In a season that celebrates togetherness, food—and the cultures it represents—has the remarkable power to bring us closer. From cozy seasonal cocktails to cherished dishes inspired by the Mediterranean, Brazil, Palestine, and Mexico, local chefs are sharing recipes that bring the world to our tables. Each dish carries a story, a tradition, and a sense of home, inviting us to gather with family, friends, and neighbors in the true spirit of the holidays.

Yet for many families, celebrating those beloved traditions has become increasingly difficult amid rising costs and financial uncertainty. The holiday table may look different this year, and for some, the meals that once marked the season with joy may now feel out of reach. Programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) help bridge that gap, ensuring more families have access to fresh, nourishing food and the chance to continue the rituals that bring comfort, dignity, and hope. Sadly, many have been stripped of that dignity during the recent government shutdown, leaving even more households struggling to put food on the table.

This holiday season, these recipes remind us that no matter where we come from—or what’s on our plates—we can still celebrate as one global community. Through food, we share warmth, gratitude, and the timeless truth that every meal has the power to connect us. If you’re fortunate enough to share a warm meal with those you love, take a moment to appreciate it—and if you’re able, consider donating ingredients or support to a local food pantry.

After all, the true spirit of the holidays lies in sharing what nourishes us, body and soul.

Minty Mistletoe from Erie Social Club Holiday Cocktail

Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or just looking for the perfect festive nightcap, the Minty Mistletoe from Nick Varnadoe, owner and proprietor of the Erie Social Club, is sure to put you in the holiday spirit. Varnadoe has turned the Erie Social Club into a true family affair—his wife and kids all play a part in the magic that happens behind the bar and in the cozy atmosphere locals love.

While this particular cocktail hasn’t yet been passed down through generations, it has all the makings of a family tradition in the making. With its blend of cool mint, rich creaminess, and just the right touch of seasonal cheer, the Minty Mistletoe captures the essence of the holidays in a glass. It’s nostalgic and new all at once—perfect for toasting to family, friends, and a little extra sparkle this season.

Minty Mistletoe

• 2 oz Gin
• .75 oz Peppermint Simple Syrup
• .75 oz Lemon Juice
• .75 oz Cranberry Syrup
• .5 oz Creme de Menthe
• .25 oz Cherry Juice
• 1oz Aquafaba (chickpea juice) for foam – substitute for egg whites

Instructions

• Shake vigorously over ice in a cocktail shaker.
• Strain into an Old Fashioned (rocks) glass.
• Garnish with mint sprigs and a peppermint.

Enjoy your holiday cheer!

Red Cedar Bistro Moroccan Shrimp

Appetizers are the perfect way to warm up your guests, teasing their appetites while giving everyone a reason to gather, share, and chat—a delicious start to any memorable evening. Larry Shore, executive chef at The Red Cedar Bistro in Longmont, knows just how to do it. “My Moroccan Shrimp is sure to please,” he says, offering a dish that’s full of vibrant flavors and just the right amount of spice to spark conversation around the table.

With every bite, Shore’s appetizer sets the tone for the meal to come, creating a communal moment that’s as much about connection as it is about taste. It’s the kind of dish that makes people linger, laugh, and savor not just the food—but the company too.

Moroccan Shrimp

After seasoning the shrimp, we broil it and serve it over the Chermoula sauce, which is like a lemony Moroccan chimichurri. We season our shrimp with Ras el Hanout, which is a north African spice blend meaning ‘Head of the Shop’. In other words, their best spices. It’s a sweet  and spicy blend. These blends are usually family heirlooms and are all slightly different. The  Chermoula is great with shrimp or chicken.

Preparation:

• Large Gulf Shrimp, season with salt, pepper, and Ras el Hanout. (available in most spice shops). Then broil.
• Serve shrimp over the chermoula sauce.

Red Cedar Chermoula:

• 1 TBSP cumin
• 1 cup parsley
• 1 cup cilantro
• ¼ cup garlic cloves
• 1 TBSP smoked paprika
• 2 lemons zested & juiced
• 1 cup olive oil
• ½ TBSP salt
• 2 roasted serrano chilis
• Blend cilantro, parsley, chilis, and garlic in a  food processor until chopped.
• Add spices, lemon juice and zest. Pulse again until mixed.
• Add oil and pulse a few times until semi-mixed. It should look similar to chimichurri.

