Northern Colorado Life - December 2022

HAPPYHOLIDAYS

Moveoverpumpkinspice—it’stimefor sugarcookiesandpeppermint,timeto deckthehallsandlightthecozyfiresin theholidayhearth.Theholidayseason isofficiallyuponus.

Holidayperformancesandeventsare backinfullforce,whichiswelcome news.Returntoanoldfavoriteortry somethingnew.Ifyouhappentoover scheduleyourself,however,wehavea fewideastohelpyourelaxandrefresh.

Theholidayseasonhasawayofturning ourthoughtstowardgiving.Localretail ershavesomegreatshoppingideas foreveryoneonyourlistandifyou findyourselfinajamorallthatholiday activityhasyoujustwantingtoleavethe cookingtosomeoneelseforachange, wehavesomeideasforthattoo.

Whileyou’redoingallthatshopping, youmaywanttorememberthosein need.ColoradoGivesDayiscomingup, butyoucanalsochoosetohelplocal familieshaveabetterholiday.

We’resurethatwhereveryougoand whateveryoudo,yourholidayswillbe wonderfullywellspent.

Wishingyouandyoursthehappiestthis season, —MistyKaiser

ENTERTAINMENT

Holidayeventsbrighten NorthernColorado PAGE6 INFLUENCER

KellyMcBartlettmakeshis markonnorthernColorado ‘forgood’ PAGE12

MAKINGADIFFERENCE

HolidayHelpersdeliver toys,holidaymealstoarea children PAGE14 Generositygenerates happiness;ColoradoGives DaysetforDec.6

PAGE18 Inapositiontogivesome Magicthisseason? PAGE20 HEREINNOCO Bobo’sinLoveland PAGE22

MIND+BODY 5Waystobegoodto yourselfovertheholidays PAGE24 HOLIDAY GIFTGUIDE PAGE29 FOOD Holidaydinnerout? Wheretogowhenyouneed togoout. PAGE40 ASKTHEEXPERT Investinginasolidfuturefor theholidays PAGE44 HOME Top5tipsforahappy hostingexperience thisholidayseason PAGE46 CALENDAROFEVENTS PAGE 48

MARKETINGAND

PUBLICATIONSEDITOR

MistyKaiser kaiserm@reporterherald.com,303.473.1425

CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS

DarianArmer,SarahHuber,ShelleyWidhalm,EmmaCastleberry, LindaThorsenBond,JohnTeehan,AdamGoldstein

ADVERTISINGDIRECTORS

ChristineLabozan,LovelandReporter-Herald clabozan@prairiemountainmedia.com,970.635.3614

NORTHERNCOLORADOLIFE

APublicationoftheLovelandReporterHerald andGreeleyTribune

NorthernColoradoLifeispublishedsixtimesayear.Over 49,000copiesareinsertedintothenewspaperandareavailable atkeylocationsandbusinessesthroughoutthearea.

Noportionofthismagazinemaybereproducedwithoutwritten permissionfromthepublisher.

EDITORIAL&EVENTS: Tosubmitastoryidea,call 303.473.1425ormkaiser@prairiemountainmedia.com

ByDARIANARMER forNorthernColoradoLife

AsweentertheChristmas seasonthere’snobetterway tostartgettingintheholiday spiritthanwithsomelocalholiday events.We’veroundedupsomelocal eventsthatarefunforthewholefamily. So,markyourcalendarsandprepare forsomemerriment. WinterWonderlights Now–Jan.1,2023 ChapunguSculpturePark–PromenadeShopsatCenterra 5995SkyPondDr.,Loveland visitlovelandco.org/winterwonderlights/ EachnightofthisholidayseasonyoucanexperienceWinterWonderlightsatChapunguSculpturePark.Visitorscan walkthroughthebeautifulparkandenjoy150,000lightsincludingholidaystringlights,twinklingbulbs,LEDmappable snowflakes,illuminatedAfricanstonesculpturesand30-minutemusicandlightshowseverynight.

WinterWonderlightsLivenightsofferupliveentertainmentunderthe inflatableigloo.(CourtesyCityofLoveland)

Thistwinklingdrive-throughlightdisplaybenefitsColorado YouthOutdoors,(CourtesyColoradoYouthOutdoors)

Thelightandmusicshowfeatureseighttotalsongsand movinglightsonthe23foottallLEDmappableChrist masTree.Specialprogramming,theinflatableigloo stageandlocalvendorswillbeonsiteduringWinter WonderlightsLivenights,offeredduringselectweek ends.(Datesavailableonwebsite.)

WinterWonderlightsisfreeandopentothepublic.Visi torsareencouragedtobringanddonatecannedfoodto benefittheFoodBankforLarimerCounty.Thegoalisto collectaTONoffood.Liveeventswillfeaturefamilyfun likevisitsfromprincesses,livereindeer,liveicesculpt ingandmore.

ColoradoYouthOutdoors–NoCoWinterWonderland Now-Dec.25,5:15-8:15p.m. 4927CountyRd.36,FortCollins nocowinterwonderland.com

WinterWonderlandwasbornin2020tocreateafestive holidayexperienceduring COVID lockdown.Nowinits thirdyear,theeventisanopportunitytogetintotheholi dayspiritwhilespendingtimewithfriendsandfamily, allwhilesupportingColoradoYouthOutdoors,a501(c)3 non-profitbuildingrelationshipsthroughtraditional outdoorrecreation.

ColoradoYouthOutdoors’festiveholidayexperience willshowcaseSanta,Mrs.Clausandthosetrouble someelves.Thedrive-thruholidaylightdisplayisone milelongandtakesapproximately15minutestodrive through.

“Thewildlife-themedlightsculpturesaresuretoenthrall allvisitorstoWinterWonderland!Somanytwinkling lights!WhereelsecanyouseeSantaflyfish?”

2022FestivalofTrees

Now–December3,Hoursvary–checkwebsitefor details

UnionColonyCivicCenter,70110thAve.,Greeley greeleygov.com/activities/fot

OneofGreeley’sfavoriteholidaytraditions,theannual FestivalofTreesbeginstheFridayafterThanksgiving andlaststhroughthefollowingSaturday.It’s“ninedays offestive,family-friendly,frolickingfun!”

Filledwithbeautiful,uniqueandbrightlyilluminated treesdecoratedbycommunitymembers,businesses andorganization,theFestivalofTreesstrivestoinspire collaborationamongthethree.Thescheduleincludes publichoursfortouringthetrees,visitsfromSantaand

GreeleyFestivalofTreesisalwaysafavoriteofthe season.(GreeleyFestivalofTrees)

Mrs.Claus,asilentauction,musicalentertainment, horseandcarriageridesandmore.

SpecialeventsincludeaWhovilleHolidaythemed aroundDr.Seuss’s HowtheGrinchStoleChristmas, WhiskeyWonderlandandOtherSpiritsoftheSeason andWaterColorandWine.

Theeventsstatementonthewebsitestates,“Wehope tostrengthenGreeley’sfoundationwithholidayspirit, kindness,philanthropyandjoy.” WindsorWonderland December3,4-8:30p.m. 5thSt.andBoardwalkPark,Windsor recreationliveshere.com/227/Windsor-Wonderland

Sampleabitofeverythingtheseasonhastoofferat WindsorWonderland.Thedaykicksoffat4p.m.when SantaarrivesbytheGreatWesternRailwayTrain. HolidaycarolingbytheWindsorMiddleSchool7th and 8th gradersbeforeandaftertheAnnualTreeLighting CeremonyandHolidayProclamationfromtheMayor.

GreeleyPhilharmonicOrchestracollaborateswithareachoirsfortheir annualholidayconcert,PoinsettiaPops.(CourtesyGreeleyPhilharmonic Orchestra

ThefamilyfuncontinueswithanIceSculptorDemoby theWindsorArtsCommission.Enjoyacomplimentary photowithSanta,complimentaryhorseandcarriage rides,complimentaryS’moresandhotchocolate,food trucksandyardgamesandactivitiessuchasinflatables, theClearviewLibraryBookmobileandtheWindsor ExpressTrain.ThedayroundsoutwithWindsorDance performancesundertheMarketPavilion.

GreeleyPhilharmonicOrchestra PresentsPoinsettiaPops

December3,7-9p.m.

UnionColonyCivicCenter,MonfortConcertHall 70110thAve.,Greeley greeleyphil.org

TheGreeleyPhilharmonicOrchestrainvitesyouto createholidaytraditionstolastalifetimewithitsannual spectacle,PoinsettiaPops.Theeventtakesplaceinthe poinsettiaadornedconcerthallwheretheGreeleyCho raleandGreeleyChildren’sChoralewillperform.

Withthepurchasepriceofadmission,youwillbeableto walkamongstthe“tree-mendously”decoratedtreeson thefinalnightofGreeley’sFestivalofTrees.

ChristmasWalkintheWoodsletsguestwalkat

WindsorChamberChorale–ChristmasConcert

December4,4p.m. BethelLutheranChurch,328WalnutSt.,Windsor windsorchamberchorale.com

TheWindsorChamberChoralewillperformitsannual ChristmasConcertDec.4.Admissionisfree,butdona tionsareacceptedandgoodieswillbeavailablefor$5a bag.

LovelandChoralSociety–

AVeryMerryChristmas

December9,7:30p.m.;December10,3and7:30 p.m.;December11,3p.m.

TheRialtoTheater,228E4thSt.,Loveland lovelandchoralsociety.org/current-season

JointheLovelandChoralSociety(LCS)forLoveland’s longestrunningholidaymusicaltraditionfeaturingLCS voicesandtheChristmasorchestra.Ticketscanbepur chasedthroughtheRialtoTheater.

featuresabrasschoir,aswellasperformancesfromCho ralemembers,bothindividuallyandingroups.

Getintheholidaymoodearlythisyearwithanyofthe aboveeventsaroundNorthernColorado.Betteryet, attendeacheventandbethejolliestelfontheblockthis season.

ChristmasWalkinTheWoods

December10,2022–January1,2023(Closed ChristmasDay),5-8p.m. TheSavageWoods,1750SavageRd.,Loveland christmaswalkinthewoods.com

Thewoodsareopennightlyforvisitorstowalkthrough andexperiencelights,SantaandChrist.Thereareplenty ofphotoopsandonspecialnightsSantaandcarolers willstopby.Specialeventnightdatesavailableonthe website.Hotchocolateisavailableforsaletokeepyou warmonyourwalk.

