Arvada, CO December 2022

Holiday Lifestyle Letter

The holidays are here, and as the spirit of the season is with us, we often try to replicate what made this time of year feel so magical to us when we were younger. The traditions we set for our own families often mirror some of what we experienced as children—the sounds, the fragrances, the lights, the holiday activities, or a combination of it all. It's all about fond memories and making new ones with those you love.

I love seeing all the local businesses decorated for the season and the bustle of activity as people work through their list of gifts for those they love. It's a fun, warm, and inviting time of year.

We have so many incredible, local businesses with gifts for those dear to you. This season, consider reinvesting in our community, ensuring our local businesses will continue to thrive and grow.

This month, we wanted to highlight the magic of the season and what our city is doing to spread holiday cheer. We've included a gift guide for fun, outdoor equipment, shared stories of how local businesses are making a difference here and abroad, and compiled recommendations for your holiday gatherings.

While this season can be a wonderful time for many, it can also be a difficult time for others who have recently lost a loved one. In the true spirit of the holidays, let’s take care of those in our community who may need extra compassion or assistance. My hope for you this season is that you feel love and peace and that we all remember to take care of each other extending grace, empathy and love.

Happy Holidays!

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

1: Lots of great costumes were on display at the Trail of Treats. 2: Kids had a blast at the Arvada Great Harvest Bread Co. event. 3: The Trail of Treats was free for kids. 4: Activities at Great Harvest included cookie decorating, “make a monster,” a “dough throw,” and more. 5: The Arvada Great Harvest Co. Trail of Treats event was held on Saturday, Oct. 29. 6: The kids had a super time getting dirty and making yummy treats at Great Harvest. 7: It took kids about an hour to go through the entire “trail” of yummy activities.

Photography by Cody Sturma

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Outstanding Front-ofHouse Employee

The Colorado Restaurant Association recently recognized a wide range of restaurant and eatery employees. These accolades included the organization's "2022 Stars of the Industry Awards" recognizing employees in the hospitality industry who have demonstrated exceptional professionalism and contributed to the positive image of the food service industry in Colorado. Congratulations to Noah Fields who was honored as an outstanding Front-of-House Employee of the Year for his work at La Patisserie Francaise in Arvada.

Balefire Goods Celebrates 5 Years

Balefire Goods is celebrating its 5th anniversary. Jamie Hollier, the founder and owner of Balefire, curates the collection of work from other artists and organizes most of the art shows at the location. The pieces Balefire carries are crafted using ethically sourced materials and sustainable practices, and the artists Balefire carries create their pieces with time-honored, handcrafted techniques in their own studios. Visit their website at balefiregoods.com .

Light Lounge Arvada Ribbon Cutting

The Light Lounge Arvada held its official ribbon cutting on Monday, November 7 at 14715 West 64th Avenue. Light Lounge™ uses medical-grade and FDA-listed devices that have research-backed efficacy for a variety of clinical and non-clinical conditions. Benefits include reducing inflammation and stress. Check out their services at lightlounge.life/arvada ,

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Photography Sadie Russo

Photography Wed Mayhem

Photography Arvada Chamber of Commerce

Bottles and Bubbles

The holidays give us a chance to enjoy so many inviting dishes, both traditional and adventurous. From elegant to affordable, the right wines can greatly enhance your holiday get-togethers. We spoke with two local, Arvada wine experts to get some helpful tips in choosing bottles and bubbly.

Sam Nizam owns Five Parks Wine and Spirits on West 85th Drive in Arvada. The store carries upscale wines, but he emphasizes you don’t have to spend a lot of money. He loves the 90+ brand as a budget-friendly option. “For the holidays, pinot noir is the healthiest wine.” Sam says, “It has a lower sugar content, is lighter, and you can serve it with a wide range of foods.” Sam also recommends the Replica pinot noir. Another great option is a malbec from Argentina. “It’s a close cousin to the pinot noir.” He says you also can’t go wrong by bringing a prosecco to a party.

A semi-sweet riesling is lovely with turkey and lighter meals. Sam likes the Chateau Ste. Michelle riesling. It’s mid-priced at under $20.

Sam works with a lot of boutique vineyards. “These smaller operations are more hands-on and aware of all aspects of production and supplies,” and Sam says that leads to fascinating flavors.