Savory Sweet Potato Soufflé from The Post

Chef Kevin Grossi of The Post has reimagined a classic dish with with a bold, savory twist. “I created this dish because I wanted more sweet potatoes in our lives,” Grossi says. “They’re packed with flavor but often one-dimensional, served the same way year after year. I wanted to do something different.”

Typically enjoyed as a sweet side during the holidays, Grossi’s version challenges tradition by highlighting savory flavors that surprise and delight the palate. It’s a dish that honors the familiar while inviting diners to experience sweet potatoes in an entirely new—and unforgettable—way.

Savory Sweet Potato Soufflé

Ingredients

• 2-3# Sweet potatoes (3 cups roasted potato)
• ½ cup Shredded gouda cheese
• 4 cup Grated parmesan cheese
• ½ cup Shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 each Whole eggs
• 1 ½ TB Baking powder
• 2 Tb salt
• ¼ cup thinly sliced chives
• ¼ cup Minced Sage
• 2 tb Maple syrup
• 1 tb melted Butter 

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Wrap the sweet potatoes in foil and roast for about 40 minutes. Poke with a thin knife to check if they’re cooked through.
• In a mixer with a paddle attachment, mash the sweet potatoes until smooth.
• Add the eggs to the potatoes. Once combined, add the remaining ingredients and mix for two more minutes.
• Heat a small casserole pan with a little olive oil in the bottom by placing it in the oven for five minutes.
• Carefully add the sweet potato mixture to the pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 20 minutes.
• Brush the top with maple syrup and butter, then season lightly with salt. Bake for another five minutes to form a crust.
• Remove from the oven, place on a plate with a napkin, and garnish with thinly sliced chives.

The Fisherwoman Dish from Arabesque

Sharing food means sharing culture

Food is love; it’s tradition, memory, and the stories we pass from one generation to the next. Chef Manal Jarrar, the creative force behind Arabesque, shares one of her most cherished Middle Eastern classics: the Fisherwoman Dish. Inspired by her childhood in Palestine, Jarrar infuses each plate with the flavors and aromas that filled her family’s kitchen growing up.

Her cooking bridges cultures and generations, blending her rich heritage with the comforting tastes that bring people together around the table. The Fisherwoman Dish is more than a meal—it’s a celebration of home, history, and the love that simmers in every bite.

The Fisherwoman Dish

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Rice
• 1 Large Red Onion 
• 2 fresh Cut Wild Salmon 
• 1/2 Pound Shrimp 
• 1/2 Pound Scallops 
• 5 Garlic
• Spices: Turmeric, Salt & Pepper, Olive oil , Butter, Fish Sauce, Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice, Hot Sauce and Parmesan Cheese.

Instructions

• The Wok: in a large pan add the rice with T soon of turmeric mixed put aside. 
• In a large frying pan with a medium heat add 1/4 cup olive oil 2 Tablespoons of butter, fry the scallops both sides lightly  add salt and pepper remove then fry the salmon lightly just to get some color.
• Arrange the salmon the scallops and the shrimp over the rice then add less than 2 cups of water or chicken broth . Let it boil than immediately simmer in a very low for 20 minutes or until rice is coming to top and fluffy. 
• Go back to the leftover frying pan add 2 tablespoon of butter some fish sauce 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, hot sauce, lemon juice and smashed garlic. Cook to a bit boiling then simmer.
• Cut the red onion as half circle and fry them well but not to burn dry it of oil and topping over the final dish then pour the sauce as well.

Heirloom Wheat Zucca with Roasted Butternut and Delicata Squashes From Pastifico

Co-founder of Pastificio Boulder and Chef Claudia Bouvier’s Fall pasta recipe is a love letter to her Italian and Brazilian heritage, infused with the vibrant flavors of Colorado’s harvest season. “Growing up in Brazil, the seasonal changes and available produce were quite different from what we experience here in Boulder,” she says. “After many years in America, I’ve grown to truly love Fall, appreciating the significance of the harvest’s end and the rich bounty of colors and flavors it brings.”

True to her Italian roots, Bouvier emphasizes simplicity and seasonality in her cooking. “Much like my grandparents, I prioritize fresh ingredients and straightforward techniques,” she explains. At the heart of her dish is heirloom wheat pasta, chosen for its rich flavor and its connection to farmers who protect biodiversity. The pasta is paired with colorful, seasonal squashes and prepared in a way that lets the ingredients shine.