GreeleyChorale–

Gloria&HolidayHits December17,7:30p.m. CampusCommonsatUNC 105122ndSt.,Greeley greeleychorale.org

TheGreeleyChorale’sGloriaandHolidayHitsacom munityfavorite.PerformingJohnRutter’sbeautiful work, Gloria, withfamiliarholidayfavorites,theevening

ColoradoBachEnsemble–

AHolidayTradition: Handel’sMessiah December18,4p.m. GriffinConcertHall,UCA 1400RemingtonSt.,FortCollins coloradobach.org/production/messiah

“Quitelikelythemostbelovedchoralworkofalltime, Handel’s Messiah,hasbeenperformedannuallyallover theworldsinceitspremiereinDublinin1742.Wewill presenttheComplete‘Messiah’thisDecember,giving Coloradoaudiencesaninspiringandexhilaratingexperi enceofthismagnificentwork!”

Joiningtheprofessionalchorus/orchestraaresomeof thecountry’spremierBaroquesoloistsfromrighthere inColoradoandaroundthecountry.

ColoradoBachEnsemblepresentsaholidayfavorite,Handel’sMessiah. (CourtesyColoradoBachEnsemble)

ThecelebrationofChristisnotleftoutof ChristmasWalkintheWoods. (CourtesySavageWoods)

KELLYMCBARTLETT makeshismarkon

northernColorado‘forgood’

BySARAHHUBER forNorthernColoradoLife

WhileKellyMcBartlett, asapremierrealestate brokerwithTheGroup, Inc.RealEstate,now regularlyhandlessome ofthemostluxurious homesinnorthern Colorado,hecarries neartohimmemories ofchildhoodintheSan LuisValleyandknowledgeofthepatternsof hopelessnessandhurt thatcanemergefrom economicdisparity.“I noticed,evenasakid, thewaypeoplewere treateddifferently basedoneducation, incomelevelandother factors,”herecalled.“I feltfromayoungage thatIwantedtoright thewrongsandhopedto buildcommunityresources andrelationshipsforgood.”

TodayMcBartlettchannelshissuccessinrealestateto influencethelivesofhismostvulnerableneighbors.As chairoftheexecutiveboardofUnitedWayofLarimer County,“Icomewithalotofgratitude,”hesaid.“I choserealestatebecauseitallowsmetokeepmuch strongconnectionsinthecommunityandtoworkona

personallevelwithpeople. Thatisveryimportantto me.”

McBartlett,dubbeda “risingrealestatestar”by 5280Magazineanda“40 UnderForty”honoreeby BizwestBusinessJournal, hasbeenhustlingfrom youth.HebaggedgroceriesataSafewayinhigh schoolandworkedhis wayupasamanagerin college.Aftergraduating withadegreeinbusiness fromtheUniversityof NorthernColorado,he spenttimeinthecorporate officesofbothSafewayand Starbucks“beforedeciding thathereIwasputtingin hoursandhoursaweekbut notabletocloselyinteract withpeople.”About20yearsagoheenteredrealestate “andhaven’tlookedback,”hesaid.“Everyonehasa story,everyhousehasastory,thebuilderhasastory, andit’smymissiontolearnthoseuniquestoriesand helppeopleusethosestoriestofindthebuyerswho bestfitstheirhome–Iliketoaskwhat’suniquelyattractiveaboutahomeandthenbuildconnections.That’s whatmakesthismeaningful.”

KellyMcBartlett,premierrealestatebrokerwith

Whetherinhisdayjob, hobbiesorvolunteer outreach,McBartlett remainsfocusedon personalizedservice. Athome,heandhis husband,Blake,are dedicatedtotheir retiredGreyhounds, LexingtonandVictor: “They’relovers,” McBartlettsaid. “They’llsprintand thencuddleuponthe couch.Ilovetoendmy daytakingthemonawalk.”McBartlettalsoenjoysopeninghisresidenceandespeciallyhiskitchentofriends andfamilies.“Idon’tcookeveryday,butwhenIdoit’s anevent,notformaintenance,”hesaid,laughing.His signaturedishesinclude“Moroccanchickenwithjammy tomatoes”andpastaBolognese,atrue“event”requiring fourtosixhoursonthestovetop.

HolidaysfortheMcBartlettsaredomesticaffairs,with thecoupleusuallyhostingThanksgivingandChristmas. “Wewelcomebothsetsofparents,family,friends,everyoneisinvited,especiallythosewhomightlivefarfrom familyorareontheirown,”hesaid.McBartlettmakesa lemonyturkeywithherbsdeProvenceforThanksgiving andcrownsthemealwithasweetpotatocheesecake–“a littlenontraditionalbutdelicious,”headded.

It’snotsurprisingthatMcBartlettattendsFirstUnited

MethodistinFortCollinsinpartbecauseof thecongregation’s“care forfamiliesandkids,” saidMcBartlett,who hopestostartafamily soon.McBartlettisonthe church’sextendedvision committeeandservesasa liturgist,orreaderofScriptureduringtheworship service.

BackatUnitedWayofLarimerCounty,McBartlett said,“IloveUnitedWay. They’reoneoftheorganizationsdoingthemost amountofgoodinnorthernColorado.”Henoted thatLarimerCountyhas morenonprofitspercapita thanmostcountiesnationwide,“whichisgreat,but wecancreateredundancy orduplicationorsometimeswe’renotserving commongoalstomove theneedleonoutcomes.”

That’swhereUnited Waycomesin,bringing togethernonprofitstomoreeffectivelyfundraiseandto accomplishsharedgoals.

TwonewerprojectsforUnitedWayofLarimerCounty thatMcBartlettisparticularlyproudofarepartnering withgrassrootsorganizationstopromoteracialequity innorthernColoradoandbringingtoLarimerCounty DollyParton’sImaginationLibrary,aprogramwhich willprovideafreebookmonthlytofamilieswhosign upwithchildrenages5andunder.“Datashowsthat kidswhoarenotreadingatgradelevelbythirdgrade oftenendupperformingworseinschoolandexperience lowerlevelsofstabilitythroughouttheirlife,”McBartlett said.“We’reexcitedbeonboardwiththis,especiallyfor kidswhodon’thaveliterarysupportintheirfamilies. We’reexcitedtodogoodinourcommunitywhereverwe can.”That,afterall,hasbeenMcBartlett’shopesince childhood.

Ifeltfroma

Iwanted torightthe wrongsand hopedto build community resourcesand relationships forgood

KellyandBlakeMcBartlettwiththeirdogs,Lexington andVictor.(CourtesyKellyMcBartlett)

HolidayHelpers delivertoys,holidaymealstoareachildren

By SHELLEYWIDHALM forNorthernColoradoLife

Localbackpackand toycollectionpro gramsmakesure areachildreninneed haveholidaymeals andpresentsduring Thanksgivingand Christmas.

Togetfood,toys,kits andgamestothosechil dreninLarimerCounty, threelocalprogramsare collectingmoneyanddo nations,thenorganizingthe deliveriesanddistributions.They includebackpackprogramsKidsPak andOperationBackpackandtoycollection programToysforTots.

KIDSPAK

KidsPakhelpsfamiliesfight hungerthroughouttheyear aswellasontheHolidays. (CourtesyKidsPak)

KidsPakinLovelandpartneredwiththe threelocalSafewaystorestocollectdona tionsforgiftcardsthatchildrenandtheirfamiliescanuse topurchasethefixingsfortheirholidaymeals.Foodfor Families,whichstartedlastyear,replacesSafeway’sTur keyBucksandSantaBuckstogivefamiliesmoreoptions throughthegiftingof$50giftcards.

“It’smuchmorepracticalandflexible,”saidTomCarrigan, boardpresidentofKidsPak.“Itallowsfamiliestocreate theirownholidaymeals.”

Shoppersatthethreestorescandonateatthecashregis

terbydecidingtoroundupto thenearestdollaroradd$1, $3,$5oranotheramount totheirgrocerybill.The donations,generated Oct.19toDec.31,are thenplacedintothe giftcards.

Inthepast,Safeway raiseddonationsfor frozenholidaymeals, butwiththegiftcards, there’sbeena30% increaseingiving,Tom Carrigansaid.

Lastyear,KidsPakdistributed 950giftcardstothe41schools inThompsonSchoolDistrictduring ThanksgivingandChristmas.Nearly300 giftcardsforThanksgivingthisyearwere deliveredNov.11—giftcardsalsowillbe deliveredforChristmasandifthereare anyleftoveragaininJanuary.

KidsPakisabackpackprogramthat packssupplementalweekendmealstofood-insecure studentsingrocerybagsatanaverageof650bagsaweek. Thebagshaveenoughshelf-stablefooditemsforsixmeals andsnackstofeedthestudentsuntilMonday.

“Therearenoqualifications.Theyjusthavetobehungry,” saidCorrineCarrigan,volunteercoordinatorforKidsPak. “Wedonotknowwhoreceivesourbags.”

Thenumberofstudentsintheprogramincreased20% post-pandemic,coupledwiththecostoftheprogrambeing

impactedbyrisingfoodcosts,TomCarrigansaid.Thebags startedat$3.75abagandnoware$8.50to$10,hesaid.

KidsPakhaditsstartinspring2009byalocalRotarianwho learnedabouttheexplosionofbackpackprogramsacross thenation—whenhecontactedThompsonSchoolDistrict toseeiftherewasaprogramthereandlearnedthere wasn’t,hecreatedhisownprogram.Theprogram,which beganwiththreeelementaryschoolsand41students, becameanindependentnonprofitinMarch2021.

“Wejustgottoobig,anditwasamutualunderstanding,” TomCarrigansaid.

Sincetheprogram’sstart,KidsPakhittheonemillionmark inearlyOctoberofthenumberofbagsdelivered.Thebags arepackedtwoSundaysamonthbyvolunteersatThe Forge,andadditionalvolunteersdeliverthemon14set routeseveryWednesdaytoeachoftheschools.

“Ifyoudon’tfeedachildappropriatelyontheweekend, theirbrainwillnotacceptinformationuntilthey’vehadtwo daysoffreeandreducedlunches.Thatmeanstheydon’t learnuntilWednesday,whichautomaticallyputsthem behindtwodays,”CorinneCarrigansaid.“Wewon’tletthat happeninLoveland.”

FormoredetailsaboutKidsPak,visitkidspak.org.

OPERATIONBACKPACK

TheNoCoHBA(NorthernColoradoHomeBuilders Association)FoundationinLovelandoffersanothertype ofbackpackprogram,OperationBackpack,justforthe holidays.

Thefoundationpurchasesthebackpacks,whichdonors thencanpickupfromfiveNorthernColoradolocations. Theycanfillthemwith$50worthoftoys,games,craftsand toiletries,ortheycanmakeadonationof$50perchild,and theNoCoHBAboardandvolunteerswillfillthebags.