HOLIDAY WINE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ARVADA EXPERTS

ARTICLE BY ALLISON BANKSTON PHOTOGRAPHY BY RACHEL AUDETTE, THE TURQUOISE CAMERA

Adnan Shafeeq

New Owner of Five Parks Wine and Spirits

A FEW OTHER TIPS FROM SAM:

• Don’t chill red wine unless you’re going to drink it soon.

• Keep an open bottle of red in a darker area to help preserve it longer.

• Check the dates. Most white wine is only good for 4-5 years.

Five Parks Wine and Spirits is changing hands, but Sam says the new owner is committed to the same values. Sam thanks the Arvada community and encourages people to shop locally this holiday season. “Every sale matters. This has been an amazing journey. Be happy for me, because in stepping away, I’ll be healthier…and my wife will be happy, too.”

—Sam Nizam

Lavonne Wise from Flights Wine Cafe on Grandville Avenue in Arvada has some wonderfully creative suggestions to make your get-together special. “It’s always nice to start off with something a little sparkling. That way you can have that with some appetizers or tapas.” LaLuca Prosecco Rosé is one of Lavonne’s favorites with its attractive bottle including shades of salmon and pink and a bright taste with hints of strawberries, cranberries, and hibiscus. “It’s a light, sparkling wine with nice bubbles.”

Pizzolato Italian Spumante Brut is bubbly and fun. “The bottle is gorgeous,” says Lavonne, “It will bring on lots of great comments. It’s not super sweet–just a hint of sweetness.”

Lavonne suggests a smooth red blend from South Africa called Escuda Rojo. "It’s not heavy like a cabernet sauvignon, but it has the same rich freshness as a heavier red.”

You might also consider a Masciarelli Montepulciano. Neither of those rich, red options are oaky. With heavier, holiday meals, Lavonne recommends staying away from the oak-infused notes.

For white wine, Torrontes is a crisp and refreshing treat and should be served very cold. A dry riesling is also a wonderful option. Lavonne suggests Dr. Loosen riesling.

More than anything else, Lavonne emphasizes that it’s okay to drink what you like. Maybe you prefer a heavier cab with your meal. Wine is meant to be savored, and if you enjoy it in a different way than others, that’s perfectly alright. As long as you feel you’re hitting the pallets of your guests, you’re making a great choice.

Some people feel you should only drink wines at exactly certain temperatures or only with particular foods. Lavonne says

“It’s good to step out of your comfort zone, expand your knowledge, and discover new flavors.” —Lavonne Wise

we need to let go of these misperceptions. At the end of the day, she says you should drink things you truly enjoy, and that’s the only hard and fast rule. Still, it’s good to be open to new things.

“We have a lot of interesting bottles, such as a sparkling malbec–things you wouldn’t often find.” Lavonne says Flights has wines from New Zealand, Africa, Greece, and more, so there’s always something new and exciting to try. “It’s good to step out of your comfort zone, expand your knowledge, and discover new flavors.”

If you often don’t finish a bottle, you may want to consider picking up a simple wine pump, available at Flights Wine Cafe and most wine stores. The pumps are generally under $15, and they pull oxygen out of the partially full wine bottles, extending the life of your remaining wine.

Flights Wine Cafe offers tastings not only as special events but anytime, and they feature out-of-the-ordinary

cocktails along with fun options like their Cowboy Flight with multiple, interesting bourbons. Flights also has a full menu with a variety of charcuterie boards and creative tapas such as bourbon-glazed meatballs and house-made pickled vegetables. The menu itself will have your mouth watering with items like a smoked salmon flatbread with ricotta impastata, red onion, capers, and a roasted garlic and lemon citrus aioli. All of the dishes served at Flights are made from scratch. “For a small place, we rock miracles out of our kitchen,” raves Lavonne. “We also have flights of desserts so you can try several things.”

Guests tend to stay quite a while during dinner at Flights. “At the end of your dining experience, we bring out something you can try that was not part of your meal.” A visit to Flights is certainly an adventure for your pallet and an opportunity to make amazing memories with friends and loved ones. For more information on Flights Wine Cafe or to make a reservation, visit flightswinecafe.com or call 303-697-0492.

GINGERBREAD COOKIES

A Vintage Holiday Recipe

ARTICLE BY ALLISON BANKSTON

Freshly baked gingerbread cookies are a classic holiday favorite. Here's a simple recipe for a fun project with the kids or great homemade gifts.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2/3 cup oil

• 1/4 cup molasses

• 1 cup dark brown sugar

• 2 eggs

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons ground ginger

• 1 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS

• Whisk the flour, spices, and baking soda. Set aside.

• Mix oil, molasses, and brown sugar. Add in eggs one at a time, and then slowly stir in the flour mixture.

• Place the dough onto a heavily floured surface and with floured hands work in more flour until the dough is no longer sticky.

• Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate 3 hours to overnight.

• Roll out dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut into shapes. Bake at 350˚ F for 8 minutes on ungreased cookie sheets until the cookies start to crack. Cool for 2 minutes before removing from the cookie sheet.

• Cool completely before decorating and enjoy!

A FUN GAME-BASED PARTY THEME

A White Elephant Party

ARTICLE BY ALLISON BANKSTON

The holidays are the perfect time to host a White Elephant Party! You might know it by a different name, because there are several, such as a Yankee Swap. These games can be a blast and a way to share inexpensive or humorous gifts with friends. You can play with as few as three or four people and up to around twenty-five. The more people involved, the longer the game will last. Here are some basic rules:

1. Everyone brings one wrapped gift, and all the gifts are placed in a central spot in the room.

2. Participants draw numbers to figure out the order of players with #1 being the most coveted number to pick.

3. Players sit where everyone can see, and the first player picks a package to open. Make sure everyone can see what’s inside.

4. Each player after #1 can keep what they opened or choose to swap gifts with anyone who has opened a gift before them. It can be very frustrating to have a low number with a good present, because you worry someone will take it away.

5. After all the players have opened a gift, player #1 may choose to swap their gift for anyone else’s, so everyone wants to be #1.

There are tons of variations to the game, and remember: your party equals your rules!  Here are some extra ideas or guidelines you can add to make your White Elephant Party unique:

1. A present can only be stolen once; or a present can only be stolen three times, and then the last person to have it after three swaps keeps it.

2. Everyone gets to go around a second time (great for a small group of 4-6 people).

3. All wrappings and/or gifts have to be homemade–nothing bought in a store.

4. All the presents have to be humorous in nature or gag gifts.

5. All gifts should be new and in a certain price range, such as $20-25.

6. All gifts have to be a certain color.

7. All gifts have to be something someone else gave you but you never used or you didn't like. This one can get tricky. Make sure you don't bring a gift someone at the party gave to you on an earlier occasion. That risk is half the fun with a group of close friends.

8. All gifts fall into a certain theme such as clothing, spa products, things you can eat or drink, etc.

What makes a great White Elephant Party? As long as you make it fun and fit your group of friends, you can’t go wrong. The only universal rules are to make sure the gifts are interesting and memorable and to have fun!

BOUNDLESS BODY & WELLNESS HELPS COMMUNITIES IN TANZANIA

O N E T R E E A T A

ARTICLE BY LILA RUPPE PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATALIE MORROW, GOOD MORROW PHOTOGRAPHY

In 2007, Colorado native Amber Stevens discovered a passion for fostering wellness holistically through massage therapy. Her practice, Boundless Body & Wellness, continues this passion by supporting the greater Arvada community with preventative health services. In the spirit of interconnectivity, Boundless Body & Wellness branches out to care for the planet and communities abroad by partnering with ForestNation to plant trees in Tanzania.

The environmental organization matched up perfectly with Boundless Body & Wellness’ values and mission. “It felt not only in alignment with my own love of nature, but also makes sense if we're focused on calming the nervous system connecting people to their breath and their bodies,” Amber says. “What better way to talk about breathing than trees that put oxygen into our air, right?”

Forest Nation is a for-profit sustainable organization aiming to help humanity thrive through positive environmental, social, and commercial goals. Director of Operations Andrew Frankland says, “It’s about empowering communities." Eighteen million acres of forest land are lost every year impacting how communities are able to economically sustain themselves.

Teams from ForestNation started planting trees in Tanzania in 2015, and the fundraising efforts, such as the one done by Boundless Body & Wellness, allow the agency to continue the work. Tanzania is a fascinating country often referred to as “the cradle of civilization.” It’s the largest country in East Africa where the oldest human skull was found and is home to giraffes, zebras, and crocodiles, as well as the largest remaining population of elephants.

ForestNation uses the fundraising efforts through places like Boundless Body & Wellness to grow the seedlings. The trees are planted, and then a local committee meets to develop long-term maintenance plans. For five years after planting, a team monitors the growth of the trees. Once they mature, the trees produce ongoing, income-generating harvests for the communities. Planting and harvesting also helps close an inequality gap by providing employment to hundreds of women in Tanzania.

There’s a positive impact on local schools, as well. Young people are encouraged to visit the nurseries to learn about botany and horticulture. The additional food helps feed nearby families. The harvest leads to fruit and food but also medicines and oil, timber for the wood industry, and enhanced tourism.

Andrew explains that deforestation has had a drastic effect on communities. “People move from the rural areas because

they can feed themselves easier in the cities, but that doesn’t really work.” He says they’re often unable to find employment. “To alleviate this, we are bringing the forests back to the people. We are planting about 70% fruit trees and 30% hardwood. The impacts are social, of course, improving food security but also self esteem. And then there’s the longer-term impact in which the fruit can be harvested and sold each season.”

ForestNation has tree kits you can purchase online individually or on a larger scale for a company environmental campaign. For each tree kit purchased and shared with others, they plant trees overseas.

The best times to plant are between October and December or March to June. The teams and local community work diligently to protect the forest from fires and trim the trees after heavy rainfalls.

Through ForestNation, Boundless Body & Wellness has planted more than 1,000 trees in Tanzania. Their trees create approximately 100 tons of oxygen yearly. “I love feeling like our business is connected to the larger world as a whole, and that the little things that we do here to take care of ourselves make a huge

impact in the world,” Amber says. For every treatment given, a tree is planted. The services at the Arvada business range from massage therapy and health coaching to acupuncture and energy therapy. Arvada voted Boundless Body & Wellness as Colorado Community Media’s Best of the Best for massage company and wellness center in 2022. Come in for an integrated massage, and enjoy both the soothing treatment and knowing that you are helping the planet.

If you do not have the time for a full treatment, consider stopping by for a community class. December offers both a meditation session led by Amber and a stress-free yoga class.

If you would like to forward the Boundless and ForestNation missions, come check out Boundless Body & Wellness in Arvada. Donation opportunities are announced on social media and through the Boundless newsletter, which you can sign up for at youareboundless.com .

You can also follow the practice at @AmberStevens.Boundless on Instagram and @Amber.Stevens.You.Are.Boundless on Facebook.

Photos from Tanzania provided by ForestNation.

For the Love of Toys

ARTICLE BY ALLISON BANKSTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY RACHEL AUDETTE, THE TURQUOISE CAMERA

The name, itself, makes people want to peek inside. Super Zoom Bang Bang opened in 2017, and owner Scott Spears says the business has grown steadily. Scott says overall, shopping seems to be going in the direction of the farmers’ markets, with the Arvada community caring about local businesses and helping them thrive.

Scott and his wife, Lisa, own five area businesses each with a pinpointed focus. Their first business was

Scrumptious–a specialty ice cream and candy shop in Arvada. “The neighborhoods around there had lots of kids,” he says, “We wanted to expand and make it an entertainment area for all ages.” They now have a second Scrumptious location in Longmont.

Then came School House Kitchen and Libations with an emphasis on whiskies and delicious house-made dishes. “Sock.” is simply, wonderfully a sock store, with more than a thousand square feet of socks. “Our second

Super Zoom Bang Bang in Arvada

year, people were so into it they were going through our inventory boxes before we could even get things on the shelves.”

So RADish is a vegan restaurant where most dishes can be served gluten-free. It includes a bar and has an arcade in the back called Secret Level. Finally, Super Zoom Bang Bang is an old-school toy store with a modern feel, inspired by Scott’s childhood. The name is a nod to the owners’ two sons. “I remember it was really special to go to a toy store, and our store brings back great feelings of being a kid and being so excited to see everything.”

The store sells unique LEGO® sets you won’t find in big box locations. Scott says their 3D puzzles and games are popular, and adults love them, too. Super Zoom Bang Bang is open seven days a week 11 AM to 8 PM Sunday through Thursday. “We stay open till 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, so we get an adult, evening crowd often buying things for themselves. It tends to be busy after happy hour and around dinnertime.”