Her favorite shape for this time of year is the “zucca,” a miniature pumpkin-shaped pasta that perfectly evokes the season. “This is the quintessential Fall pasta,” Bouvier says. “It’s a recipe I want to share with my daughters, so we can all celebrate the diverse aspects and flavors of our heritage together.”

Whether served on a casual weeknight or as a side on the Thanksgiving table, this dish embodies everything Bouvier has become: a blend of the land she loves (America), where she was born (Brazil), and the traditions she treasures (Italy). “Food tells our story,” she says, “and this pasta tells mine.”

Heirloom Wheat Zucca with Roasted Butternut and Delicata Squashes

Ingredients

• 16oz Pastificio Boulder Heirloom Wheat Zucca
• 1 ½ lbs of butternut squash, cut into ½” cubes
• 1 ½ lbs of delicata squash, cut into ½ inch rings
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ½ stick of unsalted butter
• Salt, black pepper
• Fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
• Parmigiano Reggiano (freshly grated)

Directions:

• Turn the oven on to 350°F. In separate bowls, toss the butternut squash and delicata squash with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and place on two separate parchment paper-lined baking sheets. They will roast at different times—Roast for about 30’-45’ or till golden brown. Set aside.
• In a sauté pan, and on low heat, cook butter till solids start to look golden brown.
• Cook pasta as per instructions to al dente, add to melted brown butter plus ¼ cup of pasta water. Moving the pan back and forth, and at medium heat, toss till butter and water emulsify (it will become a creamy butter sauce). Add roasted squashes, and gently combine. Plate in pre-warmed dishes.
• Sprinkle fresh sage and Parmigiano Reggiano. Serve immediately.

Molé Sauce from Summit Tacos

If you’re looking to add a little flair to your Thanksgiving turkey or any holiday poultry, mole sauce is the perfect balance of spicy and sweet to make your dinner bird truly sing. Chef Edwardo Perea, owner and culinary mastermind behind Summit Tacos in Longmont, shares a recipe that is deeply personal to him. “I created this molé from a family member who has since passed away in Mexico,” Perea says, honoring both tradition and memory with every batch.

Rich, layered, and full of complex flavors, Perea’s molé brings a taste of Mexico to the holiday table. It’s the kind of sauce that sparks conversation, warms the heart, and transforms a simple poultry dish into something unforgettable—a true celebration of heritage and family.

Molé

• Mole paste  – 2 ea
• Veggie stock  – 8 cup
• Tomato  –  4 ea
• Onion – 2 ea
• Garlic  – 2 T
• Apple peeled  – 3 ea
• Chocolate – 3 cup
• Cinnamon – 4 T
• Cumin – 2 T
• Clove – 1 t
• New Mexico chili –  4 ea
• Guajillo – 4 ea
• Piloncillo – 1 ea
• Salt to taste

Bring all to a boil, transfer to a blender, and blend thoroughly.

The post Secret Chef’s Recipes: Aim for Global Unity with These Local Chef Recipes appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Keep money in the hands of our locals by saying goodbye to greedy corporations and mass-produced products, and shopping locally. The next time you need to purchase a gift for someone, support your neighbors while boosting the local economy with our list of unique and locally made arts, crafts, and goods.  Shopping locally is more than a cute slogan; it’s a revolution and how we survive a corporate coup.

Locavore Gift Guide

1. The Boulder Flower Farm 

Flower workshop – Longmont 

Gift someone a new skill with a fun and informative flower-arranging workshop from the Boulder Flower Farm. For over 35 years, this farm and wedding venue has been providing the community with ornamental flowers. It offers the perfect opportunity to express yourself and work with a variety of colors, flowers, and textures by creating a beautiful floral design in one of their many floral design workshops. 

This is a great gift for creative-minded people.  boulderflowerfarm.com – 4114 Oxford Rd, Longmont, CO 

2. Lishma Love 

Mushroom light catcher – Online 

If you’re looking for a truly unique gift, you’ll want to look at these adorable mushroom light catchers from Lishma Love, inspired by all things fungi. Place these dainty glass mushrooms in sunlight to create a dreamy and ethereal ambiance. The cute, pastel-colored fungi hand-blown glass ornaments are more than just a whimsical gift that looks stunning in the sunlight. Part of the proceeds from the sale is donated to provide scholarships for students seeking psychedelