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18 HOURS OF FRUITA 11 STYLING WESTERN HATS 30 RAFTING THE SAN JUAN RIVER 46 OPEN ROADS 70 SPRING 2024 / ISSUE 27
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• Homes starting at 1800 square foot • 3-car garage minimum / RV garages allowed • Custom design available • RV parking and storage on site • Stucco exteriors with optional stone accents • Architectural 30-year shingles • Nature’s Composite fencing S • Pressurized irrigation to lot S • Parks & walking paths • LOT SALE from $170,000+ Bring your builder
ON-SITE OFFICE LOCATED AT 848 Fire Quartz Lane Grand Junction, CO 81506 (North, off H Road & 26 1/2 Road)
emeraldridgegj.com CALL JANET TO SET AN APPOINTMENT
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A = Available for Purchase (under construction) S UNMARKED LOTS: CALL FOR AVAILABILITY
S = Sold U = Under Contract L = Vacant Lot Available
We look forward to working with you to design and build your new home in Emerald Ridge! For more information, contact New Horizons Development, Inc.
JANET ELLIOTT GRI, CRS, ABR Broker/Owner
REALTOR®, ABR, CRS, GRI 970-250-0765 N1323D@msn.com Be sure to check out our website: emeraldridgegj.com
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444 Main Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501 970-245-1617 www.mesajewelers.com Full Service Jeweler • Custom Design • Open 7-Days a Week Now in store - Our new John Atencio Collection
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CO N T what’s up in the west
lifestyle
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VOICES OF WESTERN COLORADO Locals Weigh in on Momentum
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COMMUNITY STYLE A Local’s Guide to Styling Western Hats
WHAT’S UP IN THE WEST •1 8 Hours of Fruita •C ruise Control Kitchen & Cellar Opens in Downtown Grand Junction •S kyhook Solar Approved for Rural Jump Start Program •H appy Little Rescue
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ART Topher Straus: Faithful Strokes
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MUSIC Grand Junction Symphony Foundation
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WEDDING VENDOR GUIDE
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BLOSSOM Converted to Compost
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FOOD Josh Niernberg: The New West Momentum
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BLOSSOM “Flowers Make People Happy”
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FOOD CSA: Spring Bounty in Western Colorado
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HOME + GARDEN Spring Clean the Sustainable Way
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WELLNESS + FITNESS Holistic Trade Show is Back
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DRINK Chamomile Paloma
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EAT Spring Recipes
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EAT Pollinator Chocolate
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BOOK + BEVERAGE •T he Two Hearts Inside Us By Jill Burkey •L ast Word Cocktail
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INSTAGRAM + PODCAST PICKS
E N TS adventure
features + events
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ADVENTURE Rafting the San Juan River in Utah
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OPEN ROADS Outdoors For All
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SPOKE Gear for the Season
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SPOKE Gear Profile: Wattbike
COLE SJOHOLM A Solo Journey to 7 Continents as a LGBTQ+ Traveler
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SPOKE Move It or Lose It
LOWELL SCHOOL RENEWAL Grand Junction’s Historic Building is Given New Life
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GRAND OUTDOORS Accesss Fund
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EVENTS Spring 2024
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TAKE A HIKE The Wedge: Utah’s Little Grand Canyon
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WHO WE ARE Kelly Kawachi
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FAMILY + COMMUNITY Premier League Football: Fans, Friends + Fun
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STAY + PLAY Iron Mountain Hot Springs
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GETAWAY Deadwood, SD: Walk Through the Past
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER
MOMENTUM Another spring season is here and we’re present to this extra special time of year in Western Colorado. As temperatures rise the earth starts to come alive, and we can’t help but feel the potent momentum of life pulsing through gardens and vineyards, rivers and trails, work and play. We celebrate as annual events come back on our calendars, new businesses open their doors and everything starts to bloom. On page 39, local restaurateur Josh Niernberg writes on “The New West Momentum,” reflecting on booms and busts, past learnings and future plans, all in the spirit of continuing to keep moving forward. “I wholeheartedly believe that we have such a special place and time here in the Grand Valley which provides for us the room to create spaces which can help define our communities,” he writes. Every seed planted toward positive growth of Western Colorado is a part of this important momentum. Dining at local restaurants, traveling to neighboring communities, supporting independent and regional media, spending money where it matters — it all helps keep our wheels moving in the right direction. As we embrace the inspiring energy of spring, let us remember the collective force we carry in shaping the future of Western Colorado. Let this season be a reminder of our potential to foster growth, to celebrate every milestone and to propel our communities forward. Kim Fuller with Bobby L’Heureux Publishers of Spoke+Blossom Founders of Jaunt Media Collective
Instagram @spokeandblossom
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Keep in touch with us between issues! Check out our website, spokeandblossom.com, for updates and events, and follow us on social media. Scan this QR code with your smart phone to be taken directly to our website.