Olde Town is constantly growing, and Scott says it's crucial the community continues to support local stores. “I was born in Arvada, and I want to keep investing in Arvada.”  All five of their businesses are part of a broad family approach involving Scott and Lisa as well as Scott’s parents who assist with everything from the books to working the counters some days.

Supply issues are still a challenge. “Almost every business is feeling it. Our suppliers just don’t always have the inventory.” Scott recommends local shoppers

buy what they want when they see it, because a week from now inventory may be different.

Lisa and Scott set out to change things in Arvada and improve them, one store at a time. Scott says he opens businesses featuring the things he loves, and the community loves all the concepts, too. “It’s all about bringing people together and creating a feeling of joy.”

This season, bring out your inner child and experience Super Zoom Bang Bang at 7505 Unit A on Grandville Avenue in Arvada, as well as Scott and Lisa’s other cool businesses. One thing is for sure: you will have a wonderful time!

“It’s all about bringing people together and creating a feeling of joy.”

—Scott Spears

The City Lifestyle Giving Campaign

Now in its third year, the City Lifestyle Giving Campaign will give away $300,000 this holiday season to help individual community members who would benefit from a helping hand during their time of need. But they need YOUR HELP to make it happen! Maybe you know of a single parent struggling to provide, an elderly person who has experienced loss, a child enduring a health issue, a co-worker suffering a sudden, unexpected tragedy or a neighbor with a financial hardship who has fallen between the cracks of getting assistance. Chances are you know someone with a specific need—even if nobody else does.

To preserve and protect the dignity of every recipient, the City Lifestyle Giving Campaign is completely confidential. No identities will be revealed or publicized in ANY way. (Even those who nominate others may remain anonymous if they choose.)

Last year, City Lifestyle was able to give to more than 70 recipients all over the country by sending checks in the mail through New Year’s Eve. (This year, the goal is to double that number with checks ranging in amounts up to $3,000 each.) With nominations flooding in from community members and leaders such as judges, police officers, teachers, nurses, social workers, mentors and readers like you, we were able to reach people who might otherwise go unnoticed.

“We believe in giving back and serving the communities where we live in a real and tangible way,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “This Giving Campaign is all about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them this holiday season.”

Together with Matthew Perry, Chief Sales Officer, Steven adds that the outpouring and gratitude from the recipients was overwhelming and affirmed that this is a tradition they want to continue.

“We believe God has blessed our company with continued success,” Matthew adds, “so we in turn want to be a blessing to others.”

City Lifestyle has also enacted an internal giving program whereby every employee in the company receives $100 to give away to someone in the community. “The idea is to encourage our employees to keep doing it on their own,” Steven says. “Taking care of one another and blessing others is so rewarding that it perpetuates a cycle of giving. It’s extremely important to me as a person and as a company to foster that culture of generosity.”

“This Giving Campaign is all about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them this holiday season.”

Where has the campaign gifted?

To submit a nomination, follow @citylifestyle on Instagram and fill out the form found in the bio link. All entries will be read, and because this is not a raffle, there is no need to nominate someone more than once. The amount given to each recipient will be based on need.

NEIGHBORHOOD

Alkire Acres

realty report

A sample of recently sold properties in Arvada.

ORIGINAL PRICE SOLD PRICE

%SOLD/ORIG DOM BDRMS BATHS

$1,500,000 $1,450,000 97% 47 6 5

Summertree Lane $1,300,000 $1,350,000 104% 6 4 4

Spring Mesa $1,400,000 $1,290,000 92% 46 5 5 Leyden Rock $1,125,000 $1,125,000 100% 1 5 4 Leyden Rock $1,200,000 $1,110,373 93% 21 4 4

West Woods Ranch $998,500 $1,000,000 100% 5 3 3

Candelas $1,075,000 $990,000 92% 16 6 6

Hillside Estates $950,000 $975,000 103% 3 5 4

Leyden Rock $950,000 $915,000 96% 55 4 4

Skyline Estates $849,900 $875,000 103% 3 5 3

Lakeshore Estates $985,000 $875,000 89% 52 6 3 Skyline Estates $875,000 $875,000 100% 4 5 4

Skyline Estates $850,000 $875,000 103% 3 4 3

West Woods Ranch $860,000 $870,000 101% 3 4 3

Candelas $950,000 $860,980 91% 22 4 4

Enclave at Maple Ridge $899,900 $860,000 96% 25 5 4

Leyden Rock $860,000 $860,000 100% 4 4 3

Huntington Heights $950,000 $855,000 90% 50 5 4

West Woods $850,000 $850,000 100% 6 4 4 Leyden Rock $849,699 $849,699 100% 9 5 3

Information obtained through RE Colorado Multiple Listing Service. List and sold price reflect one selected home within the respective subdivision.

