Spoke+Blossom Magazine | Winter 2020-21 | Issue #14 by Spoke+Blossom Magazine

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POP SOME COLORADO BUBBLES 16 BEAT THE WINTER BLUES 38 TWO AMIGOS ON ICE 46 GRAND MESA STAYCATION 58 WINTER 2020-21 / ISSUE 14

Y O U I N V E S T I N A L L T H E R I G H T E Q U I P M E N T.

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CO N T lifestyle

what’s up in the west

VOICES OF WESTERN COLORADO Locals Weigh in on Resilience

WHAT’S UP IN THE WEST Quick Guide to Western Colorado Ski Resorts in the Age of Social Distancing

WHAT’S UP IN THE WEST Timberline Bank Rolls Out New Building

BLOSSOM Resilence for Your Green Thumb: How to Engage with Nature in the Colder Months

26 22

BOOK + BEVERAGE Dwell, Gather, Be by Alexandra Gove Cimarron Coffee Roasters

OUR FAVORITE INSTAGRAMS

STYLE Shop Local + Affordable: Wild Heart in Edwards

ART Steamboat Art Museum: Oberg, Smith, Whitcomb, Young

MAKER Baklava by Linda

MUSIC Erth Studios

DRINK The Rum Reviver

DRINK Pop Some Colorado Bubbles: Ring in the Holidays with Sparkling Wine from Sauvage Spectrum

FOOD Q+A with Josh Niernberg: The Future of Regional Cuisine in a Pandemic Winter

EAT Recipes from Readers: Peppernuts (Pfeffernüsse)

FOOD A Bite of Boulder: Cookbook Serves Local Restaurants

EAT New Market Blooms in Mesa

WELLNESS + FITNESS Beat the Winter Blues

E N TS adventure

features + events

68 62

S+B SPECIAL SECTION Winter Gift Guide

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORES Indie Book Shops are Rich Cultural Hubs Throughout Western Colorado

SPOKE Gear Profile: Kora Yak Wool Activewear

PARCOUR ON THE WESTERN SLOPE Crested Butte’s Adaptive Sports Center

SPOKE Athlete Profile: Jesse Selwyn

DRIVEN TO DUTY First Responders Face Additional Risks During Pandemic

GRAND OUTDOORS Earn Your Powder Turns at Bluebird Backcountry

RESOLVING TO START ANEW How to Bounce Back After a Difficult Year

TAKE A HIKE Serpents Trail

EVENTS Winter 2020-21

FAMILY EUREKA! Environmental Institute

WHO WE ARE Q+A with Gabi Reitz and Laura Meinzen, Palisade High School Equity Council

STAY + PLAY A Winter Staycation on the Grand Mesa

GETAWAY Garden of the Gods

SPOKE Gear for the Season

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

RESILIENCE We may be able to find some silver linings when we reflect back on 2020, but overall it has kind of felt like a cluster of confusion and disorder. This was a year of extremes — ups and downs and rights and lefts, fear and hope, struggle and resilience. Join me now to flip this magazine back to look at the front cover, a stunning photograph by Travis Anderson of Jesse Selwyn. I can’t think of a better time to adapt in the face of adversity than hanging from a sheet of ice; well actually, it’s been equally impressive to see how the Spoke+Blossom community of readers and businesses have shown so much resilience while life as they have known it seems to be dangling by a thread, ready to release them for a hard fall at any moment. Any definition of resilience alludes to what we all needed to do this year: to recover quickly from difficulties, or snap back after being bent, stretched or pressed. We know now more than ever that we need to adapt, shift, learn and grow every day, even when we’re just hanging on. As S+B assistant editor and contributing writer Lauren Farrauto wrote in her feature, “Resolving to Start Anew,” on page 76, “… embarking on your own journey is the best way to figure out what works for you personally. So, take a breath, make a plan and have a great new year.” Now is not the time to stall or fall, now is the time to keep climbing. Relish in the moments you do have with friends, family and nature this season. Let in the light, even during the darkest days, and create a nice cozy space to take in the pages of this Spoke+Blossom. Learn how to embrace “hygge,” the art of being comfortable and content, in our Book + Beverage spread this issue, and on page 38, Lexi Reich reminds us how to stay positive, productive and active this winter. As usual, we’ve brought you information and inspiration from across western Colorado and beyond. Join us in celebrating the grace and strength of you, your family, your adventure buddies and your neighbors, and together, let’s stay resilient.

Publisher + Co-Owner

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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.

Editor-In-Chief Kim Fuller Managing Editor Lexi Reich Assistant Editor Lauren Farrauto Art Director Kitty Nicholason Staff Photographer Cat Mayer Advertising Bobby L’Heureux Interns Naomi Allen Kaitlin Emig Contributors Naomi Allen Travis Anderson Matt Brooks Lauren Farrauto Steve Grisier Jayme Henderson Justin Jolley Nick Junker Ella Kindall Kristen Lummis Shaina Maytum Miss Moxie Photography Lexi Reich Carrington Schaeffer Jennifer Seal Sharon Sullivan Dan Tille Melanie Wiseman

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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 © 2020 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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40 LOCATIONS IN COLORADO

INDEPENDENCE • COMMUNITIES • COMPASSION • INTEGRITY • LOYALTY

contributors

TRAVIS ANDERSON Travis is an optometrist by trade and an outdoor adventurer by heart. He enjoys climbing, mountain biking with his red heeler, Olivia, photography and spending time with his four unruly nephews. He currently resides in Grand Junction, Colorado, but will always be a Wyoming boy through and through.

ELLA KINDALL Ella is a sophomore at Palisade High School and is headed towards the Diploma Program there. She loves to bake and ski and enjoys playing viola in her free time.

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 — the place that brought her out West.

JUSTIN JOLLEY Justin is a full-time student at Colorado Mesa University and a part-time photographer for his own small business in the Grand Valley. Justin is working towards a business degree and hopes to pursue a career in fashion photography in the future. Justin is passionate about the arts, coffee and skateboarding.

CARRINGTON SCHAEFFER Carrington is a freelance writer based in Grand Junction. She also owns and operates Apostrophe Life Coaching and co-owns Hoptocopter Films at which she is the copywriter, editor and resident voiceover artist.

SHAINA MAYTUM Shaina is a Colorado native who enjoys nothing more than eating a giant slice of pizza after a long day of adventuring. She strives — through writing, education and advocacy — to make sure future generations of humans and animals will be able to enjoy Colorado’s outdoors for years to come.

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WESTERN COLORADO

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voices of western colorado

RESILIENCE We Asked These Western Slope Locals to Weigh in on This Topic. Compiled by Lexi Reich

PAT JACQUES

CHRISTOPHER BLACKBURN

TINA OOLEY

Retired pro motocross racer Pat uses her 50-plus years of experience riding and coaching off-road motorcycles to empower women.

Christopher is the founder of TMS Solutions, a brand that helps treat depression with TMS therapy.

Tina lives in Fruita. She is the founder of EveryPedal MTB and the Mesa County program manager for The Cycle Effect.

This wonderful life doesn’t hand

I have really come to appreciate

us a road map. Every day we

over the past several years the

have to shift to adapt to adversity,

value of resilience in our daily

drama and threats. Discovering

lives and in our communities.

the ability to dissolve stress in

Building our capacity to recover

the situations we can’t control

from hardships and boldly

helps us navigate each day

adapt to our ever-changing

without additional, unnecessary

circumstances is such a great

worry

way to cultivate self-confidence.

Resilience goes hand-in-hand with tenacity, grit and confidence. I developed resilience early as a young girl racing motocross against

men.

All

athletes

experience failure and success. As I developed confidence in myself, I quit trying to “ride like a guy.” Embracing my unique abilities, I rode with poise and finesse, experiencing many successes. Personal,

professional

and

athletic challenges all fired the mettle of my resiliency. Mentors guided me to release limiting beliefs, doubt and comparison. I now stand in the truth of my own brilliance, ability and light. In doing so, we give others permission to stand in their own power.

pressure.

Making

the best of each situation, no

matter how debilitating — it’s

has introduced me to have taught

my choice. Relationships change.

me so much about resilience and

Money comes and goes. Life

grit. Today, as a mountain bike

changes. These lessons, integrity

coach and youth mentor, I am

and

able to practice and share with

de ter minatio n

cr eate

resilience.

others the skills that have helped

me navigate challenges both on

Smiles (or kind words during

these odd pandemic times) bring smiles or kind words in return. So, even on my hard days, a smile sent, a kind word or gesture shared, means one received. Sometimes that’s just what I need to keep moving forward with my head up, my heart strong and my soul intact.

My bicycle and the people it

and off the trail.

what's up in the west

QUICK GUIDE TO WESTERN COLORADO SKI RESORTS IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING Words by Lexi Reich

any questions have surrounded the future

local county restrictions. Rentals and lessons will

of ski resorts in Colorado this winter

need to be reserved online in advance. Food and

season. While some resorts are implementing

beverage services will include online ordering,

reservation systems and parking limits, it’s

grab-and-go and outdoor dining.

clear visitors looking to get some fresh powder

in will still be able to do so despite pandemic

themselves with The National Ski Areas

restrictions.

Association’s motto for the upcoming season:

This past October, The Colorado Department

Ski Well, Be Well. There will be limited capacity

of Public Health and Environment released a

in their main lodge, so they recommend “car

guidance protocol for Colorado ski areas.

picnics” for when you need to warm up and

Monarch Mountain in Salida is aligning

“Ski areas are a vital driver of the Colorado

refuel. They also recommend, if possible, to

economy,” the document says. “During the

avoid historically busy weekends to prevent

COVID-19 pandemic, these areas also present

overcrowding. They added a COVID information

unique challenges for controlling virus

page to their website to provide clear updates

transmission. A successful ski season will require

for visitors.

a strong partnership between ski areas, local

governments, local businesses and the state.”

ensures lift tickets and passes will be covered

Most notably, Colorado officials emphasize

by its Smile Guarantee. The resort emphasizes

the expectation to wear masks, physically

that because they don’t have large crowds, social

distance in outdoor and indoor areas, limit group

distancing measures are present by nature. They

sizes and prepare for symptom screenings prior

are following county and state guidelines for

to each visit. Additionally, it also recommends to

mask and hygiene practices.

purchase lift tickets remotely.

Spoke+Blossom Magazine spoke to a few

access the mountains. All transactions will be

local ski resorts to hear how they’re adapting to

cashless and face coverings will be required at all

the upcoming season.

times, including in lift lines and while on chairlifts

Sunlight Mountain in Glenwood Springs

Vail Resorts is requiring reservations to

“Skiing feels more vital than ever this

and gondolas, where only related parties will be

season, a chance to connect with nature and

seated together. Employees will undergo daily

enjoy time outside with friends and family,”

health screenings. High-touch surfaces and

says Mike Kaplan, president and CEO of Aspen

restrooms will be frequently cleaned, in addition

Skiing Company. Aspen Skiing Company is

to rental equipment between each guest.

providing complimentary passes to all Roaring

Fork Valley teachers and school workers and

2021 ski season early on October 28, 2020. They

select frontline workers at area hospitals. New

are offering only lifts and restrooms. Visitors

safety protocols will be instituted across every

are told to bring their own water, food and

aspect of the business, including new technology

equipment. While they are abiding by local,

that allows for contactless commerce and pick-

state and federal guidelines, they are hopeful

up of lift tickets, in addition to other protocols

their soft opening will allow staff members

listed on their website.

to ease into understanding COVID protocols

Powderhorn Mountain Resort will be

while introducing additional departments

prioritizing passholders and may limit the

and amenities and transitioning into the peak

number of daily lift ticket sales dependent on

season. :

Wolf Creek Ski Area kicked off the 2020-

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

what's up in the west

TIMBERLINE BANK ROLLS OUT NEW BUILDING Words by S+B Staff | Photo courtesy of Timberline Bank

t was a grand fall season for Timberline Bank

day financial center,” according to Sadye Saad,

Grand Junction. The team moved locations

marketing and communications specialist.

from previous operations at 633 24 Road to half

a mile across the street at 649 Market Street,

mascot, Timber, to the building. Timber made

and on October 1 welcomed customers in to

a cute debut at the grand opening celebration,

celebrate their grand opening of a stunning new

and all are welcome to follow his adventures on

headquarters.

Instagram at his handle: @timbers_trails.

Complete with a coffee lounge and rooftop

Timberline Bank also welcomed a new team

“The entire Timberline Bank Team is grateful

gathering space, the new building was designed

for the support of the Grand Valley Community,”

to encompass unassigned workspace and

says Jeff Taets, co-CEO of Timberline Bank. “This

team member collision points. The layout

support has funded our growth, allowed us to

was inspired to facilitate “transforming the

hire and build careers for community members,

banking experience in a full-service, modern-

and allowed us to invest in our community by building our new headquarters.” :

timberlinebank.com 10

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blossom

HOW TO ENGAGE WITH NATURE IN THE COLDER MONTHS

RESILIENCE FOR YOUR GREEN THUMB Words by Lauren Farrauto

n recent years, but during the quarantine

FORCING BULBS

period especially, folks have been flocking

Forcing bulbs refers to tricking a plant into

to their local garden centers in search of a

growing outside its season by mimicking

new hobby and a chance to cultivate their

conditions during which it normally blooms.

green thumb. While the colder months rapidly

Owner of Bookscliff Gardens, Stephanie Griggs,

approach, that doesn’t mean you need to give

loves this trick.

up a newfound love of plants and gardening. On

the contrary, there are plenty of ways to sustain

forced Amaryllis last winter, and they got so tall

your new hobby. Here are some great tips from

they fell over.”

the team at Bookcliff Gardens in Grand Junction

on how to garden year-round.

shallow pot that’s only a couple inches wider

“It’s really a fun winter project!” she says. “I

To force Amaryllis, place the bulbs in a

than the bulb itself; Amaryllis likes to be a little

your homecooked dishes are always laced with

pot-bound, according to Griggs. Water it well and

the best-smelling herbs. Alternatively, Mona

keep the bulb in a warm place — the warmer

Dyer, another employee at Bookcliff Gardens,

the better. Once the bulb starts to flower, move

says that winter is when she really concentrates

the pot to a cooler location, which will help

on caring for her indoor houseplants.

the flowers last longer. The first stalk should

produce four or five blooms that live for three

up your houseplants,” she says.

to four weeks. Once the blooms begin to fade, cut

the stalk down near the base, which will leave

make sure you haven’t brought any bugs inside.

room for a new stalk and flowers if your bulb

If you do find any insects on indoor plants, it is

is big enough. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t

always best to turn to experts to help diagnose.

see blooms immediately; it can take anywhere

Houseplants can be sensitive, so it’s important

from four to 10 weeks for Amaryllis to produce

to get the right products to deal with them.

flowers.

Dyer adds, “It’s important to always use clean

“It’s a great time to divide, repot and clean If you’re moving plants from the outside in,

tools, clean pots and fresh soil to prevent insect

GREENHOUSES

infestation.”

Dennis Hill, former owner turned employee of start a greenhouse in the winter to really think

DAYDREAMING ABOUT FUTURE PROJECTS

it through.

“I would say the winter is a great time to recount

“Consider what you want to grow, how hot

your successes from the past season and plan

you’re going to have to heat the greenhouse, how

anew for the upcoming season,” says Griggs.

much sun your plants of choice will need; it can

“Gardeners can take time to plan, design and

get to be a very expensive project,” he says.

dream.”

Bookcliff Gardens, cautions those who want to

Many people like to grow tomatoes in

Those itching for next season to roll around

greenhouses, but they’ll require artificial light

can gather seed catalogs, plot out garden beds,

for about two to four hours, need to be kept

choose which vegetable or flowers to plant — the

heated 70 to 80 degrees and need a pollinator.

list goes on.

In order to cut costs and effort, Hill suggests

going for cooler temperature vegetables, like

check in with local nurseries to see what seeds

lettuce, spinach and chard. They only need to be

are available and what one might need to order

kept around 65 to 70 degrees and don’t require

to supplement,” Griggs explains.

additional sunlight on most days. Tropical house

plants like orchids or bonsai could also be grown

the best crops from their garden center while

in greenhouses, but they need to be kept quite

they’re available, they can be more intentional,

warm — closer to 85 degrees. Greenhouse kits

leading to a more successful harvest season.

can be purchased online or in some home and

Consider which plants flower when and how

garden centers. Hill recommends buying a kit

long it takes for vegetables to start producing,

with clear plastic sides to allow the maximum

that way you have a continuous supply. This is

amount of sunlight to reach your plants.

also a great time to do inventory on gardening

“When a plan is made, it makes it easier to

When gardeners aren’t rushed to snatch

tools and supplies.

INDOOR HERBS + PLANTS

If you don’t have the backyard space for an

you have to give up your love of plants and

outdoor garden, you may be familiar with

gardening. Spring will be here before you know

growing herbs inside. By adding accessible,

it; but until then, test out one of these side

affordable grow lights, this can be done in winter

projects to satisfy your green thumb. :

Just because snow is falling doesn’t mean

as well. Plenty of light and water will ensure

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

COLORADO PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT Vino Salida Vermouth Rosso won a double gold medal in the 2019 Colorado Governor’s Cup Wine Competition.

THE RUM REVIVER 2 ounces aged rum 1/2 ounce sweet vermouth 1/2 ounce ginger liqueur 1/4 ounce chai simple syrup Candied ginger, for garnish

1. I n a mixing glass, combine the rum, sweet vermouth, ginger liqueur and chai simple syrup. 2. A dd ice, stir and strain into a cocktail glass over a large ice cube. 3. G arnish with a skewer of candied ginger pieces. CHAI SIMPLE SYRUP 1. C ombine 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar. 2. O ver low heat, bring to a simmer and add two bags of chai tea. 3. R emove from heat, let cool, strain and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

drink

THE RUM REVIVER Words + Photo by Jayme Henderson

e can all agree that this past year has been

a dramatic one, leaving us collectively

or the fiery ginger kick of a Moscow Mule, this

If you like the rich complexity of a Manhattan

searching for meaningful connections, a little

chai-spiced rum cocktail boasts similar notes and

levity and a heartfelt hug. That’s the angle I took

works well either served up or on the rocks. It’s

when creating this wintry cocktail — I wanted

a cozy, complex winter sipper that incorporates

something cozy and warming, a soul-reviving

two of my favorite Colorado products: Montanya

hug, in cocktail form.

Oro rum and Vino Salida sweet vermouth. :

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

drink

RING IN THE HOLIDAYS WITH SPARKLING WINE FROM SAUVAGE SPECTRUM

POP SOME COLORADO BUBBLES By Kim Fuller | Photo courtesy of Sauvage Spectrum

“The focus is quality,” shares winemaker

Patric Matysiewski, “but we’ve kept Sparklet value-driven, fun, fruit-forward and affordable. This isn’t Champagne — we’re not aging on the lees for two years, and we’re not looking for brioche dough flavors — we want to capture the fruit.”

Sauvage Spectrum’s wines are 100-percent

estate grown and bottled. Wine grower Kaibab Sauvage says the company stays focused on hitting a high quality to price ratio.

“We are trying to elevate what Colorado

wine is,” he shares, “and our whole core lineup is all 20 dollars or less.” The Spoke+Blossom team tried all three variations of Sparklet on our recent visit to the winery, and it’s hard to choose a favorite.

Sparklet Extra Dry is a blend of three

Colorado white grapes. It’s bone dry, fruit forward, smooth and approachable.

Sparklet Rosé is playful and lively, showing

off flavors of pink grapefruit and sweet strawberries. Fermented in stainless steel, every sip strikes the palate with a balance of sweetness and acidity.

Sparklet Off Dry blends two Colorado

white grapes, bringing a little more perfumed aromatics forward, celebrating flavors of

gardenia, honeysuckle and pineapple, along he holidays are the perfect time to raise a

with nectarine and ripe apricot, and splashes of

glass of sparkling wine in celebration of the

lemon and pear on the finish.

season. Sparklet is a delightful and affordable

Colorado sparkling wine born from Sauvage

make sparkling wines affordable,” Sauvage says,

Spectrum, a picturesque vineyard in Palisade.

“and that’s what we did. That’s Sparklet.” :

“When we set out we said that we wanted to

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eat

RECIPES FROM READERS

PEPPERNUTS (PFEFFERNÜSSE) Words + Photo by Ella Kindall

hese wonderful little anise-flavored

children could carry them in their pockets

Christmas cookies will fill anyone with

as they went about their day. This particular

holiday cheer. Originating in Germany, Denmark

recipe came from the Mennonite community of

and the Netherlands, these cookies were made

Germans that settled in the mid-western United

to be small and crunchy so farmers and school

States.

3 sticks (1 ½ cups) butter, room temperature 1 ½ cups white sugar 1 ½ cups brown sugar 3 Tbsp white corn syrup or honey 2 eggs Dash of salt 1 tsp nutmeg 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp cloves 1 tsp Anise extract 5 cups flour ¾ tsp baking powder ¾ tsp baking soda

1. P reheat oven to 350 degrees.

5. U sing a wooden spoon, stir the dry ingredients into the bowl with the butter and sugar mixture. Make sure all the flour is mixed in, and you are left with a light brown dough. 6. F orm the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. 7. T ake the dough out of the fridge and grab a manageable portion to work with. 8. R oll it into a small log that’s a little smaller than the size of a dime. 9. U sing a knife, cut the log into little nuggets. They should be about a centimeter long.

2. C ream the butter and the sugars together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until the mixture has lightened in color and looks fluffy.

10. P lace the dough onto an ungreased baking sheet and bake for about eight minutes. Keep an eye on them, as they will burn quickly due to their size.

3. M ix in the eggs and the syrup and set aside.

11. O nce they’re done, take them out of the oven and let cool on the pan for a few minutes until hard.

4. I n another bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients until incorporated.

12. S crape them off the pan with a spatula and enjoy! :

Creating a communal space where local, whole, seasonal ingredients are used to craft good food that harmonizes with planet & community.

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eat

NEW MARKET BLOOMS IN MESA Words by Carrington Schaeffer | Photos by Steve Grisier

f you’ve ever spent a day hiking, camping or

store boasts an impressive variety of year-

skiing on the Grand Mesa, chances are you’ve

round produce sourced from local growers such

been to the tiny town of Mesa, gateway to one

as Blaine’s Tomatoes of Palisade, Back Porch

of the most beautiful outdoor playgrounds

Produce of Mesa and GroFresh Farms 365 in

in western Colorado. Nestled in the heart of

Grand Junction.

downtown, Mesa is a prominent two-story

building skirted by an old-time wooden porch.

products” says Grisier. “85 percent of what we

After sitting vacant and silent for years, this

sell is from local growers or artists.”

historical gem got a new lease on life when two

high school friends turned business partners

and a full array of meats including beef, pork,

transformed it from what used to be the old Mesa

lamb and goat from ranchers all located within

General Store into the new Mesa Bloom Market.

10 miles of the store. For hungry customers in

In May 2020, owners Steve Grisier and

search of snacks, Mesa Bloom Market offers

Ty Shields proudly opened their doors after

breakfast burritos, pastries, coffee, espresso

packing Mesa Bloom Market with food and

and Enstrom’s ice cream, and plans on adding

items from over 60 local Western Slope vendors

a grilled cheese/soup bar in the near future.

from Palisade, Delta, Mesa and Collbran. The

In addition, the store curates unique art items

“As much as possible, we locally source our

The store also offers salsas, jams, hot sauces

such as leather holsters, handbags and earrings, as well as a variety of handmade jewelry by local artists.

Grisier and Shields saw the need for a one-

stop shop selling quick, fresh food in Mesa for locals and tourists alike — a niche that was previously not being filled.

“We’re one of the only places to buy grocery

items and fresh produce in town,” says Grisier. “We’re also one of the only places to grab a quick bite to eat or a coffee before and/or after you hit the slopes at Powderhorn Mountain Resort.”

Post COVID, Grisier and Shields plan on

adding local entertainment including live music and outdoor movies. “We want Mesa Bloom Market to complement the town of Mesa,” says

VINEYARD + WINERY

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@stormcellarwine

Grisier. “It’s a cool little town where people wave to everybody and care about each other and its small businesses.”

For Grisier and Shields, buying local

isn’t only good for Mesa Bloom Market; it’s a personal ethos that helps build a strong, thriving community. “It’s about knowing where your food comes from,” says Grisier. “Our store and our customers support the farmer up the road, the rancher next door and the artist across the street. We’re creating a legacy for the next generation that proves you can still eat really good food and make cool things that are all produced right here. We can sustain our own communities, and we’re proud that Mesa Bloom Market is helping do just that.” : Full Spectrum CBD+ Oil Supplements, Salves, Softgels, and Animal Supplements

www.coloradohempsolutions.com

book + beverage

Words + Photo by Lauren Farrauto

THE BOOK

décor shop with an attached café, in the Vail

DWELL, GATHER, BE

Valley. The business duo’s mission is “to help

BY ALEXANDRA GOVE

people discover a more intentional, thoughtful way to experience moments in their lives.”

hy do we enjoy curling up with a book

and a warm beverage in front of a fire

hygge into your daily lifestyle, with beautiful,

on a snowy night? The Danes have an idea:

stylized photos gracing virtually every page to

hygge. The art of finding relaxing, comforting

maximize design inspiration. Whether you’re

moments is a close translation to the Danish

looking for ways to make your home cozier,

word (pronounced hoo-ga.) And, what better

spice up family gatherings or perfect your self-

place is there to experience hygge than in the

care routine, this book will be a great addition to

Dwell, Gather, Be offers various ways to bring

not just your coffee table, but to your life.

THE BEVERAGE

CIMARRON COFFEE ROASTERS

nd what could be more hygge than having a warm cup of coffee while you peruse

the book? Cimarron Coffee Roasters creates a variety of blends for coffee aficionados and casual consumers alike. With a roastery lab in Montrose, a coffee shop/bookstore in Ridgway and an online subscription option, Cimarron Roasters bring their six different blends to people on the Western Slope and beyond. These blends include the Chimney Rock dark roast, the Rwandan Kanzu, the Peruvian El Sauce and, of course, their house espresso — the Courthouse.

This pantry staple can be mixed with cream,

used as a drip coffee or consumed straight up.

comfort of your own home? Home is where the

Regardless, the notes of baker’s cocoa and cherry

heart is, after all, and togetherness is another key

beautifully lace your morning cup (or two).

component of hygge. In the book Dwell, Gather,

The smooth, bittersweet brew pairs perfectly

Be, Alexandra Gove guides readers through

with a sweet treat for your midday snack or to

adding hyggelig touches to their home (dwell),

kickstart your day. Perfect as a gift or to stock up

when they’re entertaining (gather) and when

for yourself, you’ll definitely want to curl your

taking moments for themselves (be).

hands around a warm cup this winter.

Gove first learned of hygge when she

I recommend taking the time to sit down

traveled to Copenhagen for a design trip. Finding

in the morning and savor the syrupy flavor of

the word hygge to attach her feelings of coziness

the Courthouse blend. Or better yet, make a

and comfort to felt like she “had found her life

pot for the whole family and gather together to

calling,” she writes. Eager to spread the hygge

appreciate the art of a superb cup of coffee. After

spirit, she and her husband moved back to the

all, hygge is all about the little things you share

United States and opened Hygge Life, a home

with the ones you love. :

OUR FAVORITE INSTAGRAM PAGES Compiled by Lauren Farrauto + Lexi Riech

GLOW T MILLER

@theconsciouskid

Emphasizing the importance of educating children through a critical race lens, The Conscious Kid presents a variety of #OwnVoices children’s books that can be used for parenting and teaching. The Black-owned business also offers COVID rent relief for families in need. You can donate at the link in their bio.

@nakedbikeworks

Even if you love to ride, you may not be loving on your equipment. Naked Bike Works and Suspension to the rescue! The Grand Junction-based company offers bike maintenance right to your door, so you can get back out there and enjoy nature at its finest.

@hyggelife

The Instagram account of home design dreams. This Vail Valley shop displays enticing photos of their homeware offerings brought to the states from around the world. Take a peek at the fluffy throws and intricate wood-carved side tables for the ultimate décor inspiration.

@mama.and.the.fig

Can’t get the hang of cultivating a sourdough starter? Mama and the Fig has you covered with their made-to-order breads. The home bakery in Evergreen mills their whole wheat flour in-house and donates 11 percent of their proceeds to charity.

@firstbiteboco

“Food is Love,” their bio proclaims. This is certainly true as the First Bite page has highlighted the incredible restaurants of Boulder since 2015 and has a new cookbook out, A Bite of Boulder. Pop over to the account and revel in the mouthwatering dishes that just might send you journeying to Boulder County for some renowned eats.

@rockymounts

Recognizing the need to explore the beautiful outdoors in Colorado, RockyMounts has its headquarters in Grand Junction and provides sturdy, secure racks for all your outdoor gear, from skis to bikes to cargo. These tools enable you to bring your gear with you — wherever your next adventure may be.

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

wildheartcolorado.com

style

WILD HEART | EDWARDS

SHOP LOCAL + AFFORDABLE Words by Lexi Reich | Photos courtesy of Wild Heart

iersten Stoveken’s mother, Beverly, owned and operated a successful women’s clothing

and accessory store for more than 20 years. You could say buying, merchandising and managing retail is in her family’s blood.

Inspired by her love of affordable, high-

quality clothing, Stoveken opened a store of her own in March 2017 called Wild Heart, located in Edwards, Colorado.

“When moving to Vail almost nine years

ago, I immediately noticed the need for cute, yet affordable clothing for locals to shop at without having to drive 30-plus miles out of town,” she says. “I knew at that moment that the Vail Valley

Kiersten Stoveken in a cozy, color block, knit turtleneck sweater and suede rancher hat.

would be the perfect niche for my store.”

Stoveken was born and raised in California,

but she grew up frequently visiting the Vail Valley

and have everyone be able to find something, whether it be a scarf, earrings, blouse or dress.

and made the move in January 2012. Today she lives in Eagle with her husband, daughter and

RETAIL RESILIENCE

golden retriever.

Wild Heart followed other local businesses early-

Initially, Stoveken’s focus was to bring

on in the pandemic by closing their doors for a

trendy clothing and accessories to the Vail Valley,

total of two months for the safety of customers,

but soon she realized how essential it was for

employees and the community.

shopping to also not break the bank.

“At Wild Heart, we receive new shipments

on being more creative on our social media

weekly and have daily fresh new styles at an

platforms and start selling from our Instagram

affordable price point — and we’re serious, it’s

stories,” Stoveken explains. Every day she posts

affordable! We receive a limited quantity of each

new arrivals on Instagram stories, which allows

style and once it’s gone, it’s gone, as inventory

for followers to message the store and order.

is constantly changing so that there’s always

something new and fresh when walking into the

customers engaged through a very uneasy time.

store,” she says.

This model proved successful enough that we

A customer can walk into Wild Heart

still offer this shopping experience today,” she

on a Monday and by that Friday tons of new

says. “In trying times, small businesses must try

merchandise will be out within that same week.

new avenues to stay afloat.”

