Highlands Ranch, CO February 2023

Local Love E N TE R TA I N M E N T

SELI NA ALBRIGHT AT H O M E F O O D + B E V E R AG E

CHAM PAGN E & CH O CO L ATE A R T S + C U LT U R E

LET TER LOVE

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Give Me Some Local Love February, the month of love. Sure, Valentine's Day may be considered a made-up, greeting card holiday, but we're always up for showing love to the people in our life. Whether you plan a creative date night with your significant other, throw a cocktail gal-entines party for your girlfriends, or spend time with the kids hand-making Valentine's cards for Grandma and Grandpa, the month of love is a great time to bring some cheer in the middle of winter. It's also a great month to devote to showing some love to local businesses.

In our February Local Love Issue, you'll find ways to celebrate the big and small joys of life. Start with reading about R&B recording artist and South Metro Denver resident Selina Albright. You can find her sweet scat-punctuated lullabies to her baby Ella @selinaalbright on Insta, and read about how the small moments with her young family bring immense joy to the busy, often-traveling musician.

While we teeter between the chill of January and the excitement of spring, we hope you’ll be inspired to take a moment to come together with the people in your life. The ones in your home and on your street. In your neighborhood and your community.

“Love local” means your local businesses, those in your community - but it also means loving what is near. Those under your own roof included.

So grab a coffee at Festive Cup in Highlands Ranch and head home for a game night around the fire with the family. Or snag a bottle of wine from Lukas Liquors in Lone Tree and a beautiful nosh board from Ornery Olive Charcuterie Co. and indulge on a movie night in.

We’ve always believed what we can do together is so much more than what we can do apart. And we continue to see that demonstrated through the many stories told in these pages month after month.

Thanks for letting us be a part of the life you’re building, whatever that may look like.

Our hope is that we inspire you to love it just a bit more than you did before.

February 2023 PUBLISHER

Jennifer Starbuck | jennifer.starbuck@citylifestyle.com EDITOR

Sonja Nix | sonja.nix@citylifestyle.com PUBLICATION MANAGER

Elizabeth Watson | elizabeth.watson@citylifestyle.com CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

Elizabeth Watson, Dr. Kevin Schlegel, Angela Broockerd, Jennifer Starbuck, Sonja Nix CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S

Nikki Brooker, Kory Williams, Janie Jones

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier

Happy February!

J E N N I F E R S TA R B U C K , P U B L I S H E R @HIGHLANDSRANCHCITYLIFESTYLE

Scan QR code to visit our Instagram CIT YLIFEST YLE.COM/HIGHL ANDSR ANCH |

Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise Proverbs 3:5-6 Highlands Ranch City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Highlands Ranch area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.

Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Highlands Ranch City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources

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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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Colorado Academy Summer Camp Encourages Self Discovery!

Traditional and Specialty Day Camps Campers identify passions, nurture talents, build friendships, and increase skills, in both Traditional Camps and Specialty Camps.

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inside the issue The Local Love Issue

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F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

24 At Home with Selina

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Lifestyle Letter

R&B Artist Selina Albright and How She

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City Scene

Makes it All Work

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Happy Hour

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Back Stage

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Culinary Creations

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Expert Help

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Travel Journal

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Giving Back

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Events

30 The Taste of the Real Chocolate

Local Chocolatier Combines Cocoa Sourced from Brazil with Italian Inspiration to Produce Pure Luxury

FO O D + B EV ER AGE

ENT ERTA I NMENT FO O D + B EV ER AGE

WELLNES S T R AV EL

A RTS + C U LT U R E

36 Reconnecting After Covid

Re-engage Connections and Routines to Combat the Negative Effects of the Pandemic this Winter

46 The Lost Art of Letter Writing

Rediscover the Gift of a Handwritten Note

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O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Kory Williams Photography Kory Williams captures R&B Singer Selina Albright and her husband Joshua Mori at home.

YOUR COMFORT IS OUR PRIORITY

We Always Aim High For You! Aim High HVAC is dedicated to providing the best service for your existing equipment. We are also your heat pump experts installing Premium Lennox equipment. Call to schedule a free in home evaluation to upgrade to the latest heat pump technology, and take advantage of all the rebates and 0% interest.

