Behind a private gate and on over 50 acres, this Golden Gate Canyon estate offers seclusion, natural beauty, and elevated Colorado living. Designed by renowned architect Sears Barrett and built in 2009, the home captures sweeping views of rolling meadows and snow capped peaks through floor-to-ceiling windows, blurring the line between indoors and out. Inside, an open-concept layout is filled with natural light, soaring ceilings, and refined finishes including rich mahogany hardwood floors with radiant heat and 8ft doors throughout. Outside, enjoy private trails, open skies perfect for stargazing, abundant wildlife, and total tranquility. Despite its seclusion, you’re just 20 minutes from Downtown Golden and 45 minutes from Denver, Boulder, and world class skiing. Plus, with rare back road access to I-70 via Idaho Springs, you can bypass ski traffic on Floyd Hill. This property is truly where luxury meets nature, and the mountains meet home.
Your Arvada Bakery Passport Awaits!
There are so many magical things that we all look forward to this time of year. The crisp air, the leaves changing colors, and the irresistible pull toward fall flavors and warm baked goods. October is one of our most delectable issues of the year, and this month we’re taking a tour around the world through some of our favorite bakeries.
Welcome to your Arvada Bakery Passport! For this issue, we had the privilege of sitting down with the owners of three beloved local bakeries: Aimee at Great Harvest, Sadie at La Patisserie Francaise, and Loren from Rheinlander Bakery to learn all about their fall menus. Think cozy, seasonal ingredients baked into pastries and treats we all crave this time of year. We’ve also included a delicious banana bread latte for you to try at home, perfect for these cool fall mornings.
As a foodie, The Food Issue is always my favorite and this one especially as I’ve never been known to say no to a pastry (especially a chocolate croissant) and appreciate the art of bread making myself as an amateur sourdough bread maker. There’s also something about meeting a friend or family member at a cozy local bakery or cafe to enjoy a special treat and catch up. That’s what all three of these places are about, a place where community is made, where traditions are celebrated, and where neighbors know to go for something incredibly delicious.
Consider this your “passport” to explore all three bakeries this season. Try something new and savor the flavors of fall! Here’s to our bakers, our community, and the flavors that make fall in Arvada so special.
Enjoy!
LYNN DAVIS, PUBLICATION DIRECTOR @ARVADALIFESTYLEMAGAZINE
Rachel Audette- The Turquoise Camera, Arvada Great Harvest
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle
Proverbs 3:5-6
inside the issue
1: Pure Dermal Care hosted a Glow and Gather event with Mary, owner of Minerologie. 2: The staff and their clients enjoyed a fun night full of self-care and refreshments. 3: Mini facials, skin care tips and makeovers made for the perfect girl’s night.
Photography by Pure Dermal Care
1: Sadie & Lynn, owners of La Patisserie, headed to Buena Vista for Bronco Super Celebration. 2: Broncos from around the world took on Mt. Anturo with a 4,000 ft elevation gain. 3: Herbie, their dog, enjoyed the mountain trip full of rocky trails and great views.
Photography by La Patisserie Francaise
The 100th Anniversary of the Arvada Harvest Festival was celebrated this September. 2: Celebrating 100 years, the theme of this year’s festival was “Celebrating a Century of Harvest”. 3: Arvada Rent-Alls, a staple in supporting the community of Arvada for over 60 years. 4:
is Home.
The RE/MAX Alliance team- always proud to help residents make a home here in Arvada. 6: Families, friends, and even the dogs enjoyed coming out to celebrate 100 years of community. 7: The staff at Intermountain Health decorated scarecrows to fit the harvest theme.
1:
Arvada
5:
Photography by Arvada Lifestyle
business monthly
Duke's Landscape Company + Backyard Sports Fields
Duke's Landscape Company can turn your backyard into your very own sports field. Soccer, lacrosse, or even a multi-use field. From start to finish, they can bring your family sports dreams to life and make it functional, enjoyable, and looking great all at the same time. To schedule a consultation, visit their website dukeslandscapecompany.com .
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IV Bundles Now at Hydrate IV Bar Westminster
Take your health into your own hands this season at Hydrate IV Bar with their new IV Bundles making it easy and affordable to make your health a priority. Whether you are traveling, recovering, needing an immune boost or keeping up with a busy, active lifestyle, stay strong and healthy as we move into the colder and holiday season. Call (720) 806-5473 for more information or visit them today.