“Wejustsawaneedinourcommunity.Wesawkidswho weren’tseeingSanta,sowedecidedtoplaySanta’selves,” said KristieSchoellerman,foundationchairwomanofthe NoCoHBAFoundation,thecharitablearmofNoCoHBA. “Ourgoalistohelpoutinourcommunity,tousethetalents andskillsofourmembers.”

ThefoundationlaunchedtheprograminDecember2020 andfilled431backpacksthatyear,followedby435the nextyear—thegoalthisyearistofill500backpacks.The backpackswillgotochildrenages5to12wholiveinNoCo

HBA’scoverageareafromthe northsideofLongmontinto WeldandLarimercounties.

“Rightnowthat’swhere weseethegreatest need,”Schoellerman said.

Donationswillbe collectedthrough Dec.12andcan bedroppedoffat SpecialtyAppliancein FortCollins,RE/MAX AllianceinFortCollins andLoveland,Elevations CreditUnioninLoveland andC3RealEstateinGreeley. Foundationboardmembersand volunteerswillshopDec.12forthegift items,thenstuffthebackpacksDec.13 anddeliverthemtoRealitiesforChildren inFortCollins.Thefoundationpartnered withRealitiesforChildrenlastyearto distributethebackpacksduringitsSanta’s WorkshopCollectiontoyandwintergear distributionefforttoits40partneragen cies.

ToysCollectedforU.SMa rineCorpsReserveToysfor TotsCampaigngotomake sureasmanychildrenaspos siblegettoseeSanta.

tionboxesatstoresandbusinesses tocollectbrandnew,unused, unwrappedtoysthrough ChristmasEve.

“Ourmissionisnochild withinourreachgoes withoutChristmas,”said DeborahSimer,coordi natorofLarimerCounty ToysforTotsandafor meractivedutymarine.

“Theassetsprovidedby theMarineCorpsandbeing amarinemyselfgivesmea bigplatformtotakemyteamand servethekiddos.”

Thetoydrivegeneratesalargenumberoftoys forchildrenages2-10,sodonationsare usedtofillthegapforotheragegroups, Simersaid.Topurchasethetoys,Simer shopsaslocalasmuchasshecan,includ ingatLearningExpressinFortCollins, whichdonatesandprovidestoysata discount,shesaid.

“Therearesomanychildrenwhowon’tseeSantaunless wedothesekindsofprojects,”Schoellermansaid.“While we’redoingbestwecan,therearemorekidsoutthere thataren’tgettingreached.Wekeeptryingtoincrease ourreach.”

FormoredetailsaboutOperationBackpack,visitnocoh bafoundation.com/operation-backpack.html.

TOYSFORTOTS

LarimerCountyToysforTotsisanotheravenueforget tingtoysintothehandsofchildren.

Inoperationsincethemid-1990s,thenonprofitcollects anddistributestoysinLarimerCounty,BroomfieldCoun tyandnorthBoulderCounty—itisoneof800programs nationwideoperatedbytheU.S.MarineCorpsReserve.

ToysforTotsholdsfundraisingeventsandtoydrives tocollectdonationsandtoys,kitsandothergiftitems forchildrenages0-18.Thisyear,thereare125collec

“Lastyearwetouchedjustover50,000toys,”Simersaid, addingthat9,000childrenreceivedthosetoys.

LarimerCountyToysforTotsinventories,thendis tributesthetoystoits30partneragencies,whichthen deliverthemtotheirprogramparticipants.ToysforTots alsodoesfundraisingevents,suchasthroughitspartner shipwithColoradoEaglestopromotetheprogramat itsicehockeygamesandDinetoDonateeventsatlocal restaurants.

“Weareblessedwithanamazingcommunitythatloves theirveteransandkiddos,”Simersaid.“Frommyteam, thankyoutoeverybodybecausewecouldn’tdoitwithout you.”

FormoredetailsaboutLarimerCountyToysforTots, visitfort-collins-co.toysfortots.org.

GENEROSITY

BeginningNov.1andcontinuing throughColoradoGivesDayonDec.6, alldonationsmadetononprofitsonColoradoGives.orggetaboostfroma$1.4 millionIncentiveFundthatincreases theimpactofeverydollardonated.

Theonlinegivingplatformisfreefor eligiblenonprofitsandrecentlydebuted anewlookwithfeaturesthatmake fundraisingeveneasier.“Withjusta click,donorscansearch,find,andgive. Wemakeiteasyandsafefordonorsto supporttheirfavoritenonprofits,”said EricaThornley,vicepresidentofproductdevelopment.“ColoradoGives.org isarobustsocialgivingtoolthathelps donorsfindandconnecttothecauses theycareaboutmostallinoneplace.”

ColoradoGives365supportsimpactful givingeverydayoftheyearthrough ColoradoGives.org,providingeasy-tousefundraisingtoolsforbothdonors andnonprofits.

Community FirstFoundation createdColorado Gives365tohelp peoplediscover andsupport organizations thatmatchtheir passionsand interestsevery dayoftheyear

—KellyDunkin,President andCEOCommunityFirst Foundation

including:DeltaDentalofColorado; ColoradoHousingandFinanceAuthority (CHFA);GaryPhilanthropy;JanusHendersonInvestors;Amazon;DanielsFund; Graystone;IntermountainHealthcare; IrelandStapletonPryor&Pascoe,PC; Noodles&Company;T-MobileforBusiness;TrincheraBlancaFoundation;Enso Counseling,PLLC;JEDunnConstruction Group;Martin/Martin,Inc.;Syntrinsic SocialCapital;Denver7;Groundsfor Promotion;RockyMountainPBS;Entravision;5280;Comcast/Xfinity;andMile HighOutdoor.

“CommunityFirstFoundationcreatedColoradoGives365 tohelppeoplediscoverandsupportorganizationsthat matchtheirpassionsandinterestseverydayoftheyear,” addedDunkin.“ButbygivingonColoradoGivesDayon Dec.6,wehopetobringjoyandhappinesstoeveryonein Colorado.”

ColoradoGivesDayismadepossiblebyCommunityFirst FoundationwithsupportfromFirstBankandsponsors,

AboutCommunityFirstFoundation CommunityFirstFoundationhasbeen connectingdonorsandinnovativeColoradononprofitssince1975.AsthecommunityfoundationservingJeffersonCounty, wearecommittedtoconnectingpeople, ideasandnonprofitssothatallofJeffcois thriving.Wehelpdonorswithphilanthropicplanning,supportnonprofitswithgrants andresources,andtogether,buildresilientandconnected communities.Ourworkisrootedinradicallisteninganda commitmenttoequityandinclusion.

In2021,73,000donorsraisedmorethan$55millionfor 3,151nonprofitsonColoradoGivesDay.CommunityFirst Foundationlaunchedtheonlinegivingplatformthatpowers ColoradoGivesDayin2007,andsincethen,donorshave givenmorethan$511milliontoColoradononprofits.

Searchforparticipatingnonprofitsbyname,favorite causeorlocation.

InaPositiontoGiveSome MagicThisSeason?

Registration toAdopt

USPS Operation

SantaLetters

BeginsToday

PRNewswire/-Theseasonofgiv ingishere,andthe PostalServiceis puttingoutthecall forkind-hearted, generouspeople acrossthecountry tosignuptoadopt letterstoSanta.

ThePostalServiceannouncesUSPSOperationSanta.comisopenfor registrationthisseason.(Shutterstock)

ThoseinterestedinadoptingletterscangotoUSPSOp erationSanta.com,createanaccountandhavetheiriden titiesverifiedtohelpfulfilltheholidaywishesofchildren andfamilieswhohavewrittentoSanta.

USPSOperationSantareliessolelyonrandomactsof kindnessandthegenerosityofstrangers.For110years, theprogramhasprovidedsomeextramagictothosein needduringtheholidayseason.

Registrationisonlyforthosewishingtoadoptletters. Letterwritersdonotneedtoregister.

PotentialadoptersmustgotoUSPSOperationSanta.com, clickontheregistrationlinkandfollowtheprompts.For securityreasons,allprospectiveadoptersmustregister tocreateanaccountandhavetheiridentitiesverified beforetheycanparticipate.Evenifsomeoneadoptedlet

tersinthepast,they mustcreateanew accounteachyear. Ifapotentialadopter isunabletohave theiridentityveri fiedonline,theywill bedirectedtoget verifiedinperson. ThePostalSer vicewillsendthe adopterabarcode andthelocationof thenearestPostOf ficelocationthatcan providein-person IDverification. Onceapproved,the adopterwillreceive awelcomeemail withdetailedinfor mationonhowtoparticipateintheprogram.

VerifiedadopterscanvisitUSPSOperationSanta.com, readthroughthepostedlettersandchooseoneormore tofulfill.Oncethelettersarechosen,theadoptersmust followthedirectionsincludedintheirwelcomeemailto fulfilltheholidaywishes.

Businessesandotherorganizationscanalsogetintothe spiritoftheseasonbycreatingteamstoadoptletters. Everyoneparticipatingonateammustalsocompletethe verificationprocess.

Letteradoptersareresponsibleforallpostagecoststo shipthegiftpackages.

HundredsofthousandsoflettersarewrittentoSanta everyyear.TheselettersareopenedbySanta’selves

and,forsafetyreasons,allpersonallyidentifiableinformationintheletter(suchaslastnames,schoolnames, addresses,ZIPCodes)isremovedbeforethelettersare uploadedtoUSPSOperationSanta.comforadoption.

LetterswillbeavailableforadoptionfromNov.28 throughDec.19.

Santa’shelpersareavailabletoanswerquestionsat operationsanta@usps.gov.

AcceptNoImitations

ThereisonlyoneUSPSOperationSantaprogram,sanctionedbythePostalService.Fulfillingwishesthrough theofficialprogramisvoluntaryandanyorganization askingyoutogivethemmoneytoadoptlettersisin violationofthelawsunderwhichthePostalService operatesandisnotcondonedby,oraffiliatedwith,the U.S.PostalService.

USPSOperationSantaHistory

ThePostalServicebeganreceivingletterstoSanta

morethanacenturyago.In1912,PostmasterGeneral FrankHitchcockauthorizedlocalpostmasterstoallow employeesandcustomerstorespondtothem.Thisact ofkindnessbecamewhatisnowknownasUSPSOperationSanta.

Thecompleteprogramhistorycanbefoundonlineat theUSPSHolidayNewsroom,alongwithadditional newsandinformation,includingalldomestic,international,andmilitarymailingandshippingdeadlines.

ThePostalServicegenerallyreceivesnotaxdollarsfor operatingexpensesandreliesonthesaleofpostage, productsandservicestofunditsoperations.

PleaseNote:ForU.S.PostalServicemediaresources, includingbroadcastqualityvideoandaudioandphoto stills,visittheUSPSNewsroom.FollowusonTwitter, Instagram,PinterestandLinkedIn.Subscribetothe USPSYouTubeChannelandlikeusonFacebook.For moreinformationaboutthePostalService,visitusps. comandfacts.usps.com

Bobo’sinLoveland

launchesnew,windpoweredproductionfacility,increasing outputbythreetimeswhilereducingcarbonemissions

Thestate-of-the-artfacilitymarriesthesmall batch,hand-bakedqualityBobo’sisknownfor withthelatestinbakingautomationtechnology poweredbymothernaturetoensurelove remainsatcenterofeverydeliciousbite

PRNewswire/--TodayBobo’s,theColorado-basedsnack brandknownforitsdeliciousandnutritioussnacks madewithsimplewholesomeingredients,haslaunched itsnew,state-of-the-art,wind-poweredproductionfacility inLoveland.Tohelpmeetgrowingcustomerdemand, thenew123,000-square-footfacilitywillincreaseBobo’s productionofitsbelovedbars,bitesandtoasterpastries bymorethanthreetimeswhileatthesametime,reduc ingthecompany’scarbonfootprint.Bobo’sseeksto achievecarbonneutralitybyDecember2022.

“It’strulyamazingtothinkbacktowhenmydaughter, Bobo,andIbakedthatfirstbatchofoatbarsinmy kitchen,”saidBerylStafford,FounderofBobo’s.“It’s extremelyrewardingtoseehowfarwe’vecometodayas

westaytruetothatsamehomebaked,handmadequal ity,onlynowin24ovens!Allofwhichproducethesame yummysnacksmadewiththesamewholesomeingredi entsandthesamedelicioustasteandtextureasthatfirst oatbarin2003.Aswehavescaledourproductionfrom mykitchentothisnew‘super’bakery,throughitallit’s remainedparamountthatwemaintainthequalityofour products.”

Bobo’shasinvestedsignificantlytoincreasethespeed andefficiencyofitsbakingcapabilitieswithoutchanging theproducts’handmadelookandfeel.Itsnew,state-ofthe-artbakingequipmentincludesautomatedequipment thattampsthebarsintothesignatureBobo’span.One ofthesemachines,affectionatelynicknamed‘theBobot’, wasdesignedtoexactlyreplicateBobo’ssignature handmadelookandtexture.Bobo’snewbakeryhasthe abilitytoproduce1millionbars,bitesortoasterpastries adayandthecompanyalreadyhasplansinplaceto furtherincreasecapacity.

“Thisdayismorethantwoyearsinthemaking,”said

TJMcIntyre,CEOofBobo’s.“We’rethrilledtoofficially openourincrediblenew‘superbakery’today,andto continuetosupportthegrowing,nationwideconsumer demandforBobo’sproducts.We’vebroughtourentire operation,includingproductionandpackaging,under oneextremelyefficient,wind-poweredrooftoproduce aproducttrueandauthentictoBeryl’soriginalvision thatbeganyearsagoinherownkitchen.DespiteBobo’s tremendoussuccessandgrowthoverthelast19anda halfyears,wefeellikewearejustgettingstarted.”

Inadditiontobeingpoweredentirelybywind,thenew Bobo’sBakeryhasalsoachievedmorethan95%diversionofitssolidwastefromthelandfill.Further,Bobo’s hascommittedtocarbonneutralitybytheendofDecember2022andhasplanstopurchasecarbonoffsets.The openingofthenewbakeryconsolidatesBobo’sthree previousfacilities,significantlyreducinginternalCO2 emissions.

“I’mextremelyproudofourentireteamwhoworkedtirelesslytomakethisamazingnewfacilityareality,despite facingextremelychallengingsupplychainissues,”added McIntyre.“Wenolongerneedtopassupgrowthop-

portunitiesduetoproductionconstraintsandarenowon tracktoquicklybecomethelargestindependentlyowned snackbarcompanyintheUS.TheCityofLovelandhas alsobeenawonderfulpartnerthroughoutthisprocess andwelookforwardtoworkingcloselywiththecommunityhereforyearstocome!”

Bobo’sworkedhand-in-handwiththeCityofLoveland, whenchoosingthelocationofanddevelopingthenew facility.ManyBobo’semployeesliveinornearthe Lovelandareamakingthenewlocationamuchmore convenientoption.OtherBobo’semployeesnowhave theoptionforhybridorfullyremotework,supporting awork-lifebalanceforall300ofthegrowingBobo’s workforce.

“Bobo’sisaleaderinColorado’snaturalproductscommunity,”saidJackHill,ExistingIndustryManager,City ofLoveland.“We’reproudtheirdelicioustreatswillnow bemadewithloveinLovelandattheirnewfacility.This ahugewinforLoveland’shealthyfoodindustrycluster andatrendwehopetocontinueforyearstocome.”

FormoreinformationaboutBobo’s,visiteatbobos.com.

5WaystoBeGood toYourself

OvertheHolidays

BYEMMACASTLEBERRYforNorthernColoradoLife

Theholidaysareatimeforgenerosityandgiving,and itcanbeeasytoforgetyourselfwhenyou’resobusy buying,wrapping,cooking,andplanningforothers. Self-careshouldbeatthetopofyourto-dolistthisseason–hereishowtomakeithappen.

1.TAKEAHOTBATH…

What’smorerelaxingthanahotbath?Ahotbathwith aCBDbathbomb.“BathbombsworkgreatwithCBD inthemornot,”saysEricSweatt,ownerofTheCBD Store.“WhenyouaddCBDtoit,thataddsanextra medicalpiecetohelpingpeoplewiththerelaxingof theirmusclesandbettersleepatnight.It’sadouble whammy.”

Withanarrayofscentsandstrengths(from25mgof CBDto100mg),thereisabathbombforeveryone atTheCBDStore.Anddon’tassumethisisagirly self-caretechnique–Sweattsaysmanyofthepeople whopurchasethisproductaremen.“Wegetalotof constructionpeoplewhocomeinandbuyourbath bombsbecauseafteradayshardworkthey’reallsore,” hesays.“Themajorityofpeoplewhobuyourbath bombsareguysinconstructionwhohavepain.”CBD bathbombsstartat$4atTheCBDStore,foraquick andaffordablewaytounwindafteralongdayofholiday chores.

2....ANDRELAX.

ForadditionalrelaxationduringorafteryourCBDbath bombexperience,tryafewlow-doseproductsfrom

Relaxinhotbathwithalittleextrapampering.(Shutterstock)

KindCareofColorado.ChillDropsbythecompany1906 aretastelesstabletsmeanttobeswallowedwhichdeliver asoothing5mgofTHCand25mgofCBDtoyour system,soyoucanrelaxfromtheinsideout.“These tabletsareazerocalorie,gluten-free,dairyfreeedible optionwhichtakeeffectwithin20minutesofingestion,” saysJakeHarvey,salesmanageratKindCare.“Much quickerthanmostediblesonthemarket.”

Forasweetertreat,tryMr.Moxey’sArtisanMints,with 5mgofTHCand5mgofCBDthattakeseffectin30-60 minutesafteringestion.Orsomethingfruitier,likethe low-doseRipplegummies,inflavorslikebloodorange, greenteamango,andhoneylavender,withthreedifferentdosingchoices:5mgTHC;2.5mgTHCand2.5mg CBD;or10mgCBDand0.25mgTHC.

3.GETAGOODNIGHT’SSLEEP. Onceyou’vecompletelyunwoundwithaCBDbath bombandalow-doseediblefromKindCare,it’stime tohitthehay.Isyourbedservingyouaswellasitcan? You’regoingtoneedyourbeautysleepthisseason,so considerupgradingyoursleepset-up.

TheSleepStoreofFortCollinscarriesallthebest brandsofmattress,includingSealy,Serta,andTempurPedic.Thethingaboutamattressisthatit’sspecific toyourbody,sovisitTheSleepStoreandtryoutafew differentkindstoseewhatyoulike.Whileyou’rethere, youcanbrowsetheirselectionoffinepillows,linens,and sheetstoreallytakeyourslumbertothenextlevel.

4.BUYYOURSELFSOMEFLOWERS.

Abeautifulbouquetofflowersisawonderfulpick-me-up, particularlyduringthedarkdaysofwinter.Don’twaitfor

Agoodnight’ssleepcanmake allthedifferenceinyourholidaymood. (Shutterstock)

ChillDropsby1906 sootheyoufromthe insideout. AvailableatKindCare ofColorado.

SantaClaustobringyouanarrangement–buyonefor yourselfatRowesFlowers.

“Especiallyduringtheholidayseason,flowers,greenery,andplantsareidealforselfcarebecauseofthe colors,aromas,andnaturallifethattheyprovide,”says co-ownerClintHartley.Hartleyrecommendsevergreen centerpieces,freshgarlands,poinsettiasandwreathsfor thoselookingforaboostofnostalgiaorsomethingclassic.Moremodernandcolorfulchoicesfortheholidays mightincludecarnations,roses,mums,StarofBethlehem,oreventropicaloptionslikealstroemeria,hypericumberries,andorchids.

5.SMILEBRIGHT.

Lookingyourbestisanotherwaytoboostyourmood thisholidayseason.Practicesomeself-carewithateethwhiteningprocedureatthedentalofficeofDr.Steven Hood.Thisisasimple,affordablewaytoputyourbest selfondisplaythisseason.“Theinofficebleachingsystemsarewaymorecosteffective,”saysofficemanager JessicaStone.“Teethwhiteningisafundentalexperiencebecausepatientscanseearesult.”

FEELINGTHESTRESSOF HIGHENERGYBILLS?

Newprogramshelplowercosts

(BPT)-Soaringenergyprices equatetorisingenergybillsfor householdsnationwide.This isaburdeninparticularfor low-incomepeopleonatight budget.Nooneshouldhave togowithouttheenergy necessarytoheatandpower theirhome,andnow,thanks tonumerousprogramsand incentives,therearemore optionstokeepcostsdownfor thosethatneeditmost.

Thisfall,youcanmakeachangefor yourselfandothersonENERGYSTARDay, anannualcelebrationofthebenefitsofenergyefficiency, includingsavingenergy,moneyandprotectingtheplanet. Considertheseopportunitiestomakeenergyefficiency upgradesandhelploweryourenergybillsandsavemoney. Learnabouttheseandotherwaystosaveenergyand moneyatenergystar.gov/SaveForGood.

Rebatesandtaxincentives

Throughrebatesandtaxincentives,ENERGYSTARcerti fiedproductslikeheatpumpwaterheaters,cleanheating andcooling,andhouseholdappliancesarebecoming moreaffordablewhileenablingcustomerstosaveontheir monthlyenergybills.Forexample,ENERGYSTARcerti fiedheatpumpsareeligiblefora$300federalincometax creditforresidentialenergyefficiency,plusrebatesand incentivesfromlocalutilitiesinmanyareas.