(303) 618-5722 | AimHighHVAC.com

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city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

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The Northwest Douglas County Chamber of Commerce and EDC supports local businesses and members throughout the year by hosting and sponsoring events. The celebrations kick into high gear during the holidays. 1: Mixologist Tamera Porter entertained the NWDCC Ambassadors with a festive Christmas cocktail. 2-6: Realtor Jane Fish with Colorado Home Realty hosted a (not-so-ugly) Christmas sweater party at her Downtown Littleton office for all chamber members. 7: NWDCC Ambassadors Andy Markusfeld, Michelle Colaizzi, Jennifer Starbuck, Becky Holm, Tim Oddo, Krista Simonson, Stewart Gallagher and Kyle Chiasson supporting Highlands Ranch business Hops n Drops.

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C I T Y SC E N E

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Tag your Instagram photos with @HighlandsRanchCityLifestyle

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8-10: Sweetgreen restaurant celebrated its Highlands Ranch grand opening with a ribbon cutting and giving-back day. For every meal sold, sweetgreen donated a meal to the Backpack Society to nourish local students experiencing food insecurity. Pickletown Flower Co. provided a holiday ornament bar and a healthy happy hour with free Kombucha from Rowdy Mermaid.

Contemporary Fine Art “Art is a universal language that bridges cultures and forms human connections.”

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business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Douglas County Libraries Partners with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Douglas County Libraries is proud to announce its partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Through the Imagination Library, children ages birth to five receive a free, age-appropriate book to keep each month, sent straight to their home. Every child in a family is eligible to receive their own books when registered individually. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library helps DCL to fulfill its vision of elevating our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection. dcl.org/imagination-library

Savvy Giving By Design Denver's Valentine's Heart Savvy Giving By Design Denver creates healing home spaces for families with children facing medical crises. Designed by professional interior designers, the service and furnishings are provided at no cost to families. Recent fundraising efforts include casino nights, whiskey tastings, and "Fund A Needs," in which specific project needs, such as lamps or rugs, can be donated directly. February's fundraiser, Hearts for Max and Eden, supports their current project for two children with genetic heart conditions. Visit linktr.ee/ SGBDDenver or SGBDDenver.org.

Calling All Moms: Let's Be Real HRCL contributor Nikki Brooker launched her book, "Let's Be Real" at The Village Workspace on Jan. 4. The book shares wisdom and insights honestly and humorously from a mom who also happens to be an educator, studier of psychology and other ologies, as well as founder of YANAM2M, whose sole purpose is connecting with mamas. Readers hear from other mamas who share their journeys because let's face it, mamahood is hard; we need each other.

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B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

DESIGN. COLLABORATE. BUILD JOY.

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B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY C O N T I N U E D

NWDCC & EDC's Amy Sherman appointed to Colorado Chamber's Board At their Annual Meeting in October, the Colorado Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors appointed Amy Sherman to the Board of Directors. Amy will represent the chamber of commerce and economic development industry perspective for Colorado. “I am honored to serve on the Colorado Chamber Board of Directors for the second time in my career. It is more important than ever to fight for Colorado’s businesses to keep them growing and our economy healthy."

Local Highlands Ranch Game Maker Brings Food Fight Fun Home Highlands Ranch mom Chrissy Fagerholt of EAP Toys and Games specializes in fun family games that everyone will love to play. Her newest creation, The Lunch Room Game, is not your typical food fight. Players compete to beat the odds and its cast of characters, like the mean girls, to be the first to fill their lunch tray and win the game. With only five rules, this is an easy, quick game to learn for players of all ages.

Want to be featured?

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

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What does the Northwest Douglas County Chamber and EDC mean to our members?

“When you hold events you are creating opportunities for us members to connect with each other in a way that we wouldn’t have otherwise. You create the space and opportunities for us to collaborate, learn and grow.”

- Nikki Brooker owner Nikki Brooker Photography

The Northwest Douglas County Chamber & Economic Development Corporation connects businesses with resources and opportunities, helping our members succeed.

FREE DISCOVERY MEETING CALL: 720-588-9717 Our Services Financial Planning | Retirement Planning Investment Management | Insurance Planning Tax Planning | Business Valuation

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GET A SMILE THAT MAKES YOU FEEL

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Champagne T H R E E WAY S

Champagne. Brut. Prosecco. Cava. Sparkling Wine. Pick your poison with Le Grand Courtâge's 2023 Cocktail Contest recipe winners. Specific brand names are suggested, but use what you can find or ask an expert at your favorite local liquor store for substitutions.

