers generally understand that roofs naturally have some age on them.
If the roof still has several good years left, it may be smarter to leave it alone rather than investing in a costly replacement that won’t significantly increase your home’s value.
Focus on First Impressions
At the end of the day, buyers often make up their minds quickly. A home that feels clean, bright, and well cared for can leave a stronger impression than one filled with expensive upgrades.
Sometimes the smartest pre-sale investment isn’t a major renovation at all — it’s simply making the home look its absolute best.
RIGHT THIS WAY FLOORING
BY ELIZABETH MCCABE
LOCAL. TRUSTED. PROVEN.
Let’s face the facts. Purchasing flooring is often overwhelming. Not at Right This Way Flooring. From the moment a client walks through the door (or welcomes the team into their home), the experience is designed to feel different. More personal. More thoughtful. Like someone is right there beside you, helping you make one of the most impactful decisions you can make in your home.
Flooring isn’t just flooring. It sets the entire ambiance and atmosphere for a room. It’s what you walk on every
single day. And for Randi and her team, that matters.
After operating as a mobile business for about a year, Right This Way Flooring opened its carefully curated showroom in Boulder this past January, celebrating with a ribbon cutting at the end of March. The space itself was carefully thought out with approximately 1,200 square feet, which is not overwhelming and purposefully designed to make decisions easier, not harder.
“We didn’t want it to feel like a big box store,” they explain. “We curated everything so people don’t walk in and feel overloaded.”
Instead, clients are welcomed into a space that feels manageable, approachable, and even a little elevated. There’s carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl, tile, and stone, and every option has been chosen with care. Nothing random. Nothing filler. Expect to be impressed.
“RIGHT
THIS WAY.”
It’s a simple phrase, but for the team at Right This Way Flooring, it’s a promise. Expect to be taken care of from concept to completion with a dedicated team who consistently exceeds expectations. Their slogan says it all: “Stunning Floors. Done Right.”
IT’S ABOUT FINDING
WHAT FITS YOUR VISION.”
And yes… there’s even a red carpet. It’s part of the brand’s personality, complete with a mascot named Winston, a butler who greets visitors at the door. It’s a subtle nod to the company’s core value of white-glove service from start to finish.
Unlike many companies that limit choices or funnel clients into a handful of options, Right This Way Flooring takes a different approach. They listen first. They ask questions. They bring samples directly into the home so clients can see how materials look in their actual lighting, not just under showroom lights. Because what looks perfect in one setting can feel completely different in another.
“It’s about finding what fits your vision,” they say. Right This Way Flooring helps bring that vision to life, offering options that feel tailored, not overwhelming. That level of personalization extends to installation as well. Every installer is someone the team knows personally, professionals they’ve worked with for years. Even though the company itself is newer, the experience behind it runs deep.
“There’s nothing we haven’t seen,” they share. “And the same goes for our installers.”
Each project is handled with precision and communication, including dedicated project managers, detailed timelines, and even video updates
during installation. Clients aren’t left guessing. They’re informed every step of the way. And that matters, because flooring projects can be disruptive. But here, there are no surprises.
The company also backs its work with a lifetime guarantee on all installations, along with an on-time, on-budget guarantee. It’s a level of accountability that reflects their confidence and their commitment. Beyond service, they’re also paying close attention to what today’s homeowners actually need.
For busy households with kids and pets, vinyl flooring has become a standout option. It’s waterproof, scratch-resistant, and incredibly durable while still offering the look of real wood. For those drawn to natural materials, engineered hardwood provides the beauty of real wood with added stability, especially in drier climates. And for comfort-focused spaces like bedrooms and basements, carpet still plays an important role, especially with modern innovations like solution-dyed fibers that resist stains and maintain color over time.
There’s also a strong emphasis on health and sustainability, with ecofriendly, low-VOC, and Green Labelcertified products available throughout the showroom.
But at the heart of it all, this business isn’t about products. It’s about people.
“Your home is where you go to feel comfortable. You should love being there,” explains Randi. And sometimes, the transformation is immediate.
Switching from dark floors to lighter tones can make a space feel bigger. Moving from carpet to hard surfaces can make a home feel cleaner, brighter, and easier to breathe in. Even small changes can shift the entire atmosphere of a room.
That’s the kind of impact that keeps them energized. Because at the end of the day, they’re not just installing floors. They’re helping people fall in love with their homes all over again.
Sunday, September 27
5:00-7:00 p.m.
3295 30th St, Boulder
Join the Boulder Symphony & Music Academy for a special evening to kick o our exciting 2026–27 season and raise money for community programs. We’re gathering our VIP supporters, musicians, families, and partners for a festive celebration featuring:
• Live Music (short performances and background music)
• A three course meal from the iconic Boulder Cork (included in ticket price)
• Sneak Peek into the Upcoming Season with Music Director Devin Patrick Hughes
• Paddle raise to contribute to symphonic, educational, and community programs
• Opportunity to donate to the education and artistic programs
• A glass of sparking wine (included in ticket price)
Bring your curiosity, appetite, and musical spirit—we can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Special thanks to Boulder Cork for hosting this event and for providing a glass of sparkling wine to each guest!
“The drive to play is as fundamental as our drives for food and sleep.” Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of National Institute for Play in California.