Ultra-efficientupgrades

Whenupgradingheatingandcoolingelementsofthe home,lookforoptionswithsuperiorefficiency.Heat pumps,forinstance,aremoreefficientthanfurnacesor boilersandservedoubledutywithheatingandcooling, makingthemusableyear-round.Combineheatpumpswith otherhigh-impactenergy-efficiencyimprovementsforan ENERGYSTARHomeUpgradetoachievesignificanten ergyandcostsavingswhiletransitioningfromfossilfuels toacleaner,healthier,morecomfortablehome.

Supportfromlocalutilities

Localutilitiesmayofferenergy efficiencyupgradesupportforlowincomecustomers.Whenavail able,theseprogramstypically includeahomeenergyassess mentaccompaniedbydirect installofenergy-savingdevices includingENERGYSTARcerti fiedsmartthermostats.Eligibility isusuallybasedonhouseholdsize andincomeinrelationtoapercent agethresholdabovetheFederal PovertyLevelorAreaMediumIncome (AMI).Dependingonwhereyoulive,these programsmaybeworkingwithstateagencieswho providelow-incomeservicesmorebroadly.

Weatherizationassistanceprograms

EachU.S.stateoffersaWeatherizationAssistancePro gram(WAP)availableforhouseholdsthatqualify(such asthosethatalreadyqualifyforSupplementalSecurity Income,AidtoFamilieswithDependentChildren,and otherincomeeligibilitycriteria).Thisprogramincludes ahomeenergyassessmentandhelpwithweatherization upgrades,likeatticinsultation,andfixingorreplacingold waterheaters.

Low-incomeassistanceprograms

TheLowIncomeHomeEnergyAssistanceProgram(LI HEAP)offershelpwithhomerepairsandupgradesbased onhouseholdsizeandincome.Forexample,afour-person householdwithanannualincomeof$39,750wouldqualify forLIHEAPandcouldgetareplacementforabrokenheat ingandcoolingsystemthroughthisprogram.

Thetypicalhouseholdspendsnearly$1,900ayearon energybills.WithENERGYSTARappliances,youcansave 24%orabout$450inhouseholdenergycostswhilehelping preventclimatechange.Thosesavingsareontopofassis tanceprograms,rebatesandtaxincentivesthathelpkeep everyhomecomfortablewhilestayingonbudget.Learn moreatenergystar.gov/SaveForGood.

LOVELAND, Colo.–The Loveland WinterHoliday Councilhas releasedits 33rdannual holidayornament,“Hop onBoard”by artistRandy Maid.The2022limitededitionornamentisnowonsale attheLovelandVisitorsCenteraswellasthroughseven otherretailersthroughoutthecity.

Everyyearthecouncilrecruitslocalartists’submissions, selectsthedesignandfabricateseachornamentinashop ownedandoperatedbylong-timeWinterHolidayCouncil volunteer,BenCordsen.ItwasLovelandartistRandy Maid’s2022design,whichfeaturesatrainapproaching thehistoricColorado&SouthernRailwayDepot,that caughtthecommission’seyeforthesignatureholiday ornament.

“Thetrainaswellasthehistorictrainstationdepictedin theornamentrepresentLoveland’scontributiontothe expansionoftheWest,”saidMaid.“Havinghistoryatour backdoorisexcitingwhenwediscoverit.Thatwasmy inspiration.”

OrnamentsaleproceedsfundthefabricationanddistributionoftheornamentsaswellasWinterHolidayCouncilsupportedholidaylightdisplays.Thelightingofthe NamaquaStar,occurringinlateNovember,isabeloved holidaytraditionundertakenbyWinterHolidayCouncil volunteersincollaborationwiththeCityofLoveland PowerDepartment.

Foralmost35yearsChristmasornamentshavebeen offeredforsaletothecommunitywithprofitsusedtopurchasemajorChristmasdecorationstobeautifyandcheer theLovelandChristmasseason.Theearlyornaments wereporcelainandsince1989ornamentshavebeencast insilverbearingpewterasvaluedfamilykeepsakes.

“Iwouldliketoextendabigthankyoutoallourvendors,

pastandpresent,whohelptheWinterHolidayCouncil sellthekeepsakeornamenteachyear.OnlywithcommunityparticipationarethevolunteersoftheWinterHoliday Councilabletodecoratethecity,”saidCordsen.“Watch forthelightingoftheNamaquastartoshineoverthecity foralltheholidayseason.LightingoftheNamaquaStar traditionallymarksthestartoftheChristmasholidays andremainstowelcometheNewYear.”

TheWinterHolidayCouncilpreviouslymanagedtheLagoonLightsatFooteLagoonfrom2019-2021andholiday lightinganddecorationsattheSouthShoreScenicParkwaysince1999.Duetolackofvolunteerhelp,theWinter HolidayCouncilisnotabletoprovidetheselighted holidaydisplaysthisyear.Consequently,theWinterHolidayCouncilwillsetasidethisyear’sprofitstoensurefabricationofnextyear’sornamentandwillactivelyrecruit volunteerstobringbackthesevaluableholidaycelebrationsinthefuture.Inadditionaltotheretailoutletsbelow, WinterHolidayCouncilornamentsaresoldthroughout theyearattheLovelandVisitorsCenter.

howerBlvd.,Loveland

AbouttheWinterHolidayCouncil

TheWinterHolidayCouncilstartedasaprojectbyaLeadershipLovelandclassasajointeffortbetweenLoveland’sCity Council,theLovelandChamberofCommerce,andselect downtownorganizations.Morethan33yearslater,thecouncil stillseekstoimproveLovelandduringtheholidayseasonby decoratingandbringingthefestivespirittothecommunityfor allresidentsandgueststoenjoy!Learnmoreatwinterholidaycouncil.org

1

DecktheirHalls

1

Uniquegiftsthatmaketheirlivingspaces morecomfortableandsuittheirstylearenot onlythoughtful,butappreciatedyearround

TinyTreasureBoxesarebeautiful, unique,andhandmadeinthe USAfromrecycledmaterial.These highqualitycraftsmanshipboxes arelasercutinMaine.WildBirds Unlimitedhasauniquecollection oftheseboxesfeaturingnature scenes,animals,andbirds.They comeintwosizestostoreyourtiny treasures—greatstockingstuffer!

2

-CutelittleLucumaGourd OwlsareFairTradeornaments designedincollaborationwith, andhandcraftedbyPeruvian mastergourdartists.Through artisticcollaboration,superb craftsmanship,sustainabledesign andamazingteamwork,Lucuma Designs’collectionsspreadbeauty andcheertoconsumersandartists alike!Bybuildingpartnerships,they empowerPeruvianartistsandtheir communities.LucumaDesignsis aproudmemberoftheFairTrade FederationandOnePercentforthe Planetsince2018.($13.99)

WildBirdsUnlimitedLongmont,1520 SouthHoverStreetSuiteD,Longmont, wbu.com/longmont

3

Thesegreenaventurinepolishedpillarsaresuretoenhancetheholidayspirit. Usedinmeditationorsimplyasabeautifulstatementpiece,thesepillarsarea wonderfulhomedécorgift.($65)

4

ThisAmethystCrystalClusterLampisoneofmanygemstonelampvariations soldatCrystalJoys.Thisitemisastatementpieceandisaperfecthomedecor giftforanyone.($128)

CrystalJoys,123N.CollegeAveSuite150,FortCollins,crystaljoys.com

4 -BeautifulwrappedGemstoneTreesonWooden Bases.Theselovelytreesstand11inchestallandcomein variousstones.CrystalJoysalsocarriesmanyvariationsof gemstonetreesinmanysizesandstonebases.($40)

5 ThisAgateSliceIncenseBurnerispartofthegemstone homedecorcollectionofCrystalJoys.Thisauthenticslice ofagateistheperfectgiftandcanbepurchasedwith chakraincense.($25)

CrystalJoys,123N.CollegeAve. Suite150,FortCollins crystaljoys.com

5 Flowersboostanyone’sdayandRowes Flowerscanhelpyoufindtheperfect arrangement!Fromspecialholiday arrangements,totheirfavoriteplantor colorfulblooms,flowersareathoughtfulandcolorful-giftforahostorhostess,a farawaylovedoneorlastminuteguest. Andifyouwantedtoputabeautifulliving centerpieceonyourowntable,Rowescan helpwiththattoo.

RowesFlowers,863ClevelandAve.,

Giftsforthefeatheredandfurred

Animals,whetherourpetsorthebackyard wildlife,bringhappinessandjoytoourlives yearafteryear.Thisholidayseason,give themthepamperingtheydeserve! Season’s

1 ButtonstheSnowmanisagreatwaytogetthebirds intotheholidayspirit.Heisamixofseeds,nutsandfruit andhe’sonlyavailableatWildBirdsUnlimited.Comein andmeetallourseedcharacterslikePrestonthePenguin, RascaltheRaccoon,andOlivetheOwl.Thesemakeafun giftandareawonderfuladditiontoanybackyard.What asimplewaytoenterthebirdfeedinghobby.Theyare suretobeaholidaydelightforthebirdsaswellasnature enthusiasts.

Shopnowforauniquemixofbirdfood,feeders,and nature-inspiredgifts!

WildBirdsUnlimitedLongmont,1520S.HoverSt.,Ste.D Longmont,wbu.com/longmont

2 TryCBDOilforyourpet’swellbeing!

Reduceanxietyandalleviatepainforyour favoritefurryfriend.Availableintinctures andtreats.

TheCBDStore,1528NLincolnAve. No.6,Loveland thecbdstorecompany.com

Self-carethisSeason

2

Givesomeonethegiftofselfcare!Arelaxingnightinorafun nightoutmightbejustthepickmeuptheyneed.

1—Givethegiftofwell-beingwithcustommadeCBDgiftpacks.Combinethehealing benefitsofCBDwithproductsthatpamper andcomforttheluckyrecipient.Allgiftpacks arediscountedfortheholidays!

1 3 4

3—TheGlacierLineofCBDOilscomeinfullspectrumandbroadspectrumvarieties(stop byTheCBDStoretolearnwhat’sbestfor you)andareavailableinavarietyofflavors: Strawberry,Wintergreen,MandarinOrange andCherryVanilla.$20andup.