Her store’s style is meant for all walks of

“The closure gave me the ability to focus

“This kept both local and out of town

Supporting local businesses is more crucial

life. Following her mother’s lineage, Stoveken

than ever before. Stoveken emphasizes the

wanted a grandmother to be able to walk into

importance of shopping local to circulate money

the store with her daughter and granddaughter

and steady jobs in the community. :

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

art

FOUR DIRECTIONS-COMMON PATHS: OBERG, SMITH, WHITCOMB, YOUNG

FRIENDSHIP, INSPIRATION + CRAFT:

A 30-YEAR CONNECTION Words by S+B Staff

Steamboat Art Museum December 4, 2020 – April 10, 2021

Whitcomb, Emerald Pool , 8x10

he Steamboat Art Museum (SAM) is hosting a group show representing four of the West’s most noted contemporary

plein air painters — Ralph Oberg, Skip Whitcomb, Matt Smith and Dan Young. This exhibition will bring together old and new work, including studies and studio paintings, along with photographs of their adventures.

Betse Grassby, executive director of the Steamboat Art Museum,

says this exhibition demonstrates the wonderful synergistic impact of the painters’ 30-year relationships — a story of kinship, adventure and cross-pollination to become their best.

Young, Just Up the Road , 10x12

Oberg, Elk River Falls , 14x11

The Steamboat Art Museum, established in 2006, is located in the heart of downtown Steamboat Springs. Admission is free. steamboatartmuseum.org

Smith, Monsoon Season , 22x28

“Friends for 30 years, these four amigos

treasure their time together, whether it is in the field sharing a ridgeline, critiquing each other’s handiwork at the end of an outing or catching up at a major art show somewhere around the country. All believe their friendship and light sibling-like rivalry has made their work better and spurred them to continue to grow over that 30-plus year period. And, these four gentlemen proved nice guys can finish first — in art, friendship and life,” shares Seth Hopkins, executive director of Booth Western Art Museum in Georgia. :

maker

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH THIS DELECTABLE HOMEMADE PASTRY

BAKLAVA BY LINDA Words by Lexi Reich | Photo by Jennifer Seal

very Christmas, Linda Motz looked forward

much more. Slowly, friends of friends and even

to her family’s annual dessert platter. Her

businesses wanted to get their hands on Motz’s

husband’s large Greek family and their friends

tasty creation.

always gifted trays of treats for the holidays,

through which Motz discovered her favorite

in their mouth and try it. Once they try it, they

pastry: baklava (bakla’va). At the time she didn’t

almost always buy it,” Motz says, mentioning

know how much baklava would affect her life’s

she’s always been a cook by nature. “What I hear

trajectory.

most often is ‘it’s the best baklava I’ve ever had!’”

As the years went on, the dessert trays

“With my baklava, people need to just put it

Crafting baklava is no easy feat. The layers

lessened, and Motz thought to herself, I can

of ooey goodness that compose the rich pastry

make this. She spent countless hours throughout

require patience and experience, according to

the 1990s trying to perfect a baklava recipe

Motz, who has been providing Grand Junction

in her Grand Junction kitchen. Her children

with this treat for almost a decade. She opened

would enjoy batch after batch, eventually her

her business, Baklava by Linda, in 2012 after

friends too, but then it grew into something so

her friends and family convinced her to finally

let others experience its deliciousness. What

helped promote in the local government to allow

started out as word of mouth has grown Baklava

herself and Colorado farmers to produce and

by Linda from a passion project to almost a full-

sell homemade goods. Motz has since moved

time job for Motz.

to a commercial kitchen in Grand Junction —

As a retired high school family and consumer

illustrating her devotion to expand Baklava by

science teacher and fourth generation Grand

Linda. She’s a one-woman team, but she believes

Junction native, Motz combines her passion for

in hard work to produce quality baklava for her

community with her knowledge of food sciences

community.

into making and selling baklava. Her husband’s

Greek lineage led her to baklava, and now that

taste it,” she beams, adding how she loves when

she’s put her own spin on it, she’s beyond excited

people share baklava in a communal setting.

to serve the treat to enhance festivities this

season in Grand Junction and beyond.

Motz makes baklava year-round. Last fall she

“I love the look on people’s faces when they

While the holiday season is her busiest time,

Baklava originates from Greek and Middle

created a pumpkin spice flavored baklava and

Eastern cuisine, but some may argue it extends

is working on winter-specific flavors for this

to Central Asia as well. The pastry is made of

upcoming holiday season.

layers of phyllo, a very thin unleavened dough,

nuts and is held together with honey or syrup.

givers will all love indulging in a tray of Baklava

That’s the traditional core; Motz’s homemade

by Linda. Spoke+Blossom can attest to this — our

recipe is unique in that she’s adapted ingredients

team gobbled down the pastry in record time. :

to her liking over years of trial and error.

Until 2019, Motz was using her home kitchen

to create batches of baklava. She was protected under the Colorado Cottage Food Act, which she

Corporate offices, family festivities and gift

Find Linda Motz at Mesa County craft fairs and markets or online at baklavabylinda.com.

AUTUMN WETLANDS

PASTEL, 11X14

BARBARA CHURCHLEY FINE ART IMPRESSIONISTIC OILS AND PASTELS OF THE WESTERN LANDSCAPE barbarachurchley.com Redstone Art Gallery Redstone, Colorado / redstoneart.com

Ago Gallery Ouray, Colorado / agogallery.com

music

ERTH STUDIOS By Naomi Allen | Photos by Miss Moxie Photography

hether you’re a complete beginner looking to learn a new instrument or a

seasoned musician searching for challenging and engaging teaching, Erth Studios is in tune with it all. Since 2015, Erth Studios has provided unique music education to musicians in the Grand Valley and across the United States. The studio offers a wide range of music education tracks, including string instruments, vocal performance and music technology. In addition to private lessons, Erth Studios hosts the annual Red Clay Roots music camp for middle and high school string musicians. Each track focuses on training in multiple genres and styles and, most importantly, instilling a love of music in every student.

Since its creation, founders Eric Law and

Thea Arandjelovic

Thea Arandjelovic use their extensive training,

Orchestra and the principal cellist of the Mesa

experience and education to teach a wide range

State College orchestra. Arandjelovic was born

of instruments, including cello, piano, viola,

in Venezuela and raised in Slovenia, and studied

voice and many more. Law, a Grand Junction

dance and classical music during her youth. Both

native, started his music career as the youngest

attended Berklee College of Music in Boston.

member of the Grand Junction Symphony

After meeting in New York, they moved to Grand Junction in 2015 where Erth Studios was born.

Erth Studios has gathered an enthusiastic

group of students during its existence. “We believe that students learn best when they are motivated by and emotionally connected to the material they are learning. Our priority is to make each lesson exactly what it needs to be for the priorities of every individual student. We are deeply invested in understanding who our students are as people, so that we can tailor their experience directly to them,” explains Law. “The most rewarding part of teaching music has been seeing what music education can do for anyone. We have had a number of students go on to study music at top tier universities and pursue music as a career, which is unbelievably cool. But, on the other end, we have watched music education Eric Law

increase the confidence levels of young students,

pushed me to practice songwriting. She sat me

rehabilitate long-standing injuries in older

down and said ‘Okay, give me some lyrics.’ I

students and create a place of joy, peace and

was so uncomfortable and had no idea what to

community across the board.”

do, but once I just stopped thinking and started

The teachers’ passion for music education

doing, I was surprised by what happened. She

is evident in their students. Cadence Neste has

helped me develop my creativity. She is also so

studied voice with Arandjelovic since 2016. In

reassuring, and I never feel judged by her.”

addition to her involvement in her high school

theater and choir programs, Neste performs at

online in March, Erth Studios continues to adapt

JUCO games with the Grand Junction Symphony

and thrive with the change. “We did so with

Orchestra and professionally with High Desert

some trepidation, but have been absolutely

Opera. She values Erth Studios’ commitment to

elated with the outcome,” says Law. “It has been

student-led education.

our experience that a sweeping majority of our

Despite having to move lessons completely

“Thea really works on cultivating the

student base has evidently excelled in the new

students’ voices and pushing them to discover

platform. While we have been teaching students

who they are as a musician. She often lets the

across the country remotely for many years, it

students choose what they want to work on and

was an unexpected blessing to see how well these

encourages them to decide how they want to sing

skills translated to the Erth Studios community.”

and who they want to be on stage,” says Neste.

Erth Studios brings the power of music education

As an experienced vocalist, she also enjoys

her unique experiences with Erth Studios that

Combining passion, skill and performance,

to the Grand Valley one student at a time. :

expand her skillset. “Thea pushes students outside of their musical comfort zones. Personally, she

For more information on private and group lessons, visit erthstudios.org.

RESIDENTIAL DESIGN + SITE PLANNING

www.studiomwarch.com | 303-910-4557 | Molly Wheelock, Principal

CO + UT

Pete Marshall | 616-648-4672 | www.nfdesignbuild.com

food

Q+A WITH JOSH NIERNBERG, GRAND JUNCTION CHEF + ENTREPRENEUR

THE FUTURE OF REGIONAL CUISINE IN A PANDEMIC WINTER Interview by Lexi Reich | Photos courtesy of Josh Niernberg

“I

t definitely could be smoother than it is

about a million dollars. That revenue loss isn’t

right now — that’s for sure — but we’re

necessarily reflective of our ability to continue to

hanging in there,” Josh Niernberg says over the

operate. We were early adapters with everything

phone from his Grand Junction home. He had to

that we had available to us, including loans and

close his three restaurants in Grand Junction at

grants. We were able to use those and make a

the end of September in response to a positive

bunch of moves to keep the doors open when it

test at one of his restaurants. “We’re just trying

was looking pretty bleak. We’ve experimented

to extinguish the flame, to prevent it from

with everything and some things have worked

continuing to spread, and we’re just going to stay

better than others. We shifted the entire service

closed until that’s done.”

staff to delivery; we did the online marketplace;

we did wine club; we did cocktail club; we did

The full closure lasted two weeks, but

Niernberg has many thoughts on the future of

cocktail kits; we were selling smallwares.

Colorado cuisine as the state heads into winter.

Despite the challenges of 2020 on the West

It’s really allowed us to focus in on the quality

Slope restaurant industry, the 2020 James Beard

of the food that we’re serving; we’ve taken our

Award semifinalist says there’s still plenty to look

dinner menu and turned that into the greatest

forward to in 2021 as long we can come together,

hits of some of the dishes we’ve done over the

support regional food and acquire rapid testing.

past 10 years. We’re able to really focus on a

The Foodbar is doing dinner service only.

small menu, so every last detail is getting extra

You are the founder of Bin 707 Foodbar,

attention. Honestly, Bin 707 Foodbar is probably

Taco Party and Bin Burger. How have your

a better restaurant during COVID than it has

restaurants weathered the 2020 storm?

been previously.

There’s a lot of different ways to answer that

question. The biggest one right up front is that

greenhouses where we’ll have climate-controlled,

the revenue loss we’re seeing this year to date is

private dining tables inside of greenhouses on our

Our next move is to go to the individual

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

outside patio to carry us, hopefully, until about

What changes do you wish to see

December. I think part of my job responsibility is

in the restaurant industry in Colorado

keeping up with food media and what’s happening

as we head into 2021?

in the world on an international scale, especially

I’m not too concerned with the changes as much

with COVID, to see how other communities around

as I’m concerned with our ability for rapid testing

the world have dealt with this. We saw this about

so that we are able to make better informed

six months ago in the Netherlands, and then we

decisions. We’re still in this position that the

saw some of those start to pop up throughout

business owners are responsible for enforcing

California in April and now Denver and some

the rules, because the rules differ from place to

mountain communities, as well. In our case, we’ll

place, as do the business owners themselves and

have seven different greenhouses. Four of them

their opinion of those rules. I think that puts all

will be two-top tables and three of them four-top

of us in a far more difficult position. The rules

tables. So, it’ll give us about 20 extra seats outside.

regarding alcohol consumption, drinking and

As we get into winter and navigate what’s to

driving, selling to-go alcohol, those are crystal

come, whether that means going back to closures

clear and nobody questions us, right? We’re

or occupancy changes or any of those things, we

required to put consumer advisory notices on

will be able to do the delivery service that we

our menus, two asterisks next to dishes that

were previously running again. We invested in a

are served to temperature — that’s required

location-specific QR code that allows us to put our

for us to be able to have our operating licenses.

code in tables of wine tasting rooms or breweries.

I don’t think that COVID should be operating

If a guest sits down in a brewery that doesn’t have

any different. If we get better enforcement just

food service, they’re able to scan the QR and pay

as we do for safety and for liquor enforcement,

for their food and order from our menu; it tells

coupled with better access to rapid testing, it

us exactly where they are so we can deliver to

would really help everybody operate smoother.

people throughout downtown Grand Junction.

You are a pioneer of “farm to table”

other social and economic factors that we’re all

in the state. Why is that concept

collectively dealing with right now. But the fact

so important to you?

of the matter is that the guest experience is still

I’ve always looked at farm to table as minimal

by far the most important thing that we can do.

intervention to the issue itself. And, that’s not necessarily what we do. We explore preservation

What advice can you give to readers who

on all fronts. We try to put out a product that’s

want to support their local restaurants?

unique to us rather than recreating existing

I think every little bit of business helps. There’s

recipes. We’re going into 10 years of this. Our

a lot of people that are not focused on what

state is relatively young, and for us to be doing

restaurants are going through right now. It’s all

what we’re doing for roughly a tenth of our

of those things that anybody has ever done to

state’s history, it actually does start to define

support businesses is just as important now as

what Colorado cuisine looks like.

it’s ever been, whether that is a Yelp review or a

gift certificate.

Now we’re trying to just explore that as

best we can. It’s not so much farm to table as it

We’re all dealing with the same larger issues

is regional cooking. The only way to do that is

at hand here, but regional food has such an

to be able to have a staff that’s engaged enough.

economy behind it. The more emphasis that all

That can be the conduit between our mission,

of us can put towards eating regionally sourced

regardless of the importance of the purpose of it,

foods, whether that be at restaurants or a

and the guest experience. So currently through

grocery store, it helps us, it helps strengthen our

COVID, I think that mission of defining Colorado

economies locally and regionally, which helps

cuisine takes far less importance, as does all the

get us out of this mess. :

food

A Bite r of Boulde

Produced by First Bite JESSICA BENJAMIN PHOTOGR APHY BY CHRISTINA KIFFNEY

COOKBOOK SERVES LOCAL RESTAURANTS + INSPIRES FOODIES EVERYWHERE

“A BITE OF BOULDER”

essica Benjamin believes food is love. As

up with the idea of a cookbook to connect people

a Boulder-based foodie, event producer

with restaurants they love or haven’t tried yet

and mother of two, Benjamin saw how hard

— all while giving back to the eateries. A Bite

restaurants have been hit by the global

of Boulder honors local chefs and restaurants,

pandemic, inspiring a generous project born

and celebrates some of their most popular and

straight from her heart. She is the producer of

beloved dishes to date, allowing home cooks to

First Bite, an annual event highlighting Boulder

make these dishes for their loved ones.”

County’s dining scene, and decided to create a

cookbook in lieu of First Bite’s Boulder Country

sides desserts and cocktails are photographed

Restaurant Week this year. The robust effort of

by Christina Kiffney. Recipes include OAK

creativity and collaboration has already created

at Fourteenth’s famous kale salad, Santo’s

a buzz, inviting diners from all over the state

unforgettable red chili pozole, Colorado-inspired

and beyond to rally around local restaurants.

cactus and corn fritters from Zolo Grill and

Chimera Ramen’s smashed cucumber dish.