Outdoor Adventure Gift Guide

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS FOR OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS

Colorado is an outdoor-lover’s paradise, and some of our favorite adventure activities take place in the colder months. Here are a few great ideas for gifts for the outdoor enthusiasts in your life to help keep them safe and warm, make their activities more enjoyable, and kick up the fun!

3. 6.

A

ARTICLE BY ALLISON BANKSTON

MSR Evo Trail Snowshoes are a great gift idea for beginners or those serious about the sport. Find them at REI for $109.

Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles are a sturdy, carbon fiber set of hiking sticks that quickly adjust. At $55 on Amazon they’re great for beginners and an affordable option.

Merino wool cushioned boot socks are a must-have for cold-weather hikers. The Darn Tough brand has a lifetime guarantee. Buy them through Amazon for $27.

set of Grivel G10 New-Matic EVO Crampons is a super gift for serious winter hikers and climbers. Wilderness Exchange has them for $160

Leatherman Wingman Multi-tool with spring-action pliers and scissors. This stainless steel tool with a nylon sheath is available on Amazon for $70.

2. 5.

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

DECEMBER 1ST

46th Annual Holiday Pottery Sale

UPPER GALLARY, ARVADA CENTER | 5:00 PM

Instructors and students of the center’s ceramics education studio offer an extensive selection of functional and sculptural pottery, with all purchases supporting the artists and the Arvada Center. The event runs December 1-11: Monday-Saturday 10 AM-8 PM and Sundays 1-5 PM in the upper gallery. An opening reception is scheduled for December 1 from 5-9 PM. Visit arvadacenter.org for more information.

DECEMBER 7TH

Disney's Beauty and the Beast

ARVADA CENTER FOR THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES | 7:30 PM

A tale as old as time!  Disney’s Beauty and the Beast brings together talking teapots, dancing candlesticks, and beloved original songs from the movie classic for an enchanting night the whole family will enjoy. The show runs through December 31. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit arvadacenter.org .

DECEMBER 10TH

Saturdays with Santa

OLDE TOWN ARVADA | 12:00 PM

Here is your FREE opportunity to see the big man in red! Santa will be in the Olde Town Arvada Square 12-3 PM on December 3th, 10th and 17th. And don't miss the Olde Town Holiday Market 11 AM to 3 PM. The Holiday Market will feature vendors with handmade gifts and great local food! Visit oldetownarvada.org for more information.

DECEMBER 11TH

Blood Drive at the Arvada Elks Lodge #2278

5700 YUKON STREET IN ARVADA | 1:30 PM

Give the gift of life. To schedule your appointment, go to vitalant.org and use site code #5430 or call Vitalant at 303-363-2300. Donors are encouraged to complete their health history questionnaire online on the day of their donation before coming to the blood drive.

DECEMBER 17TH

A Christmas Story

MINER'S ALLEY PLAYHOUSE IN GOLDEN | 7:30 PM

All the elements from the beloved motion picture are in this show, including the family’s exploding furnace, Ralphie’s father winning a lamp shaped like a woman’s leg in a net stocking, Ralphie’s fantasy scenarios and more. A Christmas Story is destined to become a theatrical holiday perennial. The shows run through December 23. For tickets, visit minersalley.com

DECEMBER 17TH

Esports Tournament

SEACREST RECREATION CENTER IN ARVADA | 12:00 PM

Feeling competitive? Join Apex's esports league. Esports is fun, organized video gaming where skills, teamwork, and professionalism are celebrated. The Apex Center is hosting a 1-day esports tournament each month at the Secrest Recreation Center. Learn important leadership and communication skills. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Visit apexprd.org for more information.

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Arvada