2—Aches,painsinflammation,stiffness-get relieffromalloftheseandmorewithCBD SkinSalve.Craftedwithaproprietaryblend ofnaturalplantbuttersandoils,andinfused withessentialoilstocomplimentthehemp compoundsandprovidecalmingaromatherapybenefits-alittlegoesalongway! TheCBDStore,1528NLincolnAve.,No.6,Loveland,thecbdstorecompany.com

4—HolidayConcertTickets-Come,jointheGreeleyChoraleforan eveningofholidaymusicat“Gloria&HolidayHits”Saturday,December17at7:30p.m.atUNCCampusCommons.Thisperformance featuresJohnRutter’sGloria,withbrasschoir,aswellasavarietyof favoriteholidaypieces.You’llhearJingle,Bells,ISawThreeShips, HarktheHerald,andmuchmore.InadditiontothefullChorale, therewillbeperformancesbyChoralemembers,individuallyandin groups.Come,enhanceyourholidayswiththeglorioussoundofThe GreeleyChorale!($22)

1 HybridPatriotCountryWesternBoot—Thisallpurposeleatherbootcomeswithagrippy,oil-andslipresistantrubbersoleforsolidtractiononanysurface. Hunters,takenote:Thepatrioticdeerskullpatch makesittrulyunique.($174.99)

2 LamoPaulaCasualShoe-Men’sandLadiescolors— Meetyournewgotoshoe.Hitthesummerinstylewith thePaulaLAMO-LITE.You’llbehard-pressedtofind amorecomfortableanddurableshoethankstoour LAMO-LITEEVAoutsole.($49.99)

3 TrollSupportBlueCollarCamoHoodie—Heavy weighthoodiefromthe“dirtyhandscleanmoney” crew!Regularfit.($64.99) Whiteside’sBoots,20172ndAve.,Greeley, whitesidesboots.com

4 JadePendant-ThispolishedJadePendantissetin sterlingsilver.Jadeisaprotectivestoneandisthought tobringgoodlucktothosewhowearit.($90)

5

5 BohemianCrystalNecklace-Thissinglestonebohemianstylenecklacealsocomesinmultiplestonesandvariations. Eachiscraftedwithanoil-rubbedbronzefinishandan accompaniedchainthatisabout18”inlength.($36)

CrystalJoys,123N.CollegeAveSuite150,FortCollins, crystaljoys.com

Gowitha GiftCard

Whenyoudon’tknowwhattoget...orthesize...orthecolor, agiftcardistheperfectgiftforanyoneonyourlist!One card,acceptedatover75differentstores,restaurantsand movietheater.Center-widegiftcardscanbepurchasedatthe ManagementOffice.A$2activationfeeappliestoeachcard purchased.

ThePromenadeShopsatCenterra,5971SkypondDr.,Loveland thepromenadeshopsatcenterra.com

Snow-timelikethePresent

Oddsareyouhaveawintersportsenthusiast inyourlifeandnewgeartokeepthemonthe slopeswillalwaysbeappreciated.

1

1 Thenew22/23Oakley

Mod5MipsBlackoutHelmet comeswiththebestsafety featureoutthere,MIPS.BOA adjustablefit,multiplevents andasleekdesign.($270)

2 TheSmithSquadXL comeswithablackframe, andtwoChromaPopLens. TheSunRedMirrorand StormYellowFlash.Ithas theFog-Xinnerlensand isafantasticgoggleforon themountainatabudget pricing.($155)

3 TheK2Recon120MV

HeatGripwalkisamusthave foreveryskieroutthere, it’sheatedandisgripwalk compatible.Thisisa120stiff boat,withalastof100mm fortheaveragefoot.($850)

2

3 4

4 TheK2Women’sSnowboardBootisa beautifulnewadditiontotheMountain Rentalscollection.ItsdoubleBOA,and comeswithIntuitionlinerforcomfort. ($299.95)

5 TheVölklBlazeisdesigned primarilyforshort,fastturns, butitsthreedifferentradiiand tip-to-tailhybridmulti-layer woodcoreadapttoanyriding style,howeverambitious. ($649.99)

6 TheNeverSummer22/23 lineupisbetterthanever.This istheProtoSynthesisSeries, whichiscamber/rocker/camber withaflexanddampof6.This isaperfectall-mountainBoard. ($619.99)

7

8

7 Thisyear’sNeverSummer Women’sProtoSlingertopsheet isbeautiful,andagreatchoicefor afreestyleboard.Thisboardis camber/rocker/camberwithaflexof 4anddampof4.Thisisafunboard toridearoundthemountainon. ($549.99)

8 Thisyear’sHeadJoyserieshas outdoneitagain,thewiderange ofintroductoryskisforwomanfits allskilllevelsastheyprogress.The TotalJoyisalight,funandeasy allmountainski.Thisskialsohas thebindingincludedintheprice. ($1150)

MountainRentals,401E. EisenhowerBlvd.,Loveland, mountainrentalsinc.com

Embracetheholidaymagic thatonlycomesonceayear.

Ziggi’sCoffeehasperfectedtheultimatelineup ofholidayflavorsforamerryandbrightseason. FromnowuntilJanuary3,anassortmentof deliciousholidaytreatswillbeavailableforthe wholefamilytoenjoy.

Feelthewarmththisseasonwiththenew SpicedCookieLatteandthereturnofcustomer favoritesincludingtheEggnogLatte,Pepper mintExpress,CandyCaneCrunch,andPep permintChocolateCakePop.Theseseasonal goodiesareperfectlypairedwithhangingup thelights,watchingholidayclassicsandsinging festivecarols.Eachdrinkcanbemadehot,iced orblendedtoenhanceeveryholidayfestivity.

“Ourinspirationforthisyear’sholidaymenuis tobringabitofjoytoourcustomerswhohave broughtussomuchhappinessthroughoutthe year,”saidKathrynBleeker,DirectorofMarket ingatZiggi’sCoffee.“Ourcommunityhassurrounded uswithincrediblesupportandwewanttospreadalittle holidaycheerwithawonderfulmomenttheycanlook forwardtoastheyenjoyoneofourseasonaltreats.”

THISYEAR’SHOLIDAY

LINEUPFEATURES:

EggnogLatte-Aholidayclassicfilledtothebrimwith creamyeggnog,oursignatureespressoandtoppedwith nutmeg-dustedwhippedcream.

SpicedCookieLatte-Combinedwithespresso,thislatte bringsoutthetasteoffreshlybakedshortbreadcookies withatouchofcinnamonandbrownsugarflavor.It’s thendecoratedwithaswirlofwhippedcreamandglisten ingrawsugarcrystals.

CandyCaneCrunch-Stayjollyduringthehustleand bustleoftheseasonwiththisespresso-baseddrinkfea

turingpeppermintbarksaucethatistoppedwithwhipped creamandcrushedcandycanes.

PeppermintExpress-Believeinthemagicoftheseason oncemorewhenyouexperiencethecombinationof steamedmilkandpeppermintbarksaucetoppedwith whippedcreamandfestivegreensprinkles.Thisholiday treatiscaffeine-freeandkidZoneapproved.

PeppermintChocolateCakePops-Unwraptheperfect treatandtryourseasonalchocolatecakepop,dippedin chocolatefrostingandtoppedwithcrushedpeppermint candy.Selectionandavailabilitymayvarybylocation.

TheseholidaytreatsareavailablefromNovember9,2021 -January3,2022,atallZiggi’sCoffeelocations.Indulge withZiggi’sCoffeethisholidayseasonanddon’tforget thatbaggedwholebeancoffee,single-servepodsandgift cardsmakegreatgiftsforallthecoffee-loversonyour list!Youcanplaceyourorderonlineatziggiscoffee.com/ shoporstopbyyourlocalZiggi’sCoffeelocation.

By ADAMGOLDSTEIN forNorthernColoradoLife

Theholidayseason carriesplentyofpres sure,andnotjustfor thosedeliveringtoys acrosstheglobeon asinglenightofthe year.

Whateverspecific holidaysoneobserves, thistimeofyearcar riesalotofexpecta tionsinaspecific arena:food.Whether it’sthecenterpiece turkeyorhamon ChristmasDay,the perfectpotatolatkesonHanukkahorthebestsend-offto 2022forthetastebudsonDec.31,thisseasonisallabout highedibleexpectations.Eventhebestofhome-chefscan sufferunavoidablekitchenemergencies:anovengoeson theblink,aturkeyhitsthefloor(ordoesn’tquitethaw),orGodforbid-illnessstrikes.

Happily,there’sgoodnewsforallthosewould-bechefswho arealreadydeepintheseasonalkitchenpanicattacks.Ac cordingtothelatestinflationdata,volatilefoodcostsinthe tailendof2022meanthatitmaybemorecost-effectiveto dineoutthantospendthosepainstakinghoursinthehome kitchen.Drivenlargelybythecostofturkeyandother spotlightproteins,thehighwinterfoodpricesmeanthat 2022couldbetheyearwhenfindingthemostcost-effective

Austin’sAmericanGrill andTheMootHouse offerNocoresidents severallocations,to choosefromincluding thenewoneGreeley (above).Dinerscan choosefromclassic Americanfare,often withadelicioustwist. (CourtesyAustin’s AmericanGrill)

holidaygrubmeanshittingthebestlocaleateries.

InnorthernColorado,thattranslatesintoplentyofop tions.Whetherit’shibachisteaks,old-fashionedAmeri canfare,Asianfusion,pubfareorNepalesedelights, thissectionofthestateoffersplentyinthewayoffood options,evenonChristmasEve,ChristmasDay,New Year’sEveandotherspecialdaysinDecember.

Anyonewhohaseverseenthe1983classicfilm“A ChristmasStory”willlikelyholdasoftspotforaChrist masmealconsumedinanAsianrestaurant.Foranyone wantingtorecreatethatmood,northernColoradoof fersplentyofoptionsonDec.24andDec.25.

TheBlindPigPub inFortCollins servesupitswide varietyofpubfa voritesandinterna tionallyinfluenced cuisine-anddon’t forgetthedrinks. (CourtesyThe BlindPigPub)

EastMoonAsianBistroandSushi(eastmoonbistro togo.com)at2400E.HarmonyRoadinFortCollinsis openChristmasEve,ChristmasDayandNewYear’s Eve,andoffersavariedmenuwithstaplesfromThai, VietnameseandJapanesecuisine.Whetheryou’rein themoodforanoodlebowl,aselectionfromthesushi barorThaibarbecuedchicken,EastMoonhasthe varietyandqualitytosatisfyawidearrayofpalates, especiallyonaspecialday.

Foramoredynamic,interactivediningexperience fromtheEast,theHibachiJapaneseSteakhouse (hibachifoco.com)at1051W.HorsetoothRoadin FortCollinsoffersallthebestfeaturesofthehibachi experience.Chefsprepareappetizersandentreesata grillrightatyourtable,asetupthatfeelsparticularly fittingforaholidaysharedwithfriendsandfamily.The steakhouseisopen4to10p.m.onChristmasEve,noon to10p.m.onChristmasDayand2to10p.m.onNew Year’sDay.

Thoselookingformoreofadown-homefeelfora holidaymealcanchoosebetweenawidearrayofpubs, breweries,bars,grillsandbistrosspreadacrossthe area.

TheBlindPigPub(blindpigfortcollins.com),locatedat 214LindenSt.inFortCollins,offersthekindofhomey, casualdiningambienceonewouldexpectinanycol legetownworthitssalt.Thatsettingcouldmakefora perfectoptiononChristmasEve,ChristmasDayorNew Year’s,whentheBlindPigwillbeofferingitssignature mixofpubfavorites(thinkchipsandqueso,chicken tendersandchickenwings),pepperedwithinnovative takesonclassics(theirvegetablecurrysamosasand friedgreentomatoesareperfectexamplesofhowthis pubveersfrombar-foodformula).

TheMootHouse(themoothouse.com)andAustin’s AmericanGrill(austinsamericangrill.com)arealsogood optionsforholidaydinerslookingtomixfamiliarcues

withexoticflavors.Withmultiplelocationsacross FortCollinsandGreeley,bothrestaurantshaveplenty inthewayofdown-homecookingthatwillfitperfectly withaholidaycelebration.Rotisseriechicken,pork ribs,tenderloinandotherheartystaplessharethe menuwithfuntwistsonappetizers,soupsandsalads. Bothrestaurantswillfeaturespecialmenuitemson ChristmasEveandChristmasDay,andreservations arehighlyrecommended.

Theholidaysareatimetosplurge,andtheareaoffers goodoptionstofeelfancyforthefinalmonthof2022. Forexample,theStanleyHotel(stanleyhotel.com), knowntomanyinColoradoandbeyondasthecenter ofHalloweenspookinessinspiredby“TheShining,” alsohasafestivefacet.ThehotelinEstesParkwill hostaChristmas-themedbuffetbetween11a.m.and 3:30p.m.onDec.25.ThisquintessentiallyColoradan celebrationoftheholidayrequiresreservations;call aheadorlogontothewebsitetosecureaspot.

Colorado’sownSweetheartCitywillonceagain beofferingcouplesthechancetogetmarriedor renewtheirvowsinagroupcelebrationoflove. “TheLovelandValentine’sDayWeddingandVow RenewalCeremony”hastakenplacefor6years.So farover300peoplehavebeenmarriedorrenewed theirvowsonValentine’sDayinLovelandatthis event!

2023bringsyetanotherchangeinvenueto offercouplesaonceina lifetimeopportunityto getmarriedONTHEICE!PartneringwithThe ColoradoEagles,MBDMarketing&Events,along withsupportfromlocalLovelandbusinesses,the chamber,andthecity,arekeepinglovealiveand givingcouplesamemorableweddingexperience.

“It’ssoexcitingtohostthislong-standingLoveland traditionforthefirsttimeonouriceaspartofthe Eagles20thAnniversaryseason”-GavinRiches, ExecutiveVicePresident,ColoradoEagles

TicketswentonsaleNovember1,2022andwillbe capped,asweddingregistrationincludestickets totheEagleshockeygame.Eventinformationand ticketsareavailableatValentinesDayInLoveland. com.

Thecostisjust$140percoupleandincludesa memorableexperience,customizedceremony& music,alongwithgifts!TheeventishostedbyMy BigDayMarketing&Events,withthesupportof manycityandlocalsmallbusinesspartnerswhocare aboutspreadingtheloveonValentine’sDayinthe SweetheartCity.

Say“IDO”forthefirsttimeoragainandagainat TheLovelandValentine’sDayandVowRenewal Ceremony!

TheLovelandValentine’sDayGroupWeddingis broughttoyoubyMBDMarketing&Eventsandis supportedbyTheColoradoEagles,VisitLoveland andtheLovelandChamber.

InvestinginaSolid FuturefortheHolidays

BYLINDATHORSENBONDforNorthernColoradoLife

KevinDunnigan,CFP®,and theteamathisInvestment CenterAdvisorGroupcan helpyouplanforyourloved onesfinancialfuture.(Cour tesyKevinDunnigan)

Oneofthehottest kids’giftsforthe2022 holidaysisthemagical mistingcrystalball. Soyoucansummonamagicalcreaturefromthemist. Becausethat’sthekindoffuturekidswant--youknow,a magicalone.

Butifyoureallyhad acrystalball,you’d probablysaythetrue magicforyourchildren andgrandchildren’s futurecouldbesomethingmoresubstantial thanmist.

Ourexpertisaperson whopredictsthefuture foraliving.Andapparently,he’snotrelying onacrystalballtodoit.

AccordingtoKevin Dunnigan,CFP® of InvestmentCenterAdvisorGroup,theholidays areanexcellenttimetoinvestinasolidfuture:

“

Whenwecreatecomprehensivefinancialplansfor families,wegettoseepeoplepursuetheirgoals, dreams,successfulretirement,andgivegiftstoloved onesthatcanspanmultiplegenerations.Whilebuyingmaterialgiftscanbemeaningful,theycanalsobe fleetingorshort-lived.Givingthegiftofaninvestment intosomeone’sfinancialfuturecanbelife-changingand wehavetheprivilegeofseeingthathappeneveryday.

Wewillalwaystellyouthatthebesttimetoinvest isnow.Adelayofevenafewyearscansignificantly impacttheamountyouaccumulate.Thesimplereality isthatifyouinvestandsavenothing,youwillhave nothing.Weencouragepeopletobegininvestingwhat-

everamounttheycanbudgettoafford withtheaimto saveandinvest25% oftheirincome.Savingevenslightly moreeachmonthcanmakeabigdif ferenceintheamountofmoneyyou haveinthefuture.

Thebestwaytoinvestistosetup monthlysystematicinvestmentsin quality,diversifiedproductsandto neverstop.Thisisevenmoretruedur ingdownmarkets likewehavebeen experiencingrecentlybecauseifyou areinvestingcorrectly,youhavethe opportunitytobuyvaluableinvest mentsatlowerprices.

Moneycanbeveryemotionalfor people,butweshouldbemorefearful ofretiringpoorthanhavinginvest mentsfluctuateinvalue.Ifwefailto plan,weplantofail.

Aboutcollegefundsspecifically,Dun nigansaid, “Ifyourlovedoneshave highereducationgoals,collegefunds areauniqueinvestmenttoolthatcan beanimpactfulgifttohelppursue thosedreams.Thesearea longer-term

investmentswhichmeansthatitis possibletotakeonmoreriskwithin thisparticularfundforapotential greaterreturn.Ifinvestedcorrectly, college fundsareabletogrowtax-free andbewithdrawntax-free,whichcan yieldhugesavingstowardseducation goals.”

InvestmentCenterAdvisor Group,KevinDunnigan 290E.25thSt.,Ste.100 Loveland, 970.622.2366 helpwithmyinvestments.com

KevinDunnigan,CFP®,helpspeople establishafinancialplan.(CourtesyKevin Dunnigan)

Top5TipsforaHappy HostingExperience thisholidayseason

kitchennecessitiesarerun ninglow-thenyou’llbeready forallkindsoftastyrecipes.

2.DON’T UNDERESTIMATE YOURPREPTIME

(BPT)-Theholidaysarecomingup,whichmeansyour lifewillbefulloffamily,friendsandmanydelicious meals.Tokeepeverythingrunningalongmerrilythis year,whynottakestepstomakehostinglessstressful, andalotmorejoyful?

Hereare5keytipsandafewmust-havekitchenes sentialsthatcanmakeyourholidayhostingeasierthan ever.

1.STOCKYOURPANTRY

BEFORETHEHOLIDAYS

Evenbeforefinalizingyourholidaymenus,ensuring thatyourpantrystaplesarewellstockedwillprevent last-minutepanicrunstothestoreforthingslikeflour, salt,cookingoilandchocolate,lotsofchocolate.Take inventoryofyourcupboardstoseeifanyofthose

Ifyourrecipesaysadish takes45minutestoprepare andcook,buildinanextra 30minuteswhenscheduling yourmealpreptimebefore guestsarrive.Evenbetter, preporcooksomeitems(or components)ahead,sothey’re pre-choppedorreadytotake fromthefridgeandreheat.

Everythingalwaystakeslongerthanexpected,soyou’ll relievealotofstressifyouknowyou’llhavetimetodo itwell.Thenyoucanrelax,putonyourfavoritemusic, gatheryouringredientsandgetreadytomakeholiday magic.

3.LETMANYHANDS

MAKELIGHTWORK

Holidaycookingandbakingmemorieswithfriendsand relativesmaybesomeofthebestmemoriesfromyour ownchildhood,sogoaheadandletyourfamilyand friendshelpoutwithsomeofyourmealpreparation, cookingandtablesetting.Evenlittlehandscandoafew simpletaskstohelp,andthemorethemerrier!

4.USETHERIGHTTOOLS

FORTHEJOB

Cookingandbakingaresomucheasier(andmuch morefun)ifyouhavethebesttoolspossibleforthejob. Herearesomekitchenmust-havesthatcanmakeyour holidayhostingseemeffortless:

GoodCookQuick-BasteRoastingPan-You’llbeready foranymajorholidaygatheringwiththis13x17panthat comeswithalockingrack.It’slargeenoughforallyour favoritechicken,beefandporkroasts,anditcaneven handlea25-poundturkey.Constructedwithauniquevshapethatallowsforthecollectingofjuicesandliquids, youcansafelybasteinhalfthetimeandleavetheoven dooropenforashortertimetokeepcookingtempera tureconsistent.Madefromheavy-dutysteel,ithasa durablenonstickcoatingthatissafeformetalutensils.

GoodCookMeatTenderizer-Worriedaboutserving toughmeat?Worrynomore.Thisdouble-sidedmal letfeaturesatexturedsideforbreakingupfibersin toughermeatandasmoothsideforflatteningcutlets. It’salsotheultimatetooltoensurethatyourseasonings andtoppingsareperfectlypulverized,asit’ssuitable forcrushingnuts,smashinggarlic,ormincingginger spicesthatwilladdadeliciousdashofflavortoyour recipes.Plus,withthesingle-piece,castaluminumcon struction,itisidealforsanitaryuseandcleanup.

GoodCookDigitalThermometer-Makesureallyour foodisproperlycookedwithanaccuratethermom eterthathasaneasy-to-readdigitaldisplaysoyoucan readthetemperaturequickly.Itsstainlessprobehasa protectivesleevewitharotatingtemperatureguidefor quickreference.Assimpletocleanasitistouse,when yourworkisdone,youcaneasilysanitize,foldand

storeawayuntilnexttime.