Romancing the Stone I N G R E D IE N T S • 1 ounce Cognac (Francois Voyer VS or similar) • 1/2 ounce Giffard Abricot Rusillon • 1/4 ounce Honey Syrup (3:1) • 1/2 ounce Lemon Juice • 3 ounce Le Grand C ​ ourtâge Blanc de Blancs Brut

DIRECTIONS 1. Add first four ingredients to a shaker and shake thoroughly with ice.

2. Add bitters to the glass and top with brut.

3. Pour 3 ounces of Le Grand ​Courtâge Blanc de Blancs into a narrow Collins or rocks glass. Strain the shaker mix into the glass.

4. Fill with cracked or pebble ice and garnish with a dried apricot skewered with rosemary.

Honey Syrup: 3 parts honey, 1 part hot water Stir until combined Garnish: Rosemary sprig and dried apricot Recipe: Christopher Day

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H AP PY H OU R | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

ELEVATE YOUR VALENTINES DAY TOAST WITH A TWIST

A Little Peach & Quiet INGREDIENTS • • • •

1/2 ounce The Botanist Gin 1/2 ounce Grand Mariner 1 ounce Peach and Rosemary Shrub* 4 ounces Le Grand Courtâge Blanc de Blancs Brut

DIRECTIONS 1. To build the cocktail, add ice, gin, Grand Mariner, and shrub to a Boston shaker and shake.

2. Strain the liquid into a champagne coupe and top with Le Grand Courtâge Brut. *Peach Rosemary Shrub: 1 cup of apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1 sprig of rosemary, 1 cup of peach preserves Cook all of the ingredients in a saucepan on medium heat stirring often, until all of the ingredients are incorporated. Use a fine strainer to remove the hard particles and store in an airtight container Garnish: with a peach rose skewered with rosemary.

Recipe: Tara Gillum

Fig & Roses 75 INGREDIENTS • • • • • •

1 1/2 ounce Citadelle Gin de France 1/2 ounce L’Epicerie de Provence Fig Syrup 1/2 ounce L’Epicerie de Provence Rose Syrup 1/2 ounce Fresh Lemon juice 3 ounces Le Grand Courtâge Rose Brut 4 drops Scrappy New Orleans Bitters

DIRECTIONS 1. Combine gin, syrups, and lemon juice in a shaker with ice and shake for 10 seconds. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass.

2. Add bitters to the glass and top with brut.

Garnish: 2 slices fig, white rose, and edible gold flake Recipe: Robert Chavez

ARTICLE BY SONJA NIX

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Bubble of Peace INGREDIENTS • • • • • •

2 ounces Le Grand Courtâge Brut Rose 1 ounce Genever 1/2 ounce Concord Grape Shrub* 1/2 ounce Apricot Liqueur 1/4 ounce Sage-Elderflower syrup** 3/4 ounce Hibiscus Tea (room temperature or chilled) • A few dashes of rose water

DIRECTIONS 1. Combine all ingredients except the Brut Rose and garnish in a mixing glass.

2. Add ice and stir until chilled.

3. Strain into a champagne coupe.

4. Top with brut and garnish. *Concord Grape Shrub Muddle 1/2 cup of muddled Concord grapes, 1/2 cup of sugar Stir to combine. Let sit in a jar for at least 24 hours. Strain with a fine mesh cloth in a bowl and discard the grapes. Add 1/2 cup of white wine vinegar and stir to combine.

Transfer into a jar to store it in a fridge or use it in cocktails. **Sage-Elderflower syrup 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 2 sprigs sage, 2 tablespoons dried elderflower.

Bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Add 1 cup of sugar and stir until dissolved. On medium heat, add 2 springs of sage and 2 tablespoons dried elderflower and stir to combine for about 7-10 minutes. Strain the sage and elderflower and let the syrup cool down at room temperature. Transfer the syrup to a jar and store it in a fridge until ready for use.

Garnish: Dehydrated rose and sage leaf Recipe: Marie Yoshimizu

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H AP PY H OU R | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

Heart-felt inspiration Learn more about these inspirational courageous champions . . .

Courageous Faces Foundation is committed to dramatically improving the quality of life for those living with rare and severe medical conditions through direct, personalized and ongoing support so they can live their best life possible. We need your support to make this life-changing support possible.