Save Money & Go Green with The Bluegrass
Bring your own mug with you to The Bluegrass Coffee and Bourbon Lounge and save 10% off any coffee beverage of your choice. You can enjoy your favorite Bluegrass Coffee while also making a small positive impact on our environment. Visit their location in Olde Town Arvada and check out their fall menu.
Photography by The Bluegrass Coffee & Bourbon Lounge
Photography by Hydrate IV Bar
Photography by Duke’s Landscape Company
ARVADA Great Harvest BAKERY & CAFÉ
Arvada Great Harvest Bakery & Café’s secret to producing phenomenal breads, treats, and menu items for the café begins with using high quality ingredients and keeping all their products as simple and clean as possible.
“We use 100% whole grains for our wheat, sourced from the Golden Triangle in Montana with farmers who use high-quality organic practices,” says bakery co-owner Aimee Charlton. “We focus on good sourcing of ingredients and aim to use organic ingredients as much as possible, including Colorado honey and eggs from local farmers.”
Customers can purchase individual breads and goodies such as muffins, scones, and a variety of rice Krispie treats as well as enjoy dishes from the café menu. One of Aimee’s favorite creations on the café menu is the Epic Breakfast sandwich.
Serving handmade breads and café dishes using high quality, wholesome ingredients
ARTICLE BY MICHELLE PARNELL
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ARVADA GREAT HARVEST CONTINUED
Aimee Charlton and Micki Nelson, Owners of Great Harvest
“We call it the epic breakfast sandwich because we legitimately think it's the best breakfast sandwich you will ever have,” says Aimee. “We start with eggs on the grill, and you can top it with any of our fresh meats –such as salmon, sausage, bacon, or turkey - then add avocado and all sorts of goodies. We recommend serving it on our cheddar chive biscuit, which with our breakfast spread, makes the sandwich so good.”
A recent addition to the café menu includes Stacks, open-faced sandwiches that bring all the flavor in a smaller portion. “Our most popular is the avocado egg stack, which we recommend having on sourdough, but is really good on any of our breads,” she says. “We top it with our breakfast spread, fresh avocado, and an over-medium egg.” Another favorite is the Goat Cheese Caprese stack featuring goat cheese, tomatoes, spinach, red onions, and a balsamic glaze.
This fall, Arvada Great Harvest has a stunning line-up of seasonal offerings to compliment the delicious staples and treats already available daily. “We have a peach and cinnamon cream cheese swirl bread, and it makes the most indulgent French toast bread you've ever experienced,” shares Aimee. “It's a lovely fall flavor, but not the typical pumpkin.”
New Bananas Foster Bread Pudding bars are on the menu alongside fall favorite butterscotch bars, a gluten free option that is rich and indulgent, but not overly sweet. The most popular fall item, however, remains the bakery’s Pumpkin Spice Muffin. “I took what you would normally put in a pumpkin muffin and doubled the spices,” explains Aimee. “Then we drizzle a spice frosting over the top made of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, powdered sugar, and water that adds a little more kick to it.”
Follow the great smells to Arvada Great Harvest Bakery & Cafe, located at 7745 Wadsworth Boulevard, to sample the menu and choose your new favorite item. For menu updates and specials, follow @arvadagreatharvest on Facebook.
Join Great Harvest for the Trail of Treats on Saturday, October 25th from 9am-1pm.
• Scavenger Hunt
• Cookie Decorating
• Monster Marshmallow Station
• Dough Throw
• Pumpkin Ring Toss
• Make Your Own Trail Mix
Banana Bread in a Cup
ARTICLE BY LYNN DAVIS
Banana Bread Latte Banana Bread Syrup:
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 ripe banana, sliced
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• pinch of salt
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Simmer water, sugar, banana, spices, and salt for 10-15 minutes or until slightly thick.
2. Mash banana, remove from heat, stir in vanilla.
3. Strain and cool.
4. Stir 1-2 teaspoons in your hot coffee or an iced latte. Add your favorite creamer and top with cinnamon. Enjoy your banana bread in a cup! Store your syrup in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.
ARTICLE BY MEL BOBAN
How To Stay Festive And Healthy? Sure Thing
Halloween is typically filled to the brim with salt, sugar and carbs. It can be hard to stay on the nutrition wagon during spooky season, but there are plenty of fun ways to add a festive spin to favorite healthy dishes.
pumpkin FRUIT BOWL
With luck finding a melon or watermelon at the store, simply carve it like a jack-o-lantern and make the mouth large enough to have other sliced fruit emerging, such as cut pineapple, sliced grapes and apple chunks. Along the side, peel mini oranges and add a green stem to mimic pumpkins.
spooky CHARCUTERIE
These fan favorite boards can easily be kept healthy with some additions. Make any treat spooky with edible eyeballs. Adding them to a small snack such as mini bell peppers or grapes and strawberries is a fun way to stay on theme without sacrificing a healthy streak. Eyeball salami rolls also can be added, starting first with a green olive in the center, surrounded by a roll of mozzarella cheese and then surrounded by salami or even prosciutto.
stuffed PEPPERS
This fall staple easily can be incorporated into a fall gathering or Halloween night by carving jacko-lantern faces in orange peppers, and resuming a favorite recipe from there. Serving bread on the side? Use a skull or pumpkin shaped cookie cutter to re-shape it.
ghostly DIP
Hummus and pitas can be made scary in no time. Use a ghost shaped cookie cutter to shape pita bread, lightly toast and serve with red pepper hummus, which is usually orange in color.
jack-o-lantern VEGGIE TRAY
The easiest bet for a quick and healthy Halloween treat? You can’t go wrong with a veggie tray shaped like a jack-o-lantern. Use baby carrots as the base, and cucumber or celery to shape the mouth and stem. The eyes? Two round bowls of veggie dip.
FLAVORS of FALL
SadieRusso,Owner of La Patisserie
Francaise
ARTICLE BY VALERIE BIANCULLI PHOTOGRAPHY BY THE TURQUOISE CAMERA
Take a step inside La Patisserie and you’re instantly transported to a quiet street in Paris, where buttery croissants and elegant pastries line the glass cases and the warm scent of cinnamon fills the air. Owner and pastry chef Sadie Russo has made it her mission to give the community “a feeling of Paris, right here at home.” This season, her artistry shines in a menu designed to capture the coziness of fall. “We have an autumn spiced macaron and an autumn spiced individual cheesecake,” Russo explains. “The cheesecake has a spice flavor with white chocolate ganache, and the macaron has spice built into the cookies themselves with a spiced white chocolate ganache in the center.” For pumpkin lovers, she doesn’t hold back. “It’s pumpkin season,” she says with a smile. “We have a pumpkin chocolate chip bread, a pumpkin chocolate chip croissant, and a pumpkin spice cinnamon roll. Just something that makes you feel all warm inside… like a scarf that goes around your neck at this time of year.”
“THE CINNAMON ROLLS ARE BY FAR MY FAVORITE THING THAT WE HAVE here. I COULD EAT ONE ONCE A DAY, at least. BUT ONCE YOU ADD THE PUMPKIN CENTER TO IT, IT JUST AMPS UP THAT FALL FLAVOR.”
Everyone's favorite cinnamon roll from La Patisserie
Russo admits she has a soft spot for her cinnamon rolls. “They’re by far my favorite thing that we have here. I could eat one once a day, at least. But once you add the pumpkin center to it, it just amps up that fall flavor.”
While the fall menu celebrates seasonal comfort, the heart of La Patisserie remains rooted in tradition. “We have very traditional pastries like our Napoleon, with the flaky puff pastry, vanilla custard cream, and fondant top,” Russo notes. “Our swan pastry has a chocolate custard cream bottom and a whipped cream top, and our stacked cream puff with chocolate fondant and ganache accents is super traditional too. These are all things you’d see in a Paris bakery.”
But it’s not just the pastries that transport guests across the Atlantic—it’s the hospitality. “When you’re in Paris and you walk into a bakery, you’re immediately greeted by everybody behind the counter,” Russo says. “And as you leave, every single person says, ‘Thank you, come again.’ We like to do that here, too.”
For Russo, the bakery is as much about community as it is about croissants. “I love being part of the Arvada community, and the community has really stepped up for us. We just feel the love.” And with every bite, locals get more than dessert—they get a true slice of Paris.
Satisfyingly Sweet & Delicious
ARTICLE BY MICHELLE PARNELL
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RACHEL AUDETTETHE TURQUOISE CAMERA
WHAT MAKES RHEINLANDER BAKERY UNIQUE?
We've been around for almost 65 years, and we have a large array of European confections and pastries, some authentic like our baklava and others are Americanized versions. Most of the truly authentic items I learned how to make directly from the previous owners, and we see many of those during the holiday season.
We also do a lot of fundraising for local organizations. Each year, we raise money with our king cakes for the Red Cross. We also support the Jefferson Center for Mental Health and during child abuse prevention month, we do a fundraiser for Ralston House. Every September, we work with the Community Table on something we call Bake Out Hunger.
EXPLORING THE TRADITIONAL AND INNOVATIVE FLAVORS OF RHEINLANDER BAKERY WITH OWNER LOREN NAFTZ
“OUR STRUDELS ARE ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR ITEMS YEAR-ROUND, BUT WE INTRODUCE BETWEEN FIVE AND TEN NEW FLAVORS DURING STRUDEL FEST, WHICH RUNS SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER.”
WHEN DO YOU CELEBRATE OKTOBERFEST?
Oktoberfest is traditionally the end of September and the beginning of October, usually two weekends in a row, if you're talking about the true Oktoberfest that they celebrate in Germany. We, however, start on September 1st and let it run all of September and October. A lot of people, for obvious reasons, assume Oktoberfest is in October and are disappointed when they find out they already missed out on everything. So we like to carry it all the way through October so that everyone has a chance to enjoy it. Part of how we celebrate Oktoberfest is with Strudel Fest.
WHAT SPECIAL STRUDELS DO YOU OFFER FOR STRUDEL FEST?
Our strudels are one of our most popular items year-round, but we introduce between five and ten new flavors during Strudel Fest, which runs September and October. Because apple is the most popular strudel all the time, we do a couple variations of it including caramel apple, which people love. We also make a Drunken Bavarian Apple strudel by soaking granny smith apples in a dark stout beer we get from a local collaboration with the Denver Beer Company, then add raisins and almonds.
We have cherry marzipan strudel because cherry is also a very traditional flavor. It has an almond filling that we put down with the cherries inside of it and people love that one. Bienenstitch, which is known by the more colloquial term bee-sting, is a traditional German coffee cake that we make year-round. The strudel version is filled with vanilla custard, brushed with a honey almond glaze, and then topped with sliced almonds.
Rheinlander's famous strudels come in a variety of flavors
LorenNaftz, co-owner of Rheinlander Bakery
Loren Naftz
RHEINLANDER BAKERY
Loren Naftz first joined the family at Rheinlander Bakery in 2011, where she worked under the tutelage of previous owners, Maro and Ed Dimmer. From them, Loren learned how to recreate many of the authentic European and American inspired pastries and goodies served at the bakery today.
When the Dimmers retired in 2021, Loren and her husband, Luke, enthusiastically took on the responsibility and honor of carrying on the sixty-plus years of delicious legacy. They also continue the tradition of a family atmosphere, and patrons often see their kids around the bakery.
Over the last few years, the couple has also added their own creations to the menu, including items that are vegan, dairy-free, and sugar-free, to ensure that as many people as possible can indulge and enjoy a sweet treat.
Rheinlander Bakery, which is located at 5721 Olde Wadsworth Blvd in Olde Town, is open 7 days a week from 8:00am-6:00pm. For more information and to browse the menu, visit www. rheinlanderbakery.com, call 303-467-1810, and follow @rheinlanderbakery on social media.
WHAT OTHER SPECIAL ITEMS CAN CUSTOMERS FIND ON THE FALL MENU?
We add pumpkin cheesecake sweet rolls, pumpkin cupcakes, and we do pies for fall as well. We have classic pumpkin, pumpkin truffle, and pecan pies. We also have a pumpkin cheesecake pie that has the same filling as the sweet rolls. We offer our special Thanksgiving pies beginning in October so people can have a chance to try them before they order them in November.
One of our more Americanized offerings includes decorated cookies. We have them throughout the year, but I think our Halloween ones are the most fun because we have a lot of really cool designs for fall and Halloween-like skulls, jack-o'lanterns, little ghosts, and spiders.
WHAT EXCITING FLAVORS ARE ON THE HORIZON FOR THE HOLIDAYS?
Cherry cranberry orange is one of our more Thanksgiving flavors, and we save that for the very end of October because it is a nice transition into the Thanksgiving season.
We also make a lot of special Christmas items like stollen, yule logs, potica, and springerle. Our spingerle cookies are probably one of the most traditional things that we make that are very authentic. They're like little anise meringue cookies and you roll it with a special rolling pin that has impressions on it of different Bible scenes.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF HAVING THE BAKERY?