A Bite of Boulder cookbook was released

this past November. Jaunt Media Collective,

the media company behind Spoke+Blossom

and Downtown Boulder Partnership, each of

Magazine and YOGA + Life Magazine, worked

the 30 participating restaurants received 25

with Benjamin as the publisher on this exciting

complimentary copies of the book. At least 50

project. Kitty Nicholason, Spoke+Blossom art

percent of the proceeds from book sales have

director, designed the book.

been split evenly between all participating

restaurants.

“The real goal of ‘First Bite’ — the reason

In collaboration with Society Insurance

we host a restaurant week — is to create and

strengthen community, to deepen the connection

favorites with friends and celebrate Boulder in a

between restaurants and their customers,”

delicious new way,” Benjamin says.

Benjamin says. “This year, since we couldn’t offer

a traditional restaurant week, yet restaurants

online at firstbiteboulder.com. :

need our support now more than ever, we came

Over 40 recipes of appetizers, entrees,

“Food truly is love, so dig in at home, share

A Bite of Boulder is $29.99 and available

Santo’s Red Chili Pozole

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

wellness + fitness

BEAT THE WINTER BLUES Words by Lexi Reich ELLIOT TANIN MEDIA

Burn Fitness Co.

t’s normal to feel the winter blues — days

2. Work In Designated Time Slots

are shorter and colder and darker. Luckily in

Many companies are sticking to normal work

Colorado, there are still plenty of sunny days to

hours supervised by routine video meetings and

be had and a plethora of outdoor sports to satisfy

phone calls. Others have a more relaxed schedule

activity levels. But this winter is unlike any other

just as long as the day’s work is completed. If

before; the past two seasons have felt like one

you’re the latter, make sure you bookend your

long month of April. Routine outdoor walks

days with a start and end time to separate your

and patio meals were the only things upholding

work and home life. Follow some resemblance of

any notion of normalcy. This winter, there are

a morning routine to get ready for the day (even

definitely challenges to be had — but don’t

if that means exchanging sweatpants for loose

disregard the joys of holiday season, knowing

athleisure pants), so your brain starts to prepare

we can still stay connected with our loved ones,

for the day’s work ahead. Stop at a reasonable

even if from afar. Despite it all, there are many

hour so your evenings don’t blend with the rest

ways to ignite that inner sun and push through

of the day’s happenings. Remind yourself that

this time of year with zest.

you deserve to wind down and have a calm night; leave your computer charging in a room

TIPS FOR WORKING FROM HOME

away from your main living space if possible.

1. Set Up Your Workspace Whether you’re working at your kitchen table

3. Take Dedicated Breaks

or have a dedicated office space, set yourself up

Be kind to yourself. Staring at a computer screen

for success by creating a harmonious setting.

for most of the day is taxing on the mind and

Whether it’s a certain candle scent or just having

body, so it’s normal to feel sluggish. Try taking

a freshly cleaned workspace, have something

frequent breaks, particularly those that involve

that serves as a cue to yourself to enter work-

movement. If the weather is not allowing a walk

mode. Distractions are inevitable, but try to

outside, take a stretch on your living room floor

protect your workspace like a sanctuary — keep

or on a yoga mat.

it peaceful and light.

Or, check out these awesome virtual fitness

class recommendations from local studios to

of videos and likes the structure of a live follow along. A single class is 16 dollars.

help keep your body moving and mind happy.

WESTERN COLORADO ONLINE FITNESS CLASSES THAT ROCK

DEVELOP POSITIVE HABITS 1. Stay Connected With Your Loved Ones Zoom happy hour anyone? If one’s not already in the works, take the initiative and schedule it

• Barrelosophy, Grand Junction

yourself! Now is a great time to reconnect with

Barrelosophy is a boutique studio devoted to

friends or family you may have lost touch with.

providing a full body workout. Their classes

Plus, social time is essential, even if it means

combine yoga, Pilates and ballet to practice

using your phone or computer for a few extra

small, isolated movements that exhaust muscles

hours on some days. Or, try writing a letter to

and then stretch them back out. Their online

add a meaningful touch!

membership rate is available on their website.

2. Start A Creative Project

• Burn Fitness Co., Grand Junction

Keep the creative juices flowing and look into a

This contemporary fitness studio offers Burn

passion project you have always been interested

Fitness On Demand, featuring creative workouts

in but never had the time to start. The Palette in

— from barre to HIIT — for 30 dollars a month.

Grand Junction sells “take home kits” filled with

Videos range from 10 minutes to an hour and

paint for specific projects — perfect for the kids

can all be modified with whatever equipment

or a much-needed date night. Or, build your own

you have available.

website, learn how to code, read a nonfiction

• Mountain Soul Yoga, Edwards Flow and release. Mountain Soul offers on-demand and livestream yoga classes that are unique in style and spirit. Located in the Vail Valley, it’s an exciting opportunity to be able to try one of their renowned classes from

book, write a poem, bake cookies, try cooking an octopus, etc. Challenge yourself, and the results may astound you. In fact, it has been proven that creative pursuits as such actually strengthen your overall wellbeing and can influence job satisfaction.

anywhere. Outside of yoga videos, they have

3. Honor The Good + The Bad

an array of virtual events centered around

Invite gratitude and reflection into your

wellness you can sign up for. Drop in to try a

headspace on a day-to-day basis. Honor your

class for 20 dollars.

productive days and take hours or days off

• Pilates Durango, Durango Pilates Durango is offering unlimited monthly Expect to see experienced teachers who offer techniques perfect for releasing tension and realigning the body. Some props are suggested on their website, but mainly you’ll need a mat or

together. : HOPTOCOPTOR FILMS

access to recorded classes for 25 dollars a month.

when you need it. Remember, we’re all in this

towel to lie on. • Thrive Yoga, Crested Butte + Fruita Commit to a physical, mental and spiritual practice. Try one of Thrive Yoga’s livestream classes before or after work, or even as a break during lunch hour! Because the classes are in real time, it’s a great way to keep yourself accountable if you’re one who easily clicks out

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

spoke

GET OUTSIDE!

GEAR FOR THE SEASON Compiled by S+B Staff

Dynafit Beast 108 Ski

Sierra Designs

The Beast is a

Borrego Hybrid Jacket

free-touring ski

This versatile jacket offers stretch

made specifically

and warmth without the bulk.

for powder. This

With four-way stretch panels in key

ski has a Double

areas and an insulated core, keep

Ellipse Rocker

this at the top of your gear drawer

construction

as a mid-layer for active, cold

that works on

weather pursuits. Added features

different edge

make it both water-resistant and

lengths. The

PFC-free. $174.95

developers

sierradesigns.com

focused on weight reduction, while MSR Evo Trail Snowshoe Kit Grab this kit and head out the door to explore snowshoe trails this winter. The Evo Trail Snowshoes are durable with steel traction

maintaining performance. $799.95 dynafit.com

for reliable grip, and the DynaLock Trail Poles have easy adjustability and comfortable grips. Bundle it all together in the storage and carrying pack, featuring a removable foam seat, internal zippered pocket, hydration compatibility and loops for pole attachments. $199.95 msrgear.com mountainfLOW eco-wax Resist using ski and Gordini Cache Gauntlet Gloves Winter adventures pair nicely with rugged canvas and synthetic gloves from Gordini. The Cache Gauntlet gloves have a waterproof yet breathable shell, filled with Primaloft insulation and complete with a drawstring closure and wrist strap. $80.99 gordini.com 40

snowboard wax that is awful for the earth and switch to something much greener. MountainfLOW eco-wax is made 100 percent from plants. $18.50 mountainflow.com

HOKA ONE ONE TenNine Hike GTX Reduce impact on your joints with HOKA’s signature rocker in the midsole of these shoes and a four-millimeter offset. Originally inspired from a trail running design, these runners gently catch the foot’s impact, so you spend less time and energy decelerating upon impact and get more opportunity to accelerate smoothly forward. These are lightweight with great traction and offer a GORE-TEX technology to protect your feet in wet and cold conditions. $250 hokaoneone.com

Deuter Freerider Pro 34L+ This gear piece is Bolle CHRONOSHIELD These great shades bring back an original style from the 80s with a modern look and functionality. The Phantom lens is adaptive to light and has super crisp vision in all conditions. With an ultra-wide field of view, there is no obstruction to your peripheral vision while also providing ultimate wind protection. We’ve tested these to ski in the winter and to ride bikes every other season, and they have stood up to every activity. The vents and the adjustable nose-pads prevent them from fogging up, and the removable brow shield is great for sweaty pursuits. $240 with Phantom lens; $170 with mirrored lens bolle.com

perfect for backcountry skiers looking for a full winter-spec pack with expandable capacity for multi-day ski tour. For this winter, the pack received a complete revamp to provide additional expandable storage capacity thanks to a new roll top for longer tours, quicker access to gear via a new rear opening and a more streamlined design. $180 deuter.com

Honey Stinger Cracker Bar The new and improved version of these tasty Outdoor Research Archangel Jacket + Bibs With a big nod to ice climbing in this issue, we had to include the Archangel Jacket and Bibs from Outdoor Research. This kit is ideal on winter days in and on the side of the alpine. A new GORETEX PRO waterproof fabric stretches 20 percent for excellent mobility, with stretch panels used on the upper back, lower hood, knees and bib gusset. Those panels are paired with a second GORE-TEX PRO fabric optimized for breathability. $699 jacket; $699 bibs

fuel bars are out now and are perfect for a mid-day snack or post-workout recovery. They feature the same creamy nut butter and honey as the original bars, sandwiched between two crunchy, salted, multigrain crackers and covered in rich, delicious chocolate — but now boast twice the amount of filling plus 10 grams of plant-based pea protein to help repair and replenish muscles and promote optimal recovery. Available in Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate. $29.99 per box of 12 honeystinger.com

outdoorresearch.com SPOKE+BLOSSOM

gift guide

Special Advertising Section

Solandra Candy Cane Soap $12 Snowflake Soaps $9.50 Signature soaps & skin care products handcrafted in Colorado. Their signature soaps feel silky smooth, loads of lather & Shea butter. Vegan. Retail: T he Gilded Spruce, Vail, CO gildedspruce.com Fill & Refill, Edwards, CO fillandrefill.com

The Ultimate Coffee Lovers Gift Set from First Ascent $99 Includes one autographed second edition copy of The Coffee Story: Ethiopia by Majka Burhardt; one bag each of First Ascent Ethiopian Coffee (Natural Process and Washed Process); one Yeti Rambler 12-ounce mug with Hotshot Lid. firstascentcoffee.com

Baklava by Linda $15 - 8 piece box $23 - 16 piece box Baklava by Linda is a deliciously unique gift. This homemade baklava is described by customers as the best baklava they have ever had. Available in 8 and 16 piece boxes. Order today at baklavabylinda.com.

“The Practice” Online Membership with YOGA + Life® Give the gift of vitality this holiday season with live and on-demand movement and mindfulness classes with YOGA + Life® team members and friends from around the world! This platform offers a wide-variety of classes and workshops to support well-being and inspired living every day, any time, anywhere. yogalifelive.com/thepractice/

Tailgate N Go Tailgate N Go is a portable, outdoor kitchen and dry box made for any outdoor cooking. Set it up in the backyard to the backwoods in seconds. Prep family and friends for open-air dining for years to come with an original Tailgate N Go box, along with a range of useful attachments. Boxes: $1,450 - $1,650 Attachements: $20 - $199 tailgatengo.com

Online: Solandra solandrallc.com

Fill & Refill Vail Valley’s sustainable goods store and refillery. It’s bulk shopping for the products you use daily for bath, body and home — ditch the single-use plastics. Eco-friendly gifts — it always smells wonderful here. Holiday gift sets starting at $20. 970-331-3444 • Edwards, CO • fillandrefill.com

R E V I VA L

essica Ballentine has a love for making people feel beautiful, both inside and out. Her mission with Revival, Vail Valley’s boutique-style medical day spa, is to restore clients’ best selves in a nurturing environment. The beauty and wellness industry’s “quick-fix” approach is the antithesis to the work at Revival. As the owner and a licensed medical esthetician, Ballentine created the space to be a sanctuary of integrative and holistic remedies backed by science. Located on Main Street in Edwards, the welcoming and light-filled spa draws in women from all over the Valley to indulge in doses of wellness. Offerings include beauty and facial treatments, laser and light therapies, injectables, body therapies and more. “The Revival community is like-minded women like me who recognize the value in expertise and experience, and recognize the importance of integrative skincare,” Ballentine says. “It’s for people wanting out with the old and in with the new in terms of really wanting a more progressive approach to skincare.” Clients love that Revival is a one-stop shop. One customer declared the staff at Revival as “true professionals in the skin care industry.” Revival’s commitment to high-quality services begins at the root — the environment. Because many medical treatments can be wasteful, Ballentine made sure sustainability stayed at the forefront of the spa’s mission. Prioritizing the health of the environment goes hand in hand with being conscious about the care of our bodies. “If we don’t take care of ourselves, we can’t take care of our tribe, whether that’s our family, professional lives, friends,” Ballentine explains. “We need to tend to ourselves and I think now more than ever that’s becoming a lot more apparent.” With the holiday season upon us, giving the gift of self-care to oneself or others is not only thoughtful, but incredibly needed this year. The team at Revival is looking out for their own clients, but also other local businesses in the community. Collaboration is at the core of Revival’s inner workings — whether that be adorning the walls with local artwork, selling hand-crafted jewelry at the boutique or highlighting other small businesses at Revival community events. To learn more, book an appointment or purchase a gift card, visit revivalvailvalley.com.

MIND, BODY, BEAUTY

VAIL VALLEY, COLORADO

If you’re looking for pampering — The Diamond Glow/DermalInfusion Facial is an easy and powerful way to enliven the skin. It improves the appearance of fine lines by removing dead skin cells, and plumps by infusing the skin with a powerful hydrator, hyaluronic acid.

If you’re looking for a powerful skin rejuvenation treatment — The Halo laser treatment builds the natural integrity of skin by combining ablative and non-ablative wavelengths that improve fine lines and wrinkles by resurfacing the skin and stimulating collagen.

970.855.0136 | 175 Main St Unit C-107, Edwards, CO 81632

P A

spoke

GEAR PROFILE

KORA YAK WOOL ACTIVEWEAR Words by Kim Fuller | Photo by Nick Junker

hile more and more consumers are

About a decade later, and now about 10 years

looking to invest in sustainable

ago, Kleinwort was based in Beijing, China, and

products and companies, the activewear

in his spare time he was doing a lot of trekking in

market is still searching for fabrics that deliver,

the Himalayas.

and Kora has it all.

“I grew up in France and Switzerland, so

“Yak wool is new to many people,” explains

I grew up skiing, trail running and mountain

Nicola Waskett Bannister, Kora marketing

biking and cycling, and in China I got into

consultant. “As a standalone raw material, it

trekking,” says Kleinwort. “A Canadian friend of

has superior thermal — warming and cooling —

mine introduced me to some nomadic families

properties as the fibers are very fine and hollow.

that he knew. And it was in our discussions with

It is also extremely flexible and durable, and

them that I heard about yak wool.”

enhances the thermal properties of other wools

such as merino. It’s really a ‘hero’ ingredient for

wool has elite properties for technical use,

products.”

including breathable insulation, quick-drying

Kora has a big opportunity with consumers

and antimicrobial, temperature regulating and

who are moving away from fast and cheap fashion

moisture managing, but has classically been

towards well-made, high-quality clothing that

difficult to work with technically and logistically

lasts and really works. The brand aligns with the

— you had to go to 5,000 meters (16,000 feet)

awareness consumers have about choosing more

altitude to get it.

sustainable options. This ethos adds to feeling good

when you wear it and work out, whether that’s

“And at that time, mostly you’d see it in the

yoga, cycling, climbing or backcountry skiing.

Chinese market, in the Russian market, in small

“Kora’s genius is that it not only designs

quantities. The idea at the time, if it was possible

great products but has been creating its own yak

to buy this wool, regularly from these families,

wool fabrics for years, so the team is expert in

is that we’d be providing them with a regular

this area of peak performance,” Bannister adds.

source of revenue, which they don’t have —

What Kleinwort discovered is that yak

“So, it’s an underused resource,” he explains.

they literally survive off the yak itself. Other

YAK WOOL’S “ELITE” PROPERTIES

than selling the animal for meat or selling the

Michael Kleinwort is the founder of Kora.

butter and the cheese, there is no other source of

After working in and traveling through Africa

revenue that they really have.”

and Asia, he became increasingly inspired to

help communities adjust to the pressure of the

when they had a stable fabric from 100-percent

developing world.

yak wool and created Kora’s first product:

baselayers.

“This was when I was first exposed to the idea

The development process took until 2013,

that the private sector could be guided to achieve

“The idea of going with the baselayer is the

community and conservation objectives,” shares

baselayer is the hardest thing to convince people

Kleinwort.

to wear because it’s next to your skin,” says

“As the Shola 230 is close fit to the body, it’s

also perfect for wearing to and from the studio with jeans or track pants so I don’t need to take a change of clothes,” she explains. “It really is the perfect yoga top layer!”

SUPPORTING ETHICAL PRACTICES On a trek, the less you carry the better because you can move faster. Kleinwort says this is the core strength of yak wool — the fact that you can wear it in such a wide range of conditions, and it doesn’t hold odor, so you don’t have to carry multiple pieces.

“The same goes for your wardrobe,” he

explains. “If you can have this one piece and it means you don’t have to buy two or three other pieces, it’s good for you financially, but it’s also great for the environment.” Kleinwort. “A baselayer is intimate. You need to

be fully convinced even before you buy it. And

detached from the animal and the herders in the

then you know very quickly if it’s comfortable or

area collect it by hand. It’s a painless process for

not. My sense was once we’d convinced them of

the animal with no shearing involved. Kora buys

the benefits of yak wool through baselayers, we

the wool directly from nomad families, at a fair

could then go to midlayers and beyond.”

price, in addition to a five to 10 percent bonus to

the families every year to encourage continuity.

With many performance-based pieces now

Yaks molt in the spring — the wool becomes

in the Kora line, the brand has been renowned

for accompanying long and extreme adventures.

families that we can help,” says Kleinwort. “One

“The more wool that we can buy, the more

Kora, however, is also ideal for anyone interested

of our wishes for Kora is that we’re able to give

in an any kind of active, outdoor lifestyle.

those families a chance to continue their way of

“People are starting to see that these are

life on their own terms, in the mountains where

cross-over pieces,” says Kleinwort. “They can

in fact they are the best guardians of those areas.

be worn on the mountain, but they can also be

They know better than anyone how to manage a

worn on down days. Throughout the winter, or

yak herd in those places and how to survive.”

anytime when it’s not the height of summer, you

can wear Kora.”

practices as much as she can, from the food she

eats to the brands she buys.

Bannister says her favorite piece is “most

definitely” the Shola 230 Zip.

Bannister says she looks to support ethical

“This may mean using sustainable and

“It is absolutely brilliant for everything and

renewable resources, or supporting the

it’s my go-to for wearing over a crop top. The

communities and environment where raw

long body length is ideal for multi-directional

materials are sourced,” she shares. “I also like

movement during practice and the fabric is so

to support smaller, independent brands that are

soft and naturally flexible — it keeps my muscles

often the most creative, ingenious companies

warm but also stops me from getting sweaty

and create exciting products. I’m very aware

because of the thermal properties of the yak

about what I put against my skin — I will

wool,” she shares.

always opt for natural fibers that have not been

bleached or highly processed. Kora checks all of

Bannister says she also loves using this

piece in a yoga studio — especially when the air conditioning is blasting during Savasana.

these boxes.” : koraoutdoor.com

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

spoke

ATHLETE PROFILE

JESSE SELWYN + THE STORY OF TWO AMIGOS ON ICE Words + Photos by Travis Anderson

“All mountain landscapes hold stories, the ones we hear, the ones we dream and the ones we create.” —Michael Kennedy

Jesse Selwyn, Travis Anderson

take one last glance at the packed climbing

and the push to be his best physical and mental

gear before crawling into bed. If I know

self. These defining traits have given him a

Jesse, and I definitely do, he’ll be at my house 15

hard edge to meet the demands of rigorous

minutes early smiling ear to ear with contagious

backcountry outings head-on.

excitement. I’ll be my usual groggy and slightly

grumpy self at the ungodly departure hour. And

in exercise sports science, he craved bigger

so begins another ice climbing excursion.

adventures and headed to Montana, where he

After earning an undergraduate degree

Jesse Selwyn, who describes his teenage self

chased ice and played in wild topography. A gig

as a shy, Poindexter type, grew up in Georgia

at the Missoula REI supported his climbing bum

racing mountain bikes. Navy Reserve Officer

habits, and the “new gear” temptation proved

Training Corps subsidized his college dreams

too much. He soon maxed out his credit cards on

with a bonus of valuable leadership experience

ice tools, ropes, skis, crampons and traditional

climbing gear. He played, and played hard,

corporate grind and less time to pursue his real

honing his skills and thoroughly enjoying his

passions. Not one to fear change and growth,

twenties.

Jesse stepped back from the medical field to

“I’ll always cherish my Montana chapter,

pursue American Mountain Guides Association

as it was the first time I fully absorbed the vast

(AMGA) rock/ice climbing guide certifications.

wild feeling of such an immense landscape. I

“The coursework is great. Though challenging

also made lifelong friendships pursuing the

and frustrating at times, it’s one of the best

mountain activities I’d always dreamt of doing,”

things I have ever done. I’ve found my stride and

Jesse recalls.

am learning a ton of cool stuff,” he says.

He eventually returned to school and

It’s 4 a.m. and I hear a few light knocks,

embarked on his career as a respiratory therapist

sending my red heeler pup barking towards

in Grand Junction. After a few seasons in the valley,

the door. I peep out the window and see two

he rediscovered his love for mountain biking and

headlights: Jesse is early and I’m running late.

spent a few years dabbling as a professional on

He’ll surely have a witty comment about my

the Big Mountain Enduro Pro Tour.

punctuality and our banter will begin as we

While respiratory therapy made ends meet,

head south. I set my breakfast burrito and coffee

he found himself unfulfilled by the demanding

in the console and make a feeble attempt at

Jesse Selwyn in the San Juans

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

Jesse Selwyn in the conifers

conversation, but he and I both know I’ll be sound

We high-five each other when we pull into

asleep as soon as we pull out of my driveway.

the empty trailhead of this popular backcountry

Much like the time it was my turn to drive, I

climb. With our climbing boots laced up, ice

talked him into taking over the wheel; minutes

packs strapped to our backs and one final sip of

later I was snoozing away in the passenger seat.

warm coffee, we venture into the frigid air. After

As we pass through Montrose, he nudges

a 30-minute hike through the frosted conifers

me awake so I can catch the first daylight

and tall pines and a few stretches of post-holing

awakening the horizon’s snow-capped peaks, a

through deep snow (imagine a weird cross fit

mixture of hazy oranges and purples that never

workout: punch through, sink in, high-step repeat),

disappoint. Today we head to the southern

we find ourselves at the base of the day’s objective.

San Juans to climb one of the more captivating

frozen waterfalls in all of Colorado — Ames Ice

tools and both tie into the rope. With a quick

Hose. Michael Kennedy, Steve Shea and Lou

verbal safety check, Jesse gracefully leads off into

Dawson first climbed the route in 1976 during

the vertical world. Skilled climbers have a way of

the “bold and cold” era when climbing gear was

dancing up the ice with fluidity, precision, power

staggeringly basic and climbers donned itchy

and balance; they make the hard look easy. Jesse

wool shirts instead of waterproof Gore-Tex. The

does just that as he unlocks the climbing secrets

route’s namesake is nearby Ames hydro power

of the steep ice.

station, one of the world’s first power stations to

generate and transmit alternating current.

anticipation and nervousness, I work my way

We snap on our crampons, pull out our ice

Following him with a mixture of both

up the first pitch in a way that is anything but

which creates a softer, more pliable consistency.

graceful. At our first belay stance, my forearms

This is the sweet spot for ice climbing, where it

are over-pumped and I’m barely able to grip my

almost seems like cheating when each swing of

ice tools. Breathlessly, I tell Jesse, “I’m going to

the tool locks into the ice with a reassuring thunk.

need a minute,” as my fingers begin to tingle.

We scramble up the last wall with ease, hooting

It’s the first sign of what climbers refer to as the

and hollering as we go. At the top, we pause to

“screaming barfies,” also known as “hot aches.”

relish our success before rappelling back down

It happens as cold hands begin to warm and feels

to where it all began. When we reach the truck,

as though your fingers are over a lit match while

we pull off our boots, crawl into the cold vehicle,

deep nausea settles in your gut. Jesse just smiles

crank the defrost to max and start the drive home

while I groan.

tired, hungry and happy.

As my hands regain their ability to function,

Jesse once told me that one of the reasons he

my mind returns to our present surroundings. I

is so drawn to ice is that every climb is different.

glance up at a thin ribbon of ice surrounded by

Even climbing the same waterfall months apart

craggy granite on both sides — this is one of the

is a new experience. The ice changes almost

most alluring places I’ve ever stood. I breathe

weekly, growing more voluminous as the season

in and out a few times, taking it all in. These

waxes and dissipating as the season wanes.

moments are fleeting. After a quick handoff of

equipment, I put Jesse back on belay and watch

all of the years of adventure, Jesse has become

him dance up pitch two.

a brother to me. I’m often reminded of our first

On the final pitch, we strike gold and

conversation when I asked him if he skied, biked

encounter a wall of hero ice; its blue-tinted surface

or climbed: he looked at me with a huge grin and

glistens from the increasing warmth of the day,

said, “guilty of them all.” :

As I look back at our friendship, through

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grand outdoors

EARN YOUR POWDER TURNS AT BLUEBIRD BACKCOUNTRY By S+B Staff GOOGLE

ith an unpredictable ski season ahead

2017, running a variety of prototype events

and the increased popularity of ski

to craft the experience in partnership with

touring and human-powered powder access,

Winter Park Resort, the United States Forest

Bluebird Backcountry seems to have opened

Service and North London Mill Preservation.

their new concept right on time. Located on

After raising more than 100,000 dollars through

the Continental Divide near Rabbit Ears Pass,

Kickstarter, 330-percent of its goal, Bluebird’s

Bluebird Backcountry is a ski area without

in-bounds backcountry concept became a

chairlifts. After a test season last year, the area

reality in January 2020, opening for a 14-day

proved skiers are ready and eager to access

test season in February and March 2020 on

the snow, terrain, services and classes Bluebird

private land at Peak Ranch, Colorado. Market

Backcountry provides.

signals on demand and customer satisfaction

Located about 30 minutes from Kremmling

led the Bluebird Backcountry team to bring

and Steamboat Springs, Bluebird Backcountry is

back — and substantially evolve — the ski area

operated by dedicated backcountry skiers and

for the upcoming 2020/2021 season. Bluebird

snowboarders. Their aim is to reduce barriers

Backcountry shifted the backcountry ski area

to entry, improve gaps in current education

four miles northwest to Bear Mountain at an

formats and create a soulful gathering place for

elevation of 9,845 feet.

the backcountry skiing community.

Bluebird Backcountry has been working

receives 45 percent more snow annually; it’s also

on the backcountry-lite ski area concept since

huge, allowing our guests to have an uncrowded,

“Our new location at Bear Mountain not only

powder-filled backcountry adventure,” says Jeff

and east-facing aspects, crafted a signature

Woodward, co-founder and CEO.

education progression for backcountry ski

The new ski area will welcome a maximum of

and splitboard lessons and clinics, certified its

200 guests a day on the mountain, spread across

avalanche education programs and expanded

1,200 acres of in-bounds terrain. For comparison,

its guided-only skiing zone to 3,000 acres. Off

Arapahoe Basin has 1,428 skiable acres.

the mountain, Bluebird Backcountry will offer

slopeside camping and tasty new food options

With no chairlifts or motorized guest

transportation and physical distancing serving

from a throw-back food truck.

as a natural component of backcountry travel, Bluebird Backcountry is uniquely positioned to

EMPHASIS ON EDUCATION

keep its guests safe this winter. While COVID-19

Now an official AIARE (American Institute for

has forced traditional ski areas to work out

Avalanche Research and Education) provider,

challenges of crowded lift lines, gondolas and

Bluebird Backcountry will teach avalanche

cafeterias, Bluebird Backcountry spent time this

courses with experienced and credentialed

offseason evolving its guest experience both on

instructors. For skiers and splitboarders who

and off the snow.

are beginning their backcountry journey,

Bluebird

On snow, Bluebird Backcountry has

designed fun ski runs on primarily north-

introducing

unique

three-

lesson progression designed to welcome all

DOUG MCLENNAN

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

DOUG MCLENNAN

experience levels, including those who have

AIARE training, which they can now experience

never tried backcountry skiing or splitboarding

on site.

(backcountry snowboarding). These courses

offer hands-on learning with backcountry

avalanche education to be at an all-time high this

gear, movement, skills, etiquette and Leave

year,” says Vickie Hormuth, executive director

No Trace principles. Bluebird Backcountry

of AIARE. “Recreationists of all abilities and

wants to help backcountry travelers develop

backcountry experience levels will be looking

good habits and ultimately prepare them for

for uncrowded places to play, making education

“We expect backcountry use and demand for

more important than ever. Bluebird Backcountry

is filling a much-needed gap to help resort skiers

access to the mountain, with no reservations

transition properly by learning both backcountry

required. Season passes are limited and 350

and avalanche essentials in a comfortable

dollars each, along with Bluebird+ (250 dollars)

environment. Bluebird’s model is the future of

and AIARE courses (250 to 550 dollars). Four-

in-bounds backcountry learning, and we are

pack (185 dollars) and 10-pack (425 dollars) pass

proud to partner with them to provide top-notch,

options are offered and 100-percent transferable.

forward-thinking avalanche education.”

Day passes and multi-day passes will be limited

and require reservations.

Bluebird is also introducing a unique

Season passholders will have unlimited

mentorship program this year called Bluebird+.

The membership offers aspiring backcountry

products for companies, travelers and anyone

Bluebird also offers a range of group

travelers access to Bluebird’s Backcountry 1, 2

looking to bring friends and family for a unique

and 3 courses, unlimited clinics and ski-with-

outdoor experience.

a-mentor days, as well as discounts on AIARE

training, guided lessons and snow safety gear.

at Bear Mountain to be December 24, 2020 and

Bluebird Backcountry expects opening day

In addition to the new products, services

closing day to be March 28, 2021. Operations

and safety measures, Bluebird Backcountry

will run five days a week, Thursdays through

continue to offer traditional ski-area comforts

Mondays,

within its marked boundary, including great tree

Thursday nights through Sunday nights. :

and

camping

will

available

skiing, backcountry ski and splitboard rentals, touring lessons, warming huts, bathrooms and a professional on-site ski patrol for medical response and avalanche evaluation.

Learn more about Bluebird Backcountry and view pass options at bluebirdbackcountry.com.