Summertime is when we spend much of our days outdoors. We have more time to do what we enjoy. More time to do what we love; to be in sunlight taking in Vitamin D, to do something we call ‘play’.
Oxford dictionary has at least 50 definitions of play but let’s say play is anything that spontaneously is done for its own sake. Play is a state of mind that we have when we are absorbed in an activity that gives us enjoyment and a sense of time standing still. It is something we are motivated to do over and over.
Play has to do with motivation and mental attitude, not necessarily with behavior alone.
Two people may be doing the same thing, like throwing a ball, or working on the computer, but one may be playing and the other not. You can tell which is playing by their expressions and actions. And when we become so engrossed time seems to stop. We say we’re having ‘fun’, ‘relaxing’ or in ‘the zone’. This feeling we call ‘the play state’.
This ‘play state’ begins in the same place as our hunger, fear and caring. When we play connections are made and neurons in the brain light up creating a ‘play state’. The instinct to play is part of our biology, ‘play circuits’ in the brain according to a neuroscientist, that get activated and motivate us to play.
For instance, when we see a ball, a puppy, or a fun item, it activates our play nature and we feel an urge to engage with it, to
toss the ball or pet the puppy or joke with the friend. This inherent ‘nature’ grows as preferences expand and is like our unique fingerprints. And if not suppressed leads to our ‘play personality’.
The more that young children can act from their play nature, the better they will develop other parts of the brain that become pathways of many life skills. There is a strong connection between the practice of play and the emotional and cognitive development of the brain.
“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” O. Fred Donaldson
Dr. Stuart Brown is the founder of the National Institute for Play in California with
a background in medicine, psychiatry, and neurology. He learned about play after studying the lives of murderers and found a common thread in their life stories: lack of play in childhood.
A life devoid of play faces major health risks, such as depression, a decreased immune system, and stress-related diseases.
Brown says there is a strong connection between the practice of play and emotional and cognitive development of the brain. So, when we engage in play, which can include physical activity or sports, or a creative activity like painting or just laughing with your child, our physical and emotional well-being improves. Play is an indispensable part of being human!
Yet, our cultural heritage says play is trivial and we feel guilty if we take time from something else just to enjoy a seemingly mindless situation. It’s usually what we do when our responsibilities are taken care of, particularly as an adult. But if we study the trail of play in both animals and humans,
the beginning point of play in the mother-infant or parent-infant bonding process is kind of a spontaneous eruption of joy and pleasure: the process of being fed and having eye contact; a smile emerges, and the infant begins to coo. The cooing is worldwide and there’s mutual joy.
According to Brown: “When we see animals and humans who are deprived of play, they are usually
fixed and rigid in their responses to complex stimuli. They don’t have a repertoire of choices that are as broad as their intelligence should allow them to have. And they don’t seek out novelty and newness, which is part of an essential aspect of play, both in animals and humans.”
However, by the time children are in the classroom, they’ve been taught to suppress their natural play-based curiosity. Some schools reinforce this when they eliminate recess and the arts to make more time for academics.
Dr. Brown discovered that lack of play for children increases the possibility of some health issues, whereas play increase positive academic performances. He also found the more adults act from their play nature, the greater their well-being, health, adaptability, and resiliency to perform well in work and family.
Yes, play is exceptionally good for health, offering vital benefits for both children and adults. It acts as a mental reset that boosts creativity, reduces stress, and lowers anxiety by
releasing endorphins. Physically, it strengthens muscles and cardiovascular health, while emotionally fostering resilience, social skills, and joy.
It is well-documented that play effects mental health and its ability to reduce stress. It allows us to step outside of our daily pressures and responsibilities, where we can relax and recharge. Playful activities, especially involving laughter and physical activity, triggers the release of endorphins. These are the brain’s mood boosters which help reduce stress and increase feelings of happiness.
“We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves, or more deeply engrossed in anything than when we are playing.” Charles Schaefer
Loneliness is a growing mental health concern, especially in the age of digital communication and social media. Play offers an antidote to loneliness by
encouraging meaningful social interactions and building stronger relationships. Whether it’s playing board games, team sports, or participating in improvisational theatre, play brings people together in a shared, joyful experience.
Play allows individuals to connect on a deeper level through cooperation, shared goals, and emotional expression. In childhood, play is crucial in that children learn
to navigate social relationships and build friendships.
Play is what we want to do, as opposed to what we feel obliged to do. We choose not only to play, but how to play. It is an activity that is self-chosen and selfdirected; self-motivated; guided by mental rules; imaginative; and conducted in an active, alert, and non-stressed frame of mind.
Incorporating play into our lives can improve our mental wellbeing, strengthen relationships, and find joy in the present moment. Play is not just for children. It is a lifelong necessity for emotional, social, and psychological health.
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; We grow old because we stop playing.” George Bernard Shaw
References: http://www.scholarpedia.org/article/ Definitions_of_Play#:~:text=Play%20is%20 activity%20that%2C%20from,are%20 more%20valued%20than%20ends. https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/ practice-play-dr-stuart-brown https://www.healwithcfte.org/blog/playmental-health https://onbeing.org/programs/stuart-brownplay-spirit-and-character/