I've always really enjoyed baking and it's one of those things that when I was young, it was a dream career of something that would be really fun to do. After I started working here and everything fell into place to where my husband and I could buy the bakery, it was really cool to see it become a reality. It's fun and I love running a business with my husband.
IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIFIC YOU ENJOY ABOUT THE HOLIDAYS?
Going into the holidays, I feel energized by the super busy times. Even though it can be stressful and physically tiring, it's really exciting too because I love being an important part of people's holidays. When I'm making a strudel on December 23rd, and I'm just gassed because I've been working hard hours for days, I like to think how the thing I'm making right there is going to be like a part of someone's Christmas morning or their family celebration. It just feels really meaningful to be a part of people's traditions.
PUMPKIN PERFECTION
Put the carving tools down and check out how you can add some pizzazz to your pumpkins with just a paint brush.
ARTICLE BY NICOLETTE MARTIN
the CREEPY crawler
For this design, you’ll need several pumpkins or gourds in various shapes and sizes, some white and metallic acrylic paint, hot glue and some fake creepy crawlers.
Paint your “background” pumpkins in metallic colors. For your centerpiece, use white paint to cover the body, metallic paint for the stem and hot glue your creepy crawlers all around.
OCTOBER 2025
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
OCTOBER 3RD
Art Drop Arvada
Olde Town Arvada, Arvada, CO 80002 | 6:00 PM
Every first Friday, join the Art Drop Arvada in Olde Town starting around 6:00 PM. Local artists will be hiding their artwork in public spots throughout Olde Town and when you follow the clues and find a piece, it’s yours to keep. Follow @artdroparvada on Instagram for clues which go live at 6:00 PM. Happy Hunting.
OCTOBER 4TH & 5TH
Jackalope Art Fair
Olde Town Arvada Square, 5738 Olde Wadsworth Blvd. Arvada, CO 80002 | 10:00 AM
Shop from over 100 hand-selected artisans at the Jackalope Art Fair on October 4th and 5th. You can find everything from jewelry, home decor, art, paper goods, food trucks and more. This year, there will even be a Children’s Entrepreneurial Market where you can shop the next generation of makers, ages 5-17 years old. The festival goes from 10 AM - 5 PM each day. Learn more at www.jackalopeartfair.com/ visitdenver
OCTOBER 11TH
Family Friendly Splatter Paint Tent at Freedom Street Social
Freedom Street Social, 15177 Candelas Parkway, Arvada, CO 80007 | 5:00 PM
Freedom Street Social presents Splatter Paint Saturday, an all ages, hands-on art experience. For $33, each painter will receive 30 minutes in the splatter tent, an 11x14 canvas, full body coverings, washable paint colors, and a free drink or Italian ice to enjoy. Visit their website, freedomstreetsocial.com for more details.
Randy turned a magazine into community.
City Lifestyle isn’t just a publication — it’s a pulse. A rhythm of voices, neighbors, and stories woven together by someone who believes in the power of connection. As we expand, we’re looking for people ready to turn care into community. Are you ready to be that spark?
Arvada Lifestyle
Published by Randy Loved by Arvada
CONTINUED
OCTOBER 18TH
Rhythm and Brass: A Latin Jazz Fiesta
Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. Arvada, CO 80003 | 7:30 PM
Experience Latin Jazz at the Arvada Center with the CJRO big band. With the excitement of horns and energy of the percussion, you will get to enjoy different types of music fusing together that will have you dancing to the tunes all night long.
OCTOBER 24TH
Arvada Lifestyle’s Pumpkin Carving Event
Fade It Golf & Social Club, 14701 West 65th Way Suite 12 Arvada, CO 80004 | 6:00 PM
Presented by Arvada Lifestyle & Matrix Events, join us for Arvada Lifestyle’s Pumpkin Carving Event hosted by an expert pumpkin carver at Fade It Golf and Social Club. Want to have a watch party and carve at home, you can do that too. Visit our Facebook page for more information and to purchase tickets.
OCTOBER 25TH
Apex Foundation’s 5th Annual Trick or Trot 5K
Apex Center 13150 W 72nd Avenue Arvada, CO 80005 | 9:00 AM
Join the Apex Foundation for the 5th Annual Trick or Trot 5K. Dress in your Halloween gear where walkers and runners of all ages and abilities can join in on the celebration. Registered contestants will receive a swag bag and be entered for a chance to win a prize. Visit foundation.apexprd.org/ fundraisers/trick-or-trot-5k/ for more information.