5 HUTS LINKING TELLURIDE & OURAY UNMATCHED BACKCOUNTRY ACCESS THROUGH THE SNEFFELS RANGE OF THE SAN JUANS

SANJUANHUTS.COM (970) 626-3033

take a hike

SERPENTS TRAIL Words + Photo by Melanie Wiseman

ith the close proximity of its winding,

serpentine-like path and breathtaking

Trail served the dual purpose of access for

Like most early road proposals, Serpents

views of the Colorado National Monument,

ranchers between Glade Park and Grand Junction

Grand Mesa, Bookcliffs and Grand Valley floor,

and represented the first successful attempt

it’s no wonder Serpents Trail is a favorite of both

to make the wonders of the park accessible to

locals and visitors.

visitors. Otto envisioned a trail around the rim of

The trail was built by visionary John Otto,

the Colorado National Monument, and his grand

whose campaign to establish the Colorado

plan was to link the scenic trail from Grand

National Monument was accomplished in 1911.

Junction to Moab, Utah.

Climbing from east to west through Wingate

Sandstone, the trail was, in fact, a 2.5-mile road

destroyed sections of the Serpents Trail, yet a

from Grand Junction through No Thoroughfare

1.75-mile portion opened in 1961 and has been

Canyon and nearly to Cold Shivers Point.

preserved as the current hiking trail. Serpents

Trail was added to the National Register of

Called “the crookedest road in the world,”

By 1950, the construction of Rim Rock Drive

due to its many twists and turns, this historic

Historic Places on April 21, 1994.

trail once had 52 switchbacks and was wide

enough for two cars to pass. When completed in

something new around every corner. People of

the early 1920s, most cars lacked fuel pumps and

all ages love this hike which offers a moderate

drivers had to back up the road so fuel flowed to

steady incline of 770 feet in elevation over the

the engine via gravity — food for thought as you

one-way course. Children have fun counting

traverse the trail.

scampering lizards and switchbacks along the

The plethora of switchbacks exposes

way and spotting crazy rock formations. Plan on

two hours round-trip with children.

experience on Serpents Trail was crossing paths

Adults enjoy the convenience of a brisk hike

with a man in street clothes hiking up with a

in their back yard that can be done in about

suitcase at dusk as I descended. Two young

one and a half hours. Many locals hike or jog

children played joyfully as they followed him —

the Serpents Trail as part of their daily fitness

certainly a very unusual site. Moments later at

routine. Local lore requires you to touch the

the parking lot, I was covered in goosebumps,

Serpents Trail sign at the top to make the hike

witnessing his silhouette holding bagpipes on a

complete before heading back down the snaking

switchback outcropping, as the still night air was

rugged path.

filled with the beauty of “Amazing Grace.”

Serpents Trail is the perfect year-round

Expect the unexpected. My most memorable

Getting there: Once you enter the east

hike. Be sure to stop frequently to admire the

end of the Colorado National Monument from

massive amount of work and engineering that

Monument Drive, the parking area is immediately

went into its construction. Rush the hike and you

on your left, opposite the trail head. The small

risk missing the dramatic overlooks, big horn

parking area often fills up on weekends and

sheep and canyon wren sittings, wild flowers

busy days, so additional parking is available at

and a variety of desert cactus and landscapes.

the Devils Kitchen Picnic area (where there are

facilities), just to the right side of the trail head.

Frequent hikers will attest to the notion that

no matter how many times you hike Serpents

National Park rules apply; please stay on the

Trail, it never looks the same. Try hiking it at

trail and no pets. And, during COVID, switch to

different times of the day and different times of

single file when encountering other hikers to

the year for new discoveries. If you’re a social

maintain social distancing.

hiker, there will be plenty of opportunities to

make new friends and catch up with old ones.

the hike. :

Cell phone service is available throughout

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family

ENVIRONMENTAL INSTITUTE TEACHES SCIENCE AND OUTDOOR SKILLS, WHILE BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN KIDS

EUREKA! Words by Kristen Lummis | Photos courtesy of EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum

hen Adam Bavier joined the staff at

to families that otherwise couldn’t afford to

EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum

participate, thanks to generous support from

in February 2020, there was no way he could

Alpine Bank.

have imagined the positive impact he — and

the museum — would have on kids during this

where they could engage with their peers and

tumultuous year.

decompress after weeks at home,” explains

Bavier was tasked with creating a new

Environmental

Institute

means

“We were happy to give kids a place

Bavier. And, while Bavier recognized that

there was “always a chance” that plans would

incorporating outdoor learning and field

have to change or be canceled, the summer

work into the museum’s hands-on indoor

programming was a resounding success.

programming. The goal was to offer year-round

opportunities to elementary and secondary

near Vail where students collected data for a pika

students with an emphasis on students in grades

monitoring survey in partnership with the Front

third through fifth and sixth through ninth.

Range Pika Project. And, while EUREKA! staff

A highlight of the summer included a hut trip

The inspiration for this new program came

assumed that the multi-day expeditions would

from EUREKA!’s Executive director Jenn Moore.

build the most excitement, the day trips proved

Prior to her work at EUREKA!, Moore was the

to be especially impactful, with high demand for

project manager and director of the Natural

local experiences including rafting, mountain

Resources Management program at Colorado

biking and climbing, always coupled with science.

Mountain College in Leadville. In this role, she

took college students into the field to do research

unplugged made a big impact on them.

on conservation projects.

As for the kids, getting outdoors and getting Two students, Cormac (age 11) and Evy

“I would watch their minds grow when

(age 8) both commented on surveys that their

presented with outdoor learning experiences.

days spent with EUREKA! were “better than

They were learning science and math, but also

Minecraft,” while another, Hayden (age 13), put

developing a deep innate passion for hands-on

it this way, “I don’t even miss my phone.”

inquiry,” Moore explains.

Based on this, Moore was certain that

themselves recognized — included making

EUREKA! could offer younger students similar

new friends, building confidence, having new

opportunities with a combination of multi-day

experiences and bonding with peers, especially

overnight expeditions and single-day excursions.

when they’d had difficulty with that in the past.

Against all odds, and thanks to Mesa County’s

Other benefits to students — that they

As for fall and winter programming,

low COVID-19 case load throughout the spring

EUREKA! has partnered with Colorado West

and early summer, Bavier and EUREKA! were

Land Trust to include students in a native plant

able to implement their ambitious plans and give

restoration project at Lunch Loops, a popular

a diverse group of local children some lock-down

trail head for hiking and mountain biking. Other

relief. They were also able to offer scholarships

winter programming includes ice science in

Environmental Institute Director Adam Bavier teaches students about pika habitat prior to monitoring pika populations in the Ragged Wilderness. (Photo taken before pandemic mask requirements.)

No-Thoroughfare Canyon on the Colorado

indoors and in vehicles, and a new requirement

National Monument, snowpack science on the

for social distance when having a “mask break,”

Grand Mesa and a hut trip to Leadville for a

even if they’re outdoors.

snow science and wildlife response program

with Rocky Mountain Biological Labs.

EUREKA! Environmental Institute is that through

hands-on participation, children create their own

With COVID-19 infections still among us,

For Moore, the primary benefit of the

maintaining health and safety are also part of

learning paths.

the learning.

“We won’t put students or their families at

she explains. “Instead, we allow them to learn

risk,” shares Bavier. “Groups like the National

from experience, develop their own questions

Outdoor Leadership School and Outward Bound

and interests and to become resilient when faced

have created best practices for keeping kids safe in

with challenges.”

a field environment, and we are following these, as

well as the protocols being used in schools.”

staff and students the freedom to explore

Best practices include each child having

while learning,” she adds. “As a classroom, the

their own equipment and gear, separate sleeping

outdoors is so much bigger, and offers so much

quarters on overnight trips, with only siblings

more, than learning from a textbook indoors.” :

“We are not spoon-feeding them information,”

“The Environmental Institute allows our

being allowed to share rooms, masks required

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

stay + play

DAN TILLE

A WINTER STAYCATION ON THE GRAND MESA Words by Shaina Maytum | Photos courtesy of the Grand Mesa Nordic Council

eddings, graduations, family reunions

Deep snow and miles of forested cross-country

and vacations — for many, canceled

skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling trails

plans are one of the biggest disappointments of

greet winter visitors, and nearby Powderhorn

the COVID-19 pandemic. On the positive side,

Mountain Resort is a local favorite. Several

many people are reconnecting with their home

mountain lodges offer guided tours and rentals,

communities and exploring local options for

as well as cozy and rustic accommodations for

recreation. As winter approaches, people are

those wanting to stay overnight.

looking for places to vacation close to home. One

fantastic Grand Valley “staycation” option is a

THINGS TO DO

visit to the Grand Mesa, whether for the day or

Cross-country Skiing

for a long weekend.

The Grand Mesa Nordic Council (GMNC), a

The Grand Mesa, known locally as “the

“community-supported, non-profit organization

Mesa,” is just an hour outside of Grand Junction.

of people who love to cross-country ski on the

With an area of 500 square miles and an average

Grand Mesa,” maintains thirty-one miles of

elevation of 10,000 feet, the Grand Mesa is the

trails, groomed for both classic and skate skiing.

largest flat-topped mountain in the world. Views

Three trail systems — the Ward Trails, Skyline

from its highest points give visitors a panorama

Trails and County Line Trails — offer a variety

of the Grand Valley, and on a clear day, you

of terrain for beginner to advanced skiers.

can see all the way to southern Colorado’s San

According to Joe Masey, president of the GMNC

Juan Mountains and Utah’s La Sal Mountains.

board, “We have worked hard through the

Thunder Mountain Lodge is located just

summer preparing our trails for what we expect

will be a big-use winter season. With a grant

feet from the GMNC’s groomed trail system

from REI, we have been able to add several new

and is within just a few miles of world-class

trail signs and maps to the trails systems to make

snowmobiling. They provide guided group and

them easier for newer skiers to find their way.

private snowmobile tours and lessons, as well as

Our trails have never been in better shape!” Visit

rentals for those with the skills to venture out on

their website, gmnc.org, for more information

their own. Visitors can spend the night in one of

on trails, conditions and regulations.

ten cozy, pet-friendly cabins.

Snowshoeing Deep snow and thick forests make the Grand Mesa ideal for snowshoeing. The County Line Trail area, Ward trailhead, and Mesa or Griffith lakes are popular access points. Snowshoeing is allowed on the GMNC trail system, but snowshoers are asked to stay to the side of the groomed trails to avoid damaging them.

Grand Mesa Lodge, situated on Island Lake,

features fourteen rustic kid- and pet-friendly cabins. They offer guided snowmobile tours and have a restaurant and bar onsite.

If you’re looking for something other than a

traditional lodge or cabin experience, check out Powderhorn Mountain Resort’s newest lodging idea: The Tiny Home Project. These brand new, fully equipped tiny homes sleep four to eight and

Snowmobiling

are conveniently located at the base of the resort,

With nearly 200 miles of trails, the Grand Mesa is

providing a basecamp for downhill skiers and

a snowmobiling paradise. Very skilled riders can

people wanting to adventure further up the Mesa.

explore the 120 miles of trails between the Grand Mesa and Sunlight Mountain Resort in Glenwood

WHERE TO EAT

Springs, while those with less experience can

After a long day in the snow, a good meal is in

stay on closer, locally maintained trails. Many

order. In addition to the restaurant at the Grand

local outfitters and lodges offer rentals, lessons

Mesa Lodge, hungry adventurers can find food

and guided tours.

at one of three restaurants and Powderhorn

Downhill Skiing With its laid-back vibe and budget-friendly lift tickets, Powderhorn Mountain Resort is one of Colorado’s hidden gems. The mountain has

Mountain Resort or at the Wagon Wheel Restaurant and Motel located in the town of Mesa. And read about the new market in Mesa, page 20. :

terrain for all levels of skiers and allows uphill access. Backcountry Safety Winter in Colorado can be unpredictable. Anyone heading out for a winter adventure should be prepared for changing weather conditions and unexpected events. Carry food, water, sun protection and extra layers. Travel with a partner and tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.

WHERE TO STAY Mesa Lakes Lodge is surrounded by seven lakes and offers a variety of accommodations, including large family cabins, small rustic bungalows and motel-style rooms. They rent snowmobiles, cross-country skis and snowshoes

Some of the 200-plus trees that were down on GMNC trails this summer. Thirty GMNC members volunteered to work through the summer to clear the trails.

and offer guided snowmobile tours.

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

getaway

ENJOY A WELLNESS GETAWAY IN COLORADO SPRINGS

INTEGRATED VITALITY AT GARDEN OF THE GODS Words by Kim Fuller | Photos courtesy of Garden of the Gods Resort and Club

ravel looks and feels quite a bit different

and renewal while offering beautiful access to

this year. As the world continues to

nature.

navigate the global pandemic, many plane

rides have been switched to road trips, while

can gaze at the magnificent red rock formations

Before settling into a relaxing stay when you

itineraries in a new location seem to have a

from the property, head over to Garden of the Gods

larger focus on overall balance and well-being.

Park to access hiking and running trails. Outdoor

Health, immunity and safety are elements of

enthusiasts can also coordinate with a resort

daily living that never been more crucial for

concierge to arrange reservations with the local

every individual to cultivate.

Pikes Peak Alpine School for a mountaineering

On our most recent visit to Garden of

or avalanche course. After a full day of fresh air

the Gods Resort and Club this past fall, I was

and adventure, nothing beats heading back to the

reminded how this property checks all the boxes

rejuvenating wellness experience at Garden of

for a true experience of wellness. Located in

the Gods Resort and Club.

Colorado Springs and set among expansive vistas

of the towering Pikes Peak and awe-inspiring

resort’s 116 rooms and suites within its hotel,

Garden of the Gods National Natural Landmark,

along with cottages and casitas, including one-

the luxury property truly caters to restoration

to three-bedroom suites, many with private

Accommodation options range from the

patios that offer stunning views of Garden of

After a busy week of work and travel, I was

the Gods Park.

finally able to feel full relaxation as my nervous

system slowly began to release tension and

In addition to a full fitness center and daily

class offerings, dining venues with a magnificent

invite in some space.

view and a swoon-worthy infinity pool, STRATA

Integrated Wellness Spa is on property to

processes and tailored wellness programs can

offer guests and club members thoughtful spa

help individuals achieve peak wellness through

It was easy to see how personalized

treatments and integrative medical practices.

STRATA is continuing the legacy of this

Colorado region as a century-old wellness destination. Board-certified physicians and a talented team of therapists offer clients a dynamic combination of advanced clinical practices, naturopathy, nutrition, fitness and other wellness services.

TAKE A SPA DAY + DECODE YOUR DNA After a morning yoga class and a dip in the infinity pool, head over to the spa at STRATA featuring nine treatment rooms, an Austrian

realms of physical, emotional, intellectual, social,

weightless environment bed, a salt inhalation

environmental and spiritual health.

room for halotherapy and an herbal sauna.

One of the most unique and valuable

A visit to STRATA is a chance to restore

experiences I had at STRATA this visit was an

balance in the mind, body and spirit, and

appointment to “decode” my DNA with Dr. Carly

wellness membership opportunities mean

Powell. Dr. Powell is a naturopathic doctor, and

this can become a lifestyle option as well. The

through my raw DNA information provided

spa menu pairs seamlessly with the array of

by 23andMe, she was able to pull information

Western and Eastern medical science modalities

and walk me through an optional path of

available, along with programs on nutrition,

health, specific to me and my DNA. I learned

fitness, meditation and mindfulness that provide

what vitamins and minerals I have a hard time

guests with a fresh perspective.

absorbing and balancing, what supplements,

I started with an Energy Healing Session on

nutrition and practices can help, and ultimately

the medical floor, then headed upstairs to the

created a three-step detoxification process to

spa for a Aypa Energy Body Therapy treatment.

bring me to my top wellness from the insideout. This session and many others are also offered through STRATA virtually though remote teleWELL appointments.