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ARTICLE BY SONJA NIX | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KORY WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY Selina Albright with husband Joshua Mori + children Gavin & Ella

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At Home with Selina R&B/JAZZ MUSICIAN SELINA ALBRIGHT AND HOW SHE MAKES IT ALL WORK

R&B recording artist Selina Albright calls many places home, and South Metro Denver is one of them. She spent formative growing and professional years here.

Albright’s latest single “Dishonest Smile” is currently on the Smooth Jazz and R&B/ Soul charts. Her 2013 EP “Brighter” topped the UK Soul Chart for four weeks straight, and in 2020, she released two No. 1 hit singles “Discovering” and “Holding On.” Under her belt are a number of collaborative projects and vocal features across many genres. She has recorded with artists such as Andrae Crouch, Peter White, Dave Koz, as well as electronic dance music DJs Manufactured Superstars, Forcing Function, and Vinnie Maniscalco. She's also recorded with her dad, Grammy award-winning jazz saxophonist Gerald Albright, who lives close by in north Douglas County.

Also notable is her extensive international performance history, which includes multiple international solo tours. She has shared the stage with a long list of musicians including David Sanborn, Eric Darius, Steve Cole, Chaka Khan, Maysa, and The Temptations.

With her recent move back, she reflects on where she's been, where she is going and the love she carries with her along the way.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF. I’m R&B/Soul (and heavily Jazz influenced) Recording Artist Selina Albright.

Being raised in L.A. and exposed to the music business, I had a very unconventional childhood.

Imagine witnessing your father as a professional musician and being present at most of his shows, no matter how late they were.

Experiences like meeting powerhouse vocalists like Whitney Houston and Chaka Khan and seeing them off-stage in casual clothes and joining my father on tour, watching him from the side of the stage. At the end of one of his performances, as he walked off the stage waving to a standing ovation, wiping his drenched forehead with a towel, I realized that it was time for music to become more than just a pastime.

My musical education was the ultimate immersion program.

WHO ARE YOUR MUSES OR INSPIRATIONS? Before she passed away, a friend of my parents saw promise in me and gave me a selection of her favorite CDs, artists like Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holliday and Ella Fitzgerald. I didn’t know it then, but transcribing every inflection of their vocal choices for fun helped shape me into the artist I am today.

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YOU SING TO BABY ELLA ON INSTAGRAM. HOW DID THAT START, AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO SHARE ON INSTA? I sing to my kids throughout the day, but they’re always silly songs narrating what we’re doing, even bath time.

One night, Ella was extra interactive before bed, so I wanted to sing her to sleep, and it only made her more energetic. She even started to sing along! I knew that my followers would get a kick out of it, so I made it into a “Name That Tune” format and let them have fun guessing the song while witnessing some cuteness.

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WHO MAKES UP YOUR FAN BASE? ARE THEY FAMILIAR WITH THE SCAT STYLE YOU SING ON INSTA? My fan base is both male and female, about 35 years and up.

However, I’m finding that younger fans are starting to write about my music. I believe there is a new school of young listeners who are reaching back to the '40s for music that is fresh to them, and that excites me because good music is so timeless, and it’s designed to connect us all, no matter our stage in life.

YOU JUST RELOCATED (BACK) TO THE SOUTH METRO DENVER AREA. WHAT PROMPTED THAT MOVE? Denver was 100 percent a God move. My family and I were all set to relocate out of the country, which is still happening, but we got a strong message that we needed to make a pitstop in Denver first. Since we returned, we’ve welcomed baby Ella into our family, made some beautiful memories with our loved ones, and enjoyed Denver’s vibe. There’s something so sweet about waking up in the morning and raising your blinds to find that everything in sight has been dusted with powdered sugar snow or hearing a herd’s worth of deer hooves crunching through the snow.

What else do you want our readers to know?

I want you to know I appreciate the warm welcome back! You really know how to make my family feel welcome.

Thank you for being down for my cause!

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AS A MOM OF TWO AND A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN WHO TRAVELS, HOW DO YOU KEEP IT ALL TOGETHER AND CARE FOR YOURSELF? Honestly? I’m unsure how I’m doing it as smoothly as I am. But I had an epiphany long ago that I only get one body and one life, so I’d better be intentional about caring well for both. I protect my body with hydration and fresh, healthy food. I pray and let God guide my steps. I stay in touch with my body and mind through rest and meditation. I laugh often and am intentional about who I spend time with. Aside from this, it’s a lot of divine intervention.

I’m also a huge advocate for mental health.

Writing music used to be my outlet for processing tough emotions, but my high-volume life required more, and regular therapy has been the answer to living well. I highly recommend it to anyone who has it available to them.

Finally, I have a great husband who is aligned with me. We support one another’s passions.

We divide and conquer when it comes to our two kids and the beautiful, chaotic dance that graces our day. So when either of us needs dedicated work hours or to travel, we trust each other to hold down the fort. It’s a tremendous gift to truly do life together!

Connect with Selina on Insta @selinaalbright or selinaalbright.com

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The Taste of the

Real Chocolate Local Chocolatier Combines Cocoa Sourced from Brazil with Italian Inspiration to Produce Pure Luxury Cioccolatier owners Silvia Valentoni and Ronald Peach Jr.’s dedication to the art of making chocolate produces a display case filled with an array of beautiful, colorful, delicious creations. The Park Meadows Retail Resort location has been open since August 2022 and is a popular destination for chocolate lovers craving the high-quality, unique offerings created by Valentoni and Peach.

They ensure the quality of their chocolate by only sourcing cocoa from reputable farms in Brazil. For inspiration, they look to the traditions and culture shared with them by their families.

Valentoni and Peach are Brazilian. All of Valentoni's family is Italian, and Peach’s background includes two Italian grandmothers, one English grandfather, and one gaucho grandfather.

This is why you can find Brazilian specialties like Brigaderio and Honey Bread alongside traditional Italian creations like Antique Marzipan. Brigaderio is fudge that Peach describes as “a cloud of soft chocolate.”

One of the darkest chocolates Cioccolatier offers is a 73% cocoa bar sprinkled with cocoa nibs.

Peach says, “Fifty percent of the people that come here say to me, ‘But Ronald, I don’t like dark chocolate because it’s bitter.’

And I say, oh no, it’s not, and it shouldn’t be.”

He’s right. There is a pronounced cocoa-forward taste to the 73 percent bar. Even with actual cocoa nibs on the chocolate, there is no bitterness because of the quality of the ingredients and the touch of the master chocolatier. That’s why Cioccolatier’s motto is “the taste of the real chocolate.”

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C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

The fruit of the cocoa tree Unripe fruit is green and changes color as it ripens. A fermentation process cracks the cocoa seed skin, revealing the sought-after cocoa nib inside.

Cioccolatier’s cocoa is sourced from reputable farms in Brazil and shipped to their warehouse in Castle Rock, CO.

Cioccolatier co-owner Ronald Peach Jr. with sales associate Joanna Lujan.

Salted Caramel Cioccolatier’s bestseller The Salted Caramel is a chocolate shell filled with caramel. Cioccolatier’s owner, Ronald Peach, recommends holding the chocolate on your tongue for five seconds before eating. This warms the chocolate slightly for an even smoother combination of chocolate and caramel filling. Peach describes the importance of providing contrasts in the flavors of each chocolate. The Salted Caramel is the perfect example, with three layers of flavor that combine beautifully for the finished item.

Lemon Pie

Pistachio Praline

Cioccolatier’s second best seller. The Lemon Pie is a white chocolate shell with lemon ganache filling. White chocolate is created by mixing cocoa butter, sugar, and powdered milk.

The master chocolatier ensures that the lemon flavor is bright and very much the star of this chocolate. Each chocolate is hand-painted.

The pralines are made in a traditional manner, mixed in a melanger, a stone mill. It takes approximately 48 hours before the correct consistency for the praline is reached. Made by hand, each chocolate then receives a whole nut. A praline luxury assorted box contains a flavorful mix of Walnut, Almond, Pistachio, and Ciocollatella pralines.

CONTINUED >

ARTICLE BY ELIZABETH WATSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY NIKKI BROOKER FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/H I GH L AN D S R A N C H

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Honey Bread This is a traditional Brazilian dessert.

To create the Honey Bread, a Brazilian cake is made with honey and spices and is then enrobed with chocolate. A specialty item, the Honey Bread is in high demand and often sells out quickly.

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C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

Cherry & Champagne Ganache

Antique Marzipan

All ganache fillings are made with traditional Italian recipes and use only pure and natural ingredients. The 15-item assorted ganache box flavors are Cognac, Cachaça, Dulce de Leche, Orange, Lemon Pie, Mint, Italian Ganache, Pure 38% Milk, Hazelnut, Red Berries, Pepper, Toffee, Salted Caramel, Caffe Latte, and Colombian Coffee. In addition, seasonal and specialty flavors are created and rotated throughout the year.

Love is in the air, and it smells like chocolate. Beautiful heart-shaped chocolates handcrafted with a traditional and secret Italian recipe.

Marzipan is a combination of almond, sugar, and rose water. The marzipan must be fresh, and Cioccolatier makes theirs weekly to ensure the quality remains consistently high. The master chocolatier combines the marzipan with ganache, and then each piece is hand painted with gold edible paint.

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Reconnecting After Covid

Re-engage Connections and Routines to Combat the Negative Effects of the Pandemic This Winter ARTICLE BY KEVIN SCHLEGEL PSY.D. LPC

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EXP E RT H E LP | WEL L NESS

While the mask mandates may be behind us, we are finally starting to see the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic that may linger for years.

At the onset, I thought about the possible implications that masks, empty grocery store shelves, and families spending excess time together might yield. Some of my predictions came true; children now struggle with socialization, more people are stockpiling goods, and some have learned they genuinely dislike their families.

I knew depression and germ phobias would rise, but I failed to calculate how widespread they would be.

Humans are a species of pack animals. From the dawn of time, we huddled together for safety and divided responsibilities, which provided a crucial sense of connection.

We have grown increasingly fearful of interacting with others out of health concerns for ourselves and our loved ones. As a result, our worlds have become much smaller; our primary social efforts are with our immediate family members. We have become less charitable and feel exhausted by social interactions, to the point that there is less openness to others or new experiences.

Some have reported "forgetting" how to have conversations and report conversations do not seem to flow like they once did. The mundane task of going to the local store has become frustrating, as we now must leave the house and wear appropriate attire. Waiting in line creates frustration when we want to be back home.

Increasing numbers of people report they are struggling with ADHD-type of behaviors. These individuals reported no indicators of ADHD previously. Workers who now work from home

struggle to create a distinction between work and home. The rituals to get ready for work are gone, we walk into the next room to do work, and there is no commute back home to decompress from the work day. It is difficult to leave work behind as home has become the office.

Part of the way to counteract these effects is to stretch one's ability to be out in public. Being isolated results in our world shrinking with a lowered number of stressors.

Prior to the pandemic, our ability to take on multiple tasks was much higher and did not result in emotional exasperation. Re-engage in the activities that you found pleasurable before the pandemic. Get back to the gym, go to the movies and splurge on a bucket of popcorn. Part of our mental health deterioration has been not doing the things that bring joy to our days.

Try to get back to the schedule you had prior.

It provided routine and structure to daily life.

The mundane is predictable and provides comfort. Steve Jobs would wear black simply because it was easy and did not require much thought; he was on autopilot. Many of us are too, as working in pajamas requires no forethought. When we put care into our wardrobe and appearance, we feel better. We are ready for whatever comes along that day, be it a professional success or re-engaging with friends or society at large.

Kevin Schlegel, Psy.D. LPC, is the owner and practitioner of Oak Tree Behavioral Health. Dr. Schlegel employs a pragmatic, client-focused approach, using a variety of clinical interventions to target problematic behavior, cognitions, and emotional dysregulation in adults, and adolescents. oaktreebehavioral.com

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/H I GH L AN D S R A N C H

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Need a few updates to sell your home for its best price? My team can shoulder the details with design ideas, staging and access to our recommended partners so you are taken care of. We have interior design, professional painting, tile and flooring, along with remodeling resources. Sell quickly when your home is move in ready!

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All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal with out notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided.

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EXPERIENCE THE RANCHLANDS COLORADO RANCH MANAGEMENT COMPANY OFFERS GUEST STAYS FOR THE GREAT AMERICAN ADVENTURE

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T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TR AVE L

ARTICLE JENNIFER STARBUCK PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF RANCHLANDS

As ranch manager for Ranchlands, Kate Matheson wakes up every morning to a view of the majestic Sangre de Cristo peaks out one window and the Great Sand Dunes National Park out the other.

She considers herself one lucky woman.