GoodCookAirPerfectNonstickBakingSheet-Be readyforcookieswapsorspontaneousbakingmo mentswiththeseinsulatedcookiesheetsthatprovide evenbakingandmoistercookies.Availableintwo sizes,you’llhaveyourpickofperfectingasmallor largerbatch.Evenbetter,thesheetsaredesignedto keepcookiesfromburningonthebottom,delivering goldenbrownresultseverytime-andwiththeslide-off surfaceandsecureindentedhandle,cookiesareeasier thanevertoremove.Asanaddedbonus,thenonstick surfacemakesitasnaptoclean.

5.CLEANASYOUGO

Ifyoucandosomeofthecleanupduringtheprepara tionandcookingprocess,you’llnotonlymaximizeyour prepsurface,butyou’llalsomakeitaloteasiertofinish thecleaningafterthefestivitieshavewounddownfor theday.

There’snothingmoresatisfyingthancollaboratingwith lovedonestoprepareacelebration,sotaketimeto havefunandsavorthemoment.Tasteyourownfood, spendtimewiththepeopleyoucareaboutandenjoy thewonderfulholidayfeelingyou’vehelpedtocreate.

Betweenthebesttools,helpfromfamilyandfriends, plusyourupbeat,can-doattitude,yourholidaysthis yearcanbemorefun,festiveandflavorfulthanever. Findmoreproductstohelpyourholidaysbemerryat GoodCook.com.

WHERETOGO andwhattodo

Communityeventsareslowlyreturning,albeitabitdifferently,andwhatbettertimeto takeadvantageofthefuneventswe’vemissedthantheholidayseason?Ifyoumissedit lastyear,youmayhavearenewedopportunitytocatchyourfavoriteshowthisyear.

LOVELAND

DANCEACADEMY PRESENTS

THENUTCRACKER

December3,7p.m.; December5,2p.m. RobertaPriceAuditorium, ThompsonValleyHigh School,1669EagleDr., Loveland

LovelandDanceAcademyperformsTheNutcracker. (JillStrait/MonicaThomas/LovelandDanceAcademy)

IRVINGBERLIN’SWHITECHRISTMAS

NowthroughJanuary8,2023

4747MarketplaceDr.,Johnstown BoxOffice:(970)744-3747

CandlelightDinnerTheaterisproudtopresentafavorite amongmusicaltheaterandholidayloversalike,Irving Berlin’sWhiteChristmas.

CandlelightoffersBroadwaymusicalsshowcasingthe bestofregionaltalentaccentedwithanelegantdining experience.

Eveningshows:arriveat6p.m.fordinner,7p.m.for showonly;showbeginsat7:30p.m.Matineeshows: Arriveat12p.m.forlunch,1p.m.forshowonly;show beginsat1:30p.m. (coloradocandlelight.com)

(dancedreamstudios.com)

TheNutcrackerballet, producedbyLovelandDance Academyfeaturesdancers fromboththeLovelandand Greeleystudios.Thisannual holidayproductionisafavorite ofthedancersaswellasthe community.

FIRSTANNUALBERTHOUD

WINTERCRAFTSHOW

December3,9a.m.–3p.m. BerthoudRecreationCenter,1000BerthoudPkwy, Berthoud

Atthisone-dayeventfindyourspecialone-of-a-kindgift orholidaydecorationattheBerthoudRecreationCenter WinterCraftFest.Featuringhandmadeitemsfromover 30ColoradoartisansbothlocalandfromalongtheFront Range.

(berthoud.org/departments/recreation/winter-craft-show)

FORTCOLLINS

HOLIDAYGIFTFESTIVAL

December4,11a.m.–5p.m.

NorthsideAztlanCommunityCenter 112E.WillowSt.,FortCollins

TheFortCollinsHolidayGiftFestivalisacurated marketplacefeaturinganenormousarrayoffinearts, handmadecrafts,delectablefood,homedécor,and uniqueholidaygifts.Shopperswillfindavastarrayof highqualitygiftsthatarelocallymade.Thisfunand uniqueshoppingexperiencecanbeenjoyedbythe wholefamily.Admissionisfreeandthereisaholiday concertstartingatnoon. (coloradoevents.org/fortcollins-holiday-gift-festival)

JOHNMELLENCAMPPAINTING ANDASSEMBLAGESOPENING RECEPTION

December9,6-8p.m.

LovelandMuseum/Gallery,503NLincolnAve. Loveland

Anaccomplishedpainter,collector,andactivist,Mel lencampexposesunsettlingbutbeautifultruthswith anattitudeofdefianceandnarrativesensibilitythat echoestheearnestvoiceoftheAmericanheartland.In additiontorecentpaintings,thisexhibitionincludesa selectionofassemblages,addingyetanotherdimen siontoauniquebodyofwork.(thelovelandmuseum. org/john-mellencamp-painting-and-assemblages/)

CANYONCONCERTBALLET’S THENUTCRACKER

December9,7p.m.;December10,2and7p.m.; December11,11a.m.and4p.m.; TheLincolnCenter,417W.MagnoliaSt. FortCollins

CCB’streasuredproductionofTheNutcracker includes125dancers,250beautifulcostumes,special effects,fantasticlighting,andsetsandfeaturesthe FortCollinsSymphonyOrchestra.Newthisyear-Nut crackerVIP:BetransportedtotheLandoftheSweets whereyou’llmeetcastmembersinourVIPlounge, snackonholidaytreats,andseethestagebeing preparedfortheshowwhilehearingthehistoryofthe Nutcracker. (https://lctix.com/showinfo.php?id=1141)

GARDENOFLIGHTS

December9-24,5-8p.m.;GardensonSpring Creek,2145CentreAve.,FortCollins

Exploreawhimsicalhalf-mileloopfilledwithglowing grapevines,toweringflowerbeds,dancingcolorblos soms,andotherimaginativedisplaysmadeofhundreds ofthousandsofglitteringlights!Thisyear,lookoutfor afunnewphotoopinspiredbyourButterflyHouseand otherexcitingadditionstotheilluminatedgardens.

Whileyoustrollthroughatwinklingwinterwonderland, warmupwithhotcocoaandotherholidayofferingsavail ableforpurchaseatafullbar.Don’tmissSanta,nightly throughDecember23,plusglow-in-the-darkcircus performers,aSugarPlumFurrydogtroupeandother festiveliveentertainmentonselectnights.Staytuned forthisyear’sfullentertainmentschedule. (fcgov.com/ gardens)

COLORADODANCETHEATRE

PRESENTSTHENUTCRACKER

December9-10,7:30p.m.,December11,2p.m. MonfortConcertHall,70110thAve.,Greeley ColoradoDanceTheatre’sproductionofTchaikovsky’s iconicballetTheNutcrackerfeaturesdancersgathered frommanyNorthernColoradodancestudios,CDT’sown orchestradirectedbyRussellGuyver,andtheGreeley Children’sChorale;ColoradoDanceTheatreisproudto presentthisendearingstory. (coloradodancetheatre.org)

SWEATYSWEATER5K&UGLY SWEATERCONTEST

December10;5K9a.m.,Kid’s1-mile10a.m.; FoothillsShoppingCenter,215E.FoothillsPkwy., FortCollins

DonyourmosthideousUGLYsweaterfortheSweaty SweaterRace.Thisisaneventforeveryone,whetheryou arewalkingwithfriends,runningforanawardoreven prancingtowardsthefinishlineforbeerandhotchoco late. Proceedsbenefit:Adopt-A-Family. (frontrangefreeze.com/sweaty-sweater-race)

SANTACATCH5K&10K

December10;5K9a.m.,Kid’s1-mile10a.m.; FoothillsShoppingCenter 215E.FoothillsPkwy.,FortCollins DonyourmosthideousUGLYsweaterfortheSweaty SweaterRace.Thisisaneventforeveryone,whetheryou arewalkingwithfriends,runningforanawardoreven prancingtowardsthefinishlineforbeerandhotchoco late. Proceedsbenefit:Adopt-A-Family. (frontrangefreeze.com/sweaty-sweater-race)

TOYDROP5K,10K,&15K Dec.10,9-11a.m;BerthoudBrewing 1480CascadeAve.,Unit201,Berthoud SweetheartCityRacing,inpartnershipwithRealitiesfor Children,bringsbackTheToyDrop5K,10K,and15K. Theracewilltakearunthroughcityroadsandbike paths,anddonatetoystoagreatcause!RealitiesforChil drenserveskidsinLarimerCountywhohavesuffered abuse,neglect,orareotherwiseat-risk.Don’tforgetto bringaNEW,unwrappedtoytothestartline—youwill beableto“drop”themasyoutakeoffrunning! (sweet heartcityracing.com/events/toy-drop-5k-and-10k)

HAZELMILLERBAND

December15,7:30-9:30p.m.;RialtoTheater Center,228E4thSt.,,Loveland

Formorethanadecade,HazelMillerandherbandhave presentedtheirholidayshowbuiltfromtheholiday musicwealllove.Traditionalreligiouscarols,secular seasonalfavorites,andcurrentholidayhitsallappearin thisexcitingandemotionalshow. (rialtotheatercenter.org/rialto-presents/)

THEHOTCHOCOLATECOLLECTIVE

December16,7:30p.m.;MonfortConcertHall 70110thAve.,Greeley

ComesnuggleupwiththeColoradoDanceCollective andfriendsastheycelebratethisfestiveseason!Joinus forallstylesofdance,silentauctionitemsand,ofcourse, hotchocolate! (coloradodancecollective.com)

JUSTINTIMEHOLIDAYCRAFTFAIR

December17,9a.m.–6p.m. GreeleyMall2050GreeleyMallGreeley, Over100students,artisansandcraftersoffertheir unique,handmadeandhandcuratedgifts“justintime” fortheholidays. (hunthalloween.com/event/just-in-timeholiday-craft-fair-eid4a7boglsh4)

HOLIDAYMAGIC

December17,4p.m.;OurSavior’sLutheran Church,180021stAve.,Greeley

December18,4p.m.;MountainViewPresbyterian Church,Loveland

RingintheholidayswithBellsoftheRockiesat theirannualholidayconcert.Festivemusiccheers theaudienceastheycelebratetheseasontogether. (bellsoftherockies.org)

TIMEFORMOZART

January27,7:30p.m.;pre-concertlecture7p.m.; MountainViewHighSchoolAuditorium,3500 MountainLionDr.,Loveland

TheLovelandOrchestraperformsMozart’sOvertureto DonGiovanni,SymphonyNo.40,OverturetoMarriage ofFigaro,andSymphonyNo.41.(lovelandorchestra.org)