While the world is changing so rapidly and

we’re asked to be flexible and resilient in every move we make, I appreciate a resort destination that truly puts well-being first. A visit STRATA for the day or a full getaway Garden of the Gods is a clear reminder that we can take better care of ourselves through daily steps of wellness and vitality. :

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

feature

Out West Books

INDIE BOOK SHOPS ARE RICH CULTURAL HUBS THROUGHOUT WESTERN COLORADO

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORES Words by Sharon Sullivan | Photos courtesy of the bookstores

nside Grand Valley Books in Grand Junction,

Regina Lopez-Whiteskunk, both there to discuss

I have listened to Colorado author Craig

Irvine’s book Desert Cabal, plus Native rights

Childs tell lively stories of his adventures in the

and threats to public lands.

Southwest wilderness. Down the street at Out

West Books, I thoroughly enjoyed a presentation

bookstores cultural hubs of their communities

that referenced Crested Butte author Briana

— and are one reason why independent brick

Wiles’ books Mountain States Medicinal

and mortar bookstores are doing well during the

Plants and Mountain States Foraging. At Lithic

Amazon era.

Bookstore and Gallery in Fruita, I met author

Amy Irvine and Ute Mountain Ute tribal member

recommendations, local and curated book

Free events like these helps make indie

“Indie bookstores offer personal book

selections and they host author events — all of

project. The shop at 350 Main St. offers a well-

which Amazon simply can’t offer,” says Heather

rounded selection of both used and new books,

Duncan, executive director of the Mountain

while emphasizing regional history, Western

Plains Booksellers Association (MPBA).

Americana and topics of local interest. Margie

While some shops have turned to virtual

Wilson manages the store, while her husband

author events during the pandemic, others

and co-owner, Frank Cooley, tends Twice Upon

have found outdoor venues for well-ventilated,

a Time Bookshop, a secondhand bookstore at

socially distanced gatherings. When retail

2885 N. Ave. the couple purchased in 2007.

stores temporarily closed last spring during

the statewide shutdown, owners found ways to

local artists, whose pottery, photography and

continue serving customers.

paintings are for sale. During pre-COVID times,

The downtown store serves as a gallery for

“Stores have been able to pivot towards

the shop hosted First Friday artist receptions, in

increased online sales, local delivery and pick-

addition to various author readings and book

up orders, as well as appointment shopping,”

signings.

explains Duncan. She says bookstore customers

have really shown their support during this

you’ll find “Bookish Purses” — upcycled books

difficult time.

made into purses that are customized with

Grand Valley Books is the only shop where

Grand Valley Books opened in downtown

charms and amulets related to the book. Bookish

Grand Junction in 2010 during a recession, a

Purses was founded two years ago by two local

snowstorm and a major Main Street construction

women who loved getting together to talk about

Film critic Leonard Maltin at Between the Covers in Telluride. SPOKE+BLOSSOM

books. “We fell in love with them right away,” Wilson said. “People just love them. It’s a great girlfriend present.”

Wilson also offers appraisals of rare and

antique books by appointment.

Grand Junction’s Main Street has often

supported more than one indie bookstore. Out West Books owner Marya Johnston remembers coming to town to visit two independent bookstores on Main Street shops as a child. “I remember Rim Rock as a wonderland,” Johnston recalls. “I grew up in Gunnison where there was no bookstore. I’d come to Grand Junction and spend a whole morning at Rim Rock and Readmore.” Johnston opened Out West Books in May 2014 at 533 Main St.

Growing up in western Colorado and

working as an adult in her mother’s eastern Utah bookstore for 20 years, Johnston has always been interested in Western culture, thus, her general bookstore emphasizes new books about the West, natural and local history and Western literature.

Working in her mother’s shop is how

Johnston met Moab artist Serena Supplee, known worldwide for her bold and whimsical paintings of Colorado Plateau landscapes. The artist used to come into Johnston’s mother’s shop to sell her colorful greeting cards. Johnston now carries Supplee’s cards, calendars and books in Grand Junction.

Lithic Bookstore and Gallery is located

in the upstairs of a 1904 former bank building at 138 S. Park Square in nearby Fruita. There’s an elevator for people who prefer not to take the stairs.

Before the pandemic, owner and poet

Danny Rosen hosted events nearly every week with local scientists, musicians, poets and authors. The biggest change since COVID-19 is the increased number of books in the shop, he says. “We added a dozen new bookcases in the last few weeks,” Rosen explains. “Our business is doing the same or better since we reopened at the beginning of June.”

An astronomer and geologist in his previous

career, Rosen carries a wide selection of natural history and science books, as well as poetry and literature. Hanging rocks and sticks, along Lithic Bookstore and Gallery

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

with the works of local artists — which are for

sale — add to the ambiance of this artistic shop.

storefront remained closed to the public,

Couches and comfy chairs encourage people to

although you can still order from its web site,

stay and read for a while.

pick up items at the curbside or get materials

“One of the things we love to do and

delivered. The shop expects to open its storefront

pride ourselves on is we curate books here,”

to the public before the holiday season. In

Rosen says. “More and more people show

addition to literature, politics and history, there’s

appreciation for that — customers say, ‘I

an entire room dedicated to children’s’ books.

VISIT MORE WESTERN COLORADO INDIE BOOKSHOPS The Book Haven Salida salidabooks.com

Ouray Bookshop ouraybookshop.com

Book Grove Glenwood Springs bookgrove.com

Off the Beaten Path Steamboat Springs steamboatbooks.com

Maria’s Bookshop Durango mariasbookshop.com

always find something

here.’ It’s gratifying.”

traveling to Aspen from out-of-state and

internationally, says Billingsley.

Matt Lee and his family

of Edwards when they’d

in Telluride in 1974. Co-owner Daiva Chelsonis

visit the Rocky Mountains

(who married the aforementioned Craig Childs in

t o s k i . I n Au gu s t , L ee

October) says she was “amazed” to find an indie

became The Bookworm’s

bookstore in a tiny town set in a box canyon after

new owner after moving to

moving to the mountain community in 1992. She

Edwards a year ago.

eventually began working there as a bookseller.

In 2010, she bought the business — along with

In addition to the

s h o p ’s

collection

fellow employee Bobbi T. Smith.

nonfiction, history and

known especially for its nonfiction, adventure

politics, The Bookworm

books, active kids’ section and titles that

carries graphic novels,

correspond with Telluride’s many events, such

and “a great selection

as the Mountainfilm and Mushroom festivals.

of kids’ books — both in

English

Spanish,”

the Telluride Transfer Warehouse, a 100-year-

says Lee. The store’s café

old roofless stone building, where Western Slope

sells coffee drinks and

poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer recited from

is known for its crêpes,

her new poetry collection, Hush, published in

smoothies

salads.

2020. “It was so great to gather again to celebrate

There’s also a soup and

a beloved poet,” says Chelsonis. “It was a lovefest,

rolls subscription service

without touching.” :

and

In September, The Bookworm held its first

live event since the pandemic limited such gatherings — by hosting it outdoors in the Riverwalk backyard — with prior Bookworm owner Nicole Magistro interviewing local author Heather Mateus Sappenfield. Explore Booksellers was founded 45 years

ago in Aspen and is located in a Victorian house at 211 E. Main St. In 2012, the shop was purchased by Environment America, a nonprofit advocating for the environment and consumer safety. “We’re one of their projects,” explains longtime bookseller Mark Billingsley.

Between the Covers Bookstore opened

classics, poetry, fiction,

where items are delivered

“We’re the first stop for a lot of folks”

used to visit The Bookworm

on a weekly basis.

As of September, Explore Booksellers’

Between the Covers is a general bookstore

In September, the shop hosted an event at

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

Local parcour athlete Logan Frady does a wall flip.

feature

PARKOUR ON THE WESTERN SLOPE Words + Photos by Justin Jolley

ou may have heard of parkour from the

inspire me to grow as a person and an athlete.”

internet sensation back in 2006 featuring

With 40 total parkour gyms currently in the

people running, jumping and flipping in many

United States, parkour is a small and tight-knit

different popular videos that swept the country.

community. Many athletes of the sport travel to

But, it has since developed and become a full-

other parkour gyms and go for events with many

blown athletic activity for anyone to try.

other parkour athletes. Logan Frady, one of the

What exactly is parkour? Parkour is an

instructors, says, “It’s an amazing community in

activity where a participant jumps, climbs and

which you can better yourself and meet other

flips in order to make their way through their

people who value the same things.”

environment. The Western Slope has had its own

home for this crazy sport since 2014.

come together and learn about movement. From

Hard work and personal strength are a few

parkour classes where students learn to jump,

of the many key values you learn in classes at

climb and swing to aerial silk classes where

Elevate Parkour Facility. As you work through

students practice core and upper body strength,

the many classes and levels at the facility, you

the parkour facility is a hub for movement and

will learn how to push yourself and grow in a

enjoying yourself while staying active.

physical and mental way. With classes available

for almost all ages, both kids and adults can

student says, “Parkour and movement are stress

enjoy a fun way to stay active.

relievers for me. It’s just an escape from life

where I can do whatever I want. It’s just fun.”

“Our goal here is to create a place for anyone,

Elevate parkour is a place for people to

Soren McGill, one of Elevate’s 13-year-old

kids or adults, to learn something and grow, and

just be yourself,” says Vinnie Coryell, owner of

does more for you than just keep you active.

Elevate Parkour believes that movement

Elevate Parkour. The facility encourages anyone

The instructors of Elevate also believe it will

to join them and have fun learning about

help you in other aspects of your life. “Facing

movement and parkour.

obstacles and fears in parkour is just like real

Many students at Elevate are younger kids

life. And, teaching yourself how to overcome

and teenagers. Kids and teens with an abundance

anxieties in movement lets you overcome other

of energy have a great place to expend it at the

anxieties of life,” says Mikaila Quinn, parkour

parkour gym. Throughout COVID-19, it has

instructor. “My life would absolutely be worse

become a great place for kids to destress and

off without parkour. The more I have pushed

recharge. Elevate has been a great part of the

myself to grow in parkour, the more I have

community for numerous families.

grown in other aspects of my life. Parkour

“I’d say parkour is one of the biggest things

has made me more confident with myself, it

for me in my life,” says 16-year-old Louie Lee,

has given me something that is my own and it

one of the parkour students at Elevate. “It’s one

has allowed me to express myself creatively.”

of my favorite things to do, and I’ve met a bunch

Movement is an important part of almost

of people that are my friends now; many of them

everyone’s life at the parkour gym. People are

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

“Parkour is really hard, so it’s interesting

seeing students grow through the process,” says Quinn, “Not everyone sticks with it and some people have it easier than others. But, the students who are passionate and keep pushing through are what makes this job worth it.” The instructors of Elevate all love seeing students learn and grow through the program.

Quinn says, “We have students who have

been doing parkour with us for three or four years and seeing them blossom and change through that time has been amazing.”

Sharing is an important virtue in parkour

culture. Unlike other sports based on competition, parkour is about teaching and working together to grow through movement. “The first guy I met who did parkour was one of the nicest guys I met,” says Coryell. “That first interaction told me to treat others the same way, and I think that attitude has continued over the years.”

In the facility you notice how friendly

everyone is with each other almost immediately. Students are willing to share with others, instructors care about the growth and wellbeing of their students and parents trust the instructors there with keeping their kid safe during classes. Interactions between students, instructors and parents are all positive, and the atmosphere that creates is certainly what keeps people coming back. Logan Frady jumps a gap in cliff walls at the Devil’s Kitchen trailhead in the Colorado National Monument.

Coryell has been training in the sport for

over 12 years. Parkour has played an incredible role in his life. Coryell has Cystic Fibrosis — a

passionate about parkour at the gym and that is

life-threatening disorder that affects the lungs

what brings them together.

and digestive system.

One of the biggest parkour events that

going to get it the first try, you’re not going to

“Summer Jam.” Summer Jam is where athletes

get it the second try and you have to be resilient

from all around visit the Western Slope and train

through that,” says Coryell. Since the opening of

together for a few days. Athletes get the chance to

the gym, he has been hospitalized several times

meet with other parkour enthusiasts from far and

and has grown through the many difficulties of

wide. In the past, all these athletes would train in

life.

the facility at night and then go training downtown

in large groups during the day. This repeating

against him, Coryell has managed to keep

event has brought the parkour community closer

brightening

every summer, but with complications regarding

throughout the years, and hopefully for many

COVID 19, unfortunately the event couldn’t take

more years to come. :

place this past year.

“Parkour is all about resilience … you’re not

happens in the Western Slope is an event called

However, despite the odds being stacked the

lives

many

students

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FIRST RESPONDERS FACE ADDITIONAL RISKS DURING PANDEMIC

DRIVEN TO DUTY Words by Sharon Sullivan

n early October wildland firefighter Cash House

a pandemic to the mix and the stakes are even

returned to his Boulder home after completing

higher for first responders.

a two-week assignment on the Cameron Peak

While House says it’s impossible to social

Fire, burning 20 miles west of Fort Collins. He

distance from your own crew members while

was looking forward to sleeping in the next day.

out on a wildfire, firefighters try and distance

House, 49, is the assistant fire chief for the

themselves from other crews, making a point

Four Mile Fire Protection District in Boulder

to sleep at least 12-feet apart from one another.

County — an all-hazard fire department meaning

Everyone has a “copious” amount of hand

firefighters respond to medical, structural and

sanitizer, while also always wearing masks, he

wildland fires. Oftentimes, House is on the front

adds. The fire department’s COVID task force

line, with tool in hand fighting the fires. This most

provides testing and ensures safety guidelines

recent assignment — as medical unit leader at

like mask-wearing, handwashing and social

the Incident Command Post — while perhaps less

distancing are followed.

physically demanding, was mentally straining.

“If you make a mistake someone can get injured

of breathing difficulties, first responders

or killed,” House says.

consider the possibility that the patient might

Prior to the Cameron Peak fire, House spent

be contagious with the coronavirus. Personal

14 days actively fighting the Pine Gulch Fire on

Protection Equipment – gowns, goggles, gloves

Bureau of Land Management property north

and masks – are worn when responding to a call

of Grand Junction — an assignment that was

if COVID is suspected.

both mentally and physically exhausting. It

involved 16-hour days of hiking with 50-pound

equipment and then worry if it’s safe to go back

In town, when a 911 caller complains

“We have to take extra steps cleaning

to our families,” House says. “We do a lot of

“I fell in love with the pace of EMS (emergency medical services). It’s one of my passions. I get to help people on their worse days.”

patient follow-up. We can find out an individual’s

— Grand Junction EMT Stephanie Bonello

must quarantine for 14 days. A diagnosis

packs, while also trying to remain safe from

potential exposure to the coronavirus. There

protection district before being hired for the

were confirmed positive cases that required

job he’s done for 16 years. He says he “loves the

isolation of some of the firefighters working on

physical aspect of it.” Working out and eating

the Cameron Peak Fire.

healthily is how he maintains his own well-being

during his off hours.

House says 27 people working on the

If there is evidence of exposure, the firefighters requires isolation either at home or a hotel. House started as a volunteer with the fire

wildfire tested positive for COVID-19 — requiring

isolation for each diagnosed firefighter.

love,” he shares.

Tending to emergencies at any hour of the

day or night is a high-stress job anytime. Add

outcome. Was he diagnosed with COVID?”