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This magazine is shareable and recyclable. Please don’t throw it in the trash.
Publisher Jaunt Media Collective Editor-In-Chief Kim Fuller Managing Editor Lexi Reich Assistant Editor Kristen Grace Art Director Kitty Nicholason Community Engagement Laura Mills + Chloe Wasserstrom Partnerships Bobby L’Heureux Contributors Julie Bielenberg Lisa Blake Elaine Casap Katie Coakley Kim Fuller Sandy Ferguson Fuller Kristen Grace Lucie Hanes Jayme Henderson Lindsay Knecht Bobby L’Heureux Madison Leigh Abie Livesay Kristen Lummis Cat Mayer Chloe Mayer
Maureen McGuire Laura Mils Kitty Nicholason Josh Niernberg Haley Nord Lexi Reich Jennifer Richardson Ian V. Santiago Joni Schrantz Topher Straus Sharon Sullivan Chloe Wasserstrom Melanie Wiseman Emma Wood Irene Yee
Cover Photograph 18 Hours of Fruita by Madison Leigh Creative
Join the Spoke+Blossom Community facebook.com/ spokeandblossom
Founder Robin Brown
Spoke+Blossom Magazine Jaunt Media Collective 2077 N. Frontage Road / D Vail, CO 81657 For advertising, contact ads@spokeandblossom.com 815.414.9642 Get in touch! We would love to hear from you. Please send your comments to letters@spokeandblossom.com. Copyright © 2024 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written permission. Printed in Colorado.
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contributors
SHARON SULLIVAN Sharon is a Grand Junction-based freelance writer and editor. She enjoys finding and telling stories about interesting people and events. When she’s not working, you might find her hiking Western Colorado’s public lands or perhaps backpacking in Grand Canyon.
LAURA MILLS JULIE BIELENBERG
Laura is currently the leader of community engagement for Jaunt Media Collective and finds immense joy in her role. She manages newsletters, affiliate marketing + social media for all of Jaunt’s publications! Follow her adventures @l.millsy.
Julie is a Colorado writer producing over 75 pieces a year for outlets such as AAA, Rachel Ray in Season, Cayman Airways, Caribbean Journal, Cowboys & Indians, USA Today and Vail Daily. She has been the state’s #1 agritourist for 10 years and is always in search of field, farm, forest and forage. She has three children, a pandemic puppy and an avid outdoors husband.
KRISTEN GRACE
Kristen writes about all things food, wellness and culture, and she is also digital editor over Covered Bridge, Spoke+Blossom, YOGA + Life and Well magazines. When she’s not devoting her time to writing stories and to the magazines, Kristen enjoys being outside and finding the best picnic spots.
KATIE COAKLEY Katie Coakley is a freelance writer living in Gypsum, Colorado. Her work has appeared in 5280.com, Colorado Expression, Hemispheres, Outside and others.
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CHLOE MAYER Chloe is a high school student from Grand Junction, Colorado. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her hiking the mountains in Ouray or making a large bowl of ramen. She hopes to become a professional writer one day, and she loves the color pink.
Located at the base of Mt. Garfield, The Blue Beryl Winery serves traditional dry wines — estate grown and made — with a local Palisade twist. Enjoy the wine and the view.
3587 G 7/10 Rd Palisade, CO 81526 970.712.0679 theblueberylwinery.com
I T ’ S
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