The Zapata Ranch is owned by the Nature Conservancy and managed by Ranchlands, a conservationfocused ranch management company. Ranchlands offers guest stays at the Zapata, where Kate lives, and the Chico Basin Ranch, 30 minutes south of Colorado Springs.

Ranchlands Stays is a hospitality program that includes special weeklong workshops and clinics at both properties. No matter your interest, you’ll find CONTINUED >

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/H I GH L AN D S R A N C H

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something to suit: Horse Anatomy Boot Camps with acclaimed artist Jill Soukup; True West Horsemanship with Ben Longwell; Natural Fabric Dyeing with Edie Ure; and weekend Sandhill Crane Tours, just to name a few. There’s also photography, hiking, birding, and leather making.

And if you want to get your hands dirty and go on an old-school Western adventure, there’s a stay for that too.

“A stay here is an incredible insight into these big landscapes. You get to feel, ride, hike, smell, touch, experience these very, very special places,” Kate says. “I think that’s what people walk away with is the privilege of being able to have done that.”

At the Zapata, you can book a customized stay to include hunting, fishing, and horseback rides. You’ll find an International Dark Sky Park and glimpse the Ranchlands’ herd of wild bison.

“There’s also a really amazing ranch-totable food program,” Kate says.

Visitors stay in the ranch’s historic 17-bedroom Lodge, the original homestead built in the 1800s. Rooms include southwestern-styled furnishings, private bathrooms, and peaceful, breathtaking views in any season.

The Chico offers a more rustic experience, where you’ll find yourself part of the crew rounding up horses and working cattle, making your own breakfasts and sack lunches to eat on the trail, and joining the crew in their homes for dinner. Accommodations are in a newly renovated, historic structure dating to the early 20th century and featuring three-foot thick adobe walls in the May Camp division of the ranch. “It’s the more working ranch experience,” Kate says.

A stay at one of the Ranchlands properties is an outdoor educational experience unlike any other.

“It really ticks all the boxes,” Kate says. “It’s about trying new things with your family and all of you learning at the same time. It’s an incredible bonding experience.”

Kate says one of the first things most guests notice is the quiet and dark,

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T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TR AVE L

a reward for hyper-connected modern America. Zapata and Chico offer remarkable American landscapes — from the highest mountain peaks to the wide-open prairie plains — that are constantly evolving.

“It’s a living, breathing, moving, changing place," Kate says. “Whatever your interest, there’s some way for you to be involved.”

“The hospitality began as a necessity, as a revenue stream and a way to sustain yourself through drought,” Kate says. “But then it grew and developed into an incredible platform and mission to get more people involved.

It is really a way to promote those things that are important to us: Land management, the health of the land.”

Ranchlands continues to find ways to engage the public and keep their ranching heritage vibrant. “The Ranchlands community is wonderful.

They’re good people interested in the bigger picture of the ranch.”

What Kate hopes a ranch visitor gets from a Ranchlands camp experience? “To feel invigorated and use their body and mind. To be inspired.”

MORE ABOUT RANCHLANDS Ranchlands is a conservation-focused ranch management company that runs full-scale cattle on five ranches in three states.

Ranchlands offers guest stays and special week-long workshops at the Zapata Ranch, a 103,000-acre ranch owned by The Nature Conservancy in the San Luis Valley, and the Chico Basin Ranch, an 87,000-acre ranch southeast of Colorado Springs owned by the Colorado State Land Board.

Ranchlands also hosts thousands of school children each year on field trips, the Ranchlands Annual Art Show at the Nature Conservancy in Denver, and an annual summer concert on the Chico that draws about 450 people. The Ranchlands Mercantile offers made-on-site leather goods, hunting knives, art, home goods, and much more ranchlands.com

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/H I GH L AN D S R A N C H

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THE LOST ART OF LETTER WRITING Rediscover the Gift of a Handwritten Note ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKARD PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

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G IV IN G BAC K | A RTS + CULTURE

There is a lost art in letter writing that I wish to hold onto. In this speedy world where anything can be done lickity-click, a handwritten letter takes time and shows thoughtfulness.

Much like a fingerprint, a person's handwriting — as elegant or clumsy as it may be — is as much a piece of them as the color of their eyes or the sound of their voice. The handwriting of a loved one that has passed or the writing of a child that time has aged will forever be treasured because of who they are, not how beautiful the calligraphy.

Many stationery options are available online, but holding the paper in hand provides both a tactile experience and the best way to evaluate the quality. For something unique, monogrammed stationery offers a touch of personalization. Up-level and hand-embellish high quality stationery yourself with stamps, a custom embosser or even home paper dyeing. You can even create personalized cards to give as a gift.

The South Metro Area has multiple options to source your paper. Donahue Paper Emporium on Yosemite in Centennial and Paper Source at the Streets at Southglenn are just a couple.

I invite you to join me in handwriting a letter to someone you care for this month. It could be as short as a sentence, as practical as a favorite recipe, or as light-hearted as a joke. Whatever is written, write it in your own handwriting as a gift to be treasured by the person you give it to.

Since a handwritten letter is a gift, then the envelope should be treated like wrapping. Sealing a letter with a wax stamp is a beautiful way to turn a standard paper letter into the gift that it is.

SUPPLIES NEEDED: 1. Wax Sealing Stick 2. Sealing Stamp 3. Match or Lighter

HOW TO APPLY A WAX SEAL 1. Light the wick and hold the stick parallel to the work surface.

2. Let wax slowly drip into a coin sized circle onto the paper.

It’s tempting to angle the stick down to increase the speed of drips but avoid this as pieces of soot will fall into the wax and discolor it.

3. Blow out the flame and set the stick aside.

4. Press the sealing stamp onto the melted wax. Hold for a few seconds before lifting away. If it sticks, gently rock the seal back and forth to release. *Wax seals can be sent through the mail, but consider an additional outer envelope to protect it from potential damage.

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/H I GH L AN D S R A N C H

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Dr. Brooke Spencer Nearly one third of all women will experience chronic pelvic pain in their lifetime. Dr. Spencer is one of the most sought-after physicians in the country for pelvic pain and complex venous disease.

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 3

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

T HURS DAYS

JAMMIN' Trivia Thursdays

LAN DS DOW N E ARMS BISTR O & P UB Think you're smart? Like prizes? Come for epic food, drinks, and fun, not to mention prizes for the top three teams! Landsdowne Arms and JAMMIN'DJs present JAMMIN' Trivia every Thursday! Bring your friends and family to enjoy a high-energy night to play trivia and win prizes!

F EB RUA RY 1 ST

'New Year - New You' Meditation Class

H IG HLAN DS R AN CH LIBRARY In just 10 minutes a day, the amount of time it takes to make a coffee, feel the immediate benefits that meditation brings to mental and physical health, including an overall sense of well-being, stress relief, and improved immunity. This method is aimed at the general public and designed to harmonize with your daily life. Free to the public, but RSVP at meditationcolorado.org .

F E BRUA RY 3 RD & 4 T H

F E B R UA RY 1 6T H

Father Daughter Sweetheart Ball

H IG HLAN DS R AN CH MAN S ION Spend an evening full of fun, laughter, and dancing with your sweetheart at the Father and Daughter Sweetheart Ball. Included is a commemorative photo of you and your little lady along with refreshments. Carriage rides are available for an additional cost of $3 per person, weather permitting. To purchase tickets, visit HRCAonline.org.

Winter Cultural Series: Denver Pops Orchestra

CHER RY HILLS COMMUN ITY C H UR C H The HRCA presents The Denver Pops Orchestra, performing Symphonic Fantasies in the second installment of the Winter Cultural Series. This show encourages the audience to dream and imagine amazing new adventures through the music of John Williams, Stravinsky, and Dukas. The Pops is a non-profit, volunteer organization serving local communities for over 40 years. For tickets and information on the series, visit HRCAonline.org .

F EB RUA RY 1 9 T H

Doctor Noize

LON E TREE ARTS CEN TER LTAC presents singer and multi-instrumentalist Doctor Noize and his passion for interactive pop. This show dazzles and inspires audiences to be musicians and creators themselves, with a one-man band of instruments and electronic music looping technology. Passport to Culture is a program specifically designed for children and families to experience arts and culture outside the classroom.

F EB R UA RY 2 0 T H

First Family: An American Romance

SOUTHR IDG E R ECR EATION CENT E R The Highlands Ranch Historical Society presents First Family: The Lifelong Romance of Martha and George Washington. In 1759 when George Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis, neither could have predicted the next 38 years. This in-depth look at America’s First Couple during the tumultuous period in this nation’s history. A fitting way to celebrate both Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day.

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EVE N TS

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