“If I don’t stay in shape, I can’t do the job I In Grand Junction, 36-year-old Stephanie

Bonello

works

Emergency

Medical

COURTESY OF CASH HOUSE

Out in the field: Cash House at the Pine Gulch Fire. SPOKE+BLOSSOM

BOTH PHOTOS: KEN REDDING

Captain Jason Whitesides

GJ EMT Stephanie Bonello

Technician (EMT) for the city fire department and

is based at the downtown station. She’s been an

city firefighters interact with the public during

The coronavirus has also changed the way

EMT for 16 years, intending initially to become a

non-emergencies. Pre-pandemic, the public

nurse. However, after earning her clinical hours

could stop by the Fire House anytime to say hello.

riding ambulance calls on the Front Range,

School tours where children learn about public

she decided to stick with EMT work. “I fell in

safety and look at firetrucks have been canceled.

love with the pace of EMS (emergency medical

services),” she says. “It’s one of my passions. I get

shifts, followed by 24 hours off-duty for five

to help people on their worst days.”

days, followed by a four-day weekend. Sleep

Grand Junction’s all-hazard fire department

deprivation is a huge issue amongst firefighters,

responds to 911 calls, including “lift assists,”

although Bonello says you get used to it. “Some

when a person has fallen and cannot get up on

nights you’re up all night, other nights you can

their own, or more serious incidents like heart

nap some,” she explains.

attacks or strokes. Crews also rescue people

off Colorado National Monument and from the

Grand Junction Fire Department Captain Jason

Colorado River. If a caller is suspected of having

Whitesides worked as a wildland firefighter.

COVID-19, head-to-toe coverings are worn, with

The 45-year-old was drawn to the camaraderie

outerwear discarded at the hospital before

of firefighting and the idea of public service

returning to the Fire House, Bonello says.

after serving in the U.S. Marines for six years.

Grand Junction fire teams work 24-hour

Before joining the department 15 years ago,

Although he loved wildland firefighting, after

he and his wife discovered they were expecting

a peer support team to make it easier for team

twins he sought a more regular schedule where

members to deal with stress. There’s a team

he wouldn’t be gone for long periods of time.

counselor available that crewmembers can

access privately.

In fact, in 2006, while fighting the Little

Four years ago, Whitesides implemented

Venus Fire in Wyoming’s Shoshone National

Forest, Whitesides was caught in a “burn-over.”

helped guide people through this rough time,”

He and his crew members were forced to deploy

he says. “When the pandemic hit people were

their emergency pocket shelters while the flames

very concerned, nervous of the unknown.”

rolled over them.

At the city’s Orchard Mesa station,

“With that in place, without a doubt we have

“We run toward fire, we put it out. With COVID we can’t see where the virus is coming from. It’s an invisible problem.”

Whitesides’ team works out together for an hour each shift while wearing masks and social distancing, he says. Other COVID precautions

— GJFD Captain Jason Whitesides

include limiting the number of crewmembers entering a home when on a call. When possible,

Firefighters are accustomed to seeing a problem

callers are encouraged to come outside in the

and fixing it, Whitesides explains. “We run

fresh air to limit exposure to any virus. “A huge

toward fire, we put it out. With COVID we can’t

stress factor is we don’t want to bring this home to

see where the virus is coming from. It’s an

our families,” Whitesides notes. Crew members’

invisible problem.”

vital signs, including their temperatures, are

checked twice daily.

when he says, “At the end of the day we love

Whitesides speaks for many first responders

being able to help those who need it.” :

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feature

HOW TO BOUNCE BACK AFTER A DIFFICULT YEAR

RESOLVING TO START ANEW Words by Lauren Farrauto

or most, 2020 has been a roller coaster of a

doesn’t mean there’s nothing to be gained from

year. From the outbreak of the pandemic to

reflecting upon it. “You control what you can and

the impact of the election, the mantra of the year

accept what you can’t,” he adds. Many people

seems to be, “It’s 2020, anything can happen.”

dwell on the inconveniences and stressors of life,

That’s true every year, but this one in particular

which in turn causes more stress by triggering

rocked people to their core. Feelings of stress,

the reactive part of our brains. Instead, Fulton

anxiousness, depression, isolation, fear and so

suggests responding thoughtfully to stressful

many other negative emotions infiltrated minds

situations.

to devastating effects. But, it’s important to

remember — you are not alone.

controls body processes during ordinary

“The parasympathetic division (PNS)

The entire world has gone through the ringer,

situations and is responsible for recovery, rest

and while it may seem daunting to return to

and relaxation,” Fulton explains in his MyRelaxer

“normal,” it can be done by making a few small,

guide. It’s important to promote parasympathetic

intentional, yet impactful, steps. This is not a

activation that will “calm us so we can rest,

guide towards new year’s resolutions, but rather

repair, revive and restore ourselves.”

advice on how to craft and maintain the life you

want despite all the challenges of society, both in

Mind Springs Health, adds that “in reflecting you

the current time and throughout your life.

might see areas for improvement” — a practice

Dr. Amy Gallagher, a licensed psychologist at

she refers to as post-traumatic growth. Whether

REFLECT

that be on relationships to determine which ones

“We can’t go back and change the past,” reminds

you need to cultivate or grow, about yourself and

Dr. Richard Fulton of Grand Junction. But, that

your fortitude as a person, or maybe a newfound

passion for teaching since the kids have been

That being said, give yourself grace too. “A

home, reflection can be powerful tool for self-

habit takes three weeks to form … know you

improvement.

might slip up,” she adds. “When you’re prepared, you can step back in easier.”

ACT

There’s no silver bullet or one-size-fits-all cure for

to mitigate the stress that typically accompanies

our negative emotions. “You need to build a good

this is to establish solid routines. Planning your

foundation,” Fulton says. He suggests the four

meals, consistently waking up and going to

pillars: sleep, food, movement and gratitude. By

sleep at the same time and having a designated

making these areas as strong as possible, “you’re

workspace are all great routines that help set

positioned to have a great 2021.”

people up for success each day.

Going to bed earlier and getting at least eight

We’re all living with uncertainty, but a way

Through it all, remember to breathe,

hours of sleep is crucial for your brain to process

which helps regulate us when feeling anxious,

the day’s stresses and recover, in order to be

overwhelmed and stressed. If things are still

ready for the next day. Eating healthy foods,

feeling difficult, “there’s always help available,”

mostly plants, and limiting sugars makes our

Gallagher reminds. “Therapy helps us cope and

bodies feel more energized and awake, which

understand our emotions.” Contrary to popular

in turn provide us more energy to practice

belief, therapy doesn’t have to be forever

movement throughout the day. Short walks or

and there are thousands of options out there

even standing while working results in impactful

depending on each person’s specific needs. Many

changes to our bodies and attitude. These four

places also offer visits over the phone or video,

pillars are discussed often in society, but the

making help accessible even during the current

last one is perhaps the most important and least

pandemic.

known: gratitude.

“Gratitude is a game changer,” say Gallagher.

most important for our well-being, like the four

She suggests finding three things you’re grateful

pillars, helps limit the stress of having too many

for each day or making a gratitude wall at work

options. “Fulfillment comes from achieving a

for the whole office to partake in. “Happiness

meaningful accomplishment. Ask yourself, ‘what

from both sides can make a profound impact

is meaningful that I can accomplish today?’” says

on everyone.”

Fulton. Honing in on these smaller, manageable

steps makes a daunting task feel much more

Fulton agrees, stating that people who

Additionally, whittling it down to what’s

regularly practice gratitude report feeling 25

approachable.

percent happier.

Obviously, everyone is a little different,

Boiling it down to just four pillars makes

but taking these tips and tailoring them to your

things seem simple. “It is simple,” Fulton agrees,

life will result in notable change for the better,

“but not easy. When any of these pillars are

even if it takes a little time. “Always remember

out of balance, it causes stress and we react,

to celebrate the small successes,” Gallagher

instead of responding thoughtfully.” Therefore,

advises. This makes the path to your overall

strengthening each of these pillars simultaneously

goal more enjoyable and easier to follow. She

will lead to a healthy, less stressful life. Let one

recommends drawing a staircase and writing

area slip, and we feel off-balance.

in each step towards the top for a visible representation of your goal. But remember,

MAINTAIN

embarking on your own journey is the best way

However, change doesn’t happen overnight. One

to figure out what works for you personally.

area where people struggle the most, Gallagher

So, take a breath, make a plan and have a great

points out, is waiting to make a change or

new year. :

resolution on December 31. “A snap decision is harder to maintain. Do your due diligence and plan. Prepare for what this change will look like.”

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

events

WINTER 2020-21 Compiled by Naomi Allen | Photo by Matt Brooks

“Fire On The Mountain” from the Telluride Fire Festival

Blue Sage Christmas Shoppe Paonia, Colorado November 21 - December 23 Support local Paonia artists at the Blue Sage Christmas Shoppe. Shop the marketplace online or in person at the Blue Sage Center for the arts. bluesage.org

Christmas Town Cedaredge, Colorado November 28 - December 20 The Surface Creek Valley Historical Society offers a socially distant holiday event for the community. The event is hosted on Saturdays and Sundays and will be spaced out on 6 acres of land. It will include a tree lighting to celebrate the selection of the

White House Christmas tree from Western Colorado. Come visit the transformed Pioneer Town Christmas marketplace to celebrate the season and support the community. pioneertown.org

Parade of Lights Grand Junction, Colorado December 1-12 The Parade of Lights is a cherished Grand Junction holiday event. This year, the traditional ceremony is postponed until 2021, but starting in December, Main Street will be closed each night between 4th and 5th Streets for a reverse Parade of Lights. The theme for 2020 is “Christmas through the Decades.” Celebrate 38 years of tradition in beautiful Downtown Grand

Junction with hot chocolate, floats and fun for the whole family. downtowngj.org

Telluride Noel Night Telluride, Colorado December 2 Noel Night is the perfect traditional celebration of the holidays in downtown Telluride. Enjoy discounts at local restaurants and shops along with the tree lighting ceremony. It is one of the best ways to mark the beginning of the holiday season in Telluride and support local businesses. telluride.com

Telluride Fire Festival Telluride, Colorado December 4-6 Warm up on a cold winter night at the Telluride Fire Festival. Join enthusiastic fans at this Burning Man-like festival with artists, musicians and, of course, lots of fire. telluridefirefestival.org

Artists’ Holiday Market Edwards, Colorado December 4-8 The Alpine Arts Center will host 25 local vendors selling art and supplies for artists. Shop for your favorite art lover and support the arts in Edwards. alpineartscenter.org

Gunnison Holiday Arts Bazaar Gunnison, Colorado December 5-22 Support Gunnison artists by buying your gifts at the Gunnison Holiday Arts Bazaar. Local artisans contribute a variety of products at different price points, making it the perfect shopping opportunity. cbcreativedistrict.org

Telluride Holiday Arts Bazaar Telluride, Colorado December 11-13 Telluride-based artists sell fine arts, foods and other unique art. Stop by the Telluride Elks Lodge to support local artists and find artisanal gifts for the holidays. telluride.com

Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair Fruita, Colorado December 12 Support local artisans at the annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair in Fruita. Planning for 2020 is underway, stay tuned for details. fruita.org

The 11th Annual Colorado Wine, Chocolate and Cheese Festival Montrose, Colorado December 12 The Colorado Wine, Chocolate and Cheese Festival moved from Ouray to Montrose this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. Join wine, chocolate and cheese enthusiasts for shopping and tastings at Montrose Elks Lodge. eventbrite.com

Holiday Prelude Telluride, Colorado December 12-13 Mountain Village transforms into a winter wonderland with sleigh rides, carolers and live reindeer during the Holiday Prelude. Celebrate the season with free ice skating, exclusive discounts at local stores and a photo op in the red gondola cabin. townofmountainvillage.com

Cookies ‘N’ Claus Fruita, Colorado December 16 Kick off the season with a visit from Santa! Come watch a holiday movie with hot cocoa and cookies at the Fruita Community Center, with a Santa photo op. Due to recent COVID-19 guidelines, a reservation system and social distancing measures will be in place. fruita.org

Ullr Nights Aspen, Colorado December 26, 28, 30; January 1; February 12, 19, 26; March 12, 19, 26 Ullr Nights honors the Norse God of Snow all winter long in Elk Camp on Snowmass. An activities pass includes access to unlimited tubing and rides on the scenic Breathtaker Alpine coaster, as well as the gondola ride to Elk Camp.

Performances include live music and fire dancers. aspensnowmass.com

Crested Butte Music Festival: Fingernoise Orchestra Crested Butte, Colorado December 31 The Crested Butte Music Festival will host the Fingernoise Orchestra on New Year’s Eve with baroque music and an afterparty. crestedbuttemusicfestival.org

Crested Butte ArtWalk Crested Butte, Colorado December 28; January 18; February 15; March 20 All winter long, gather to celebrate local art in Crested Butte. Five Elk Avenue Gallery workshop artists contribute a variety of works to be purchased during the walks. Enjoy cozy evenings with wine, snacks and beautiful art. crestedbuttearts.org

Ouray Ice Festival Ouray, Colorado January 21-24 The Ouray Ice Park is reimagining their annual Ouray Ice Festival. The 26th festival is going virtual this year. The competition will be closed off to spectators to keep athletes and staff safe, but will be livestreamed for viewers. All proceeds go to maintaining the Ouray Ice Park and keeping it free to the public. ourayicepark.com

Arches Ultra Moab, Utah January 30 Enjoy the views of Arches National Park during the 2021 Arches Ultra race. Options include 9K, Half Marathon, 50K and 50-mile races. Registration closes on January 28. ultrasignup.com

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

who we are

PALISADE HIGH SCHOOL AND THE DUAL IMMERSION ACADEMY

STUDENT-LED EQUITY COUNCIL Interview by Naomi Allen

he Student-Led Equity Council was founded

District 51’s Minority Advisory Council, hosted

by students and teachers at Palisade High

workshops with teachers and students in our

School (PHS) and the Dual Immersion Academy

school, attended Stanford University d.school’s

at Bookcliff Middle School to combat systemic

K12 Futures Fest (a conference on innovative

inequity in schools. Started with the support of

education) and created a student-friendly

teachers Laura Meinzen and Michele Rewold,

version of the cultural competency continuum

the council has continued collaboration with

to present to students and teachers.

educators and students within PHS, DIA and beyond.

Whether

advocating

for

cultural

S+B: Why is equity important to you?

competency training in the classroom or gender-

GR: To me, equity is important, because access

neutral graduation gown colors, the council

to the resources people need to succeed should

always advocates for a more equitable school

be a standard. I have always been exposed to

environment.

micro racisms. If the work we do as a council

begins to educate others and remove those

Gabi Reitz is a current executive member of

Palisade’s Student-Led Equity Council.

inequities, I will know I’ve made someone else’s life better and the community stronger.

Spoke+Blossom: What do you hope to accomplish with the Equity Council?

Laura Meinzen is an educator partnering

Gabi Reitz: With the Equity Council, my

with the Equity Council. She works to support

primary goal is to educate: educate students

other educators in combatting inequity in the

and staff on the presence of micro and macro

classroom.

racisms in the education system and

S+B: What is the biggest lesson you’ve

our own school; help

learned from the Equity Council?

individuals recognize

Laura Meinzen: Doing equity work in schools

where they are on the

requires partnering with and following

cultural competency

the leadership of our students, as well as a

continuum and how

commitment to continuously being reflective,

they can do their part

continuously learning and continuously

Everyday Antiracism: Getting Real About Race in School edited by Mica Pollock

to combat racism in

interrogating our own biases and actions.

This Book is Antiracist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do The Work by Tiffany Jewell

S+B: What has

for the future of the Equity Council?

the Equity

LM: My greatest hope is that student-led equity

Council already

work will be amplified and multiplied across

accomplished?

the Valley, reinforcing a student-centered and

GR: We have

student-led theory of change and increasing the

presented at education

ways in which all students of all identities can

conferences across

feel valued and feel a sense of belonging

Colorado, attended

in schools. :

SUGGESTED READING Culturally Proficient Leadership: The Journey Begins Within by Raymond D. Terrell and Randall B. Lindsey

21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge by Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr.

our schools.

S+B: What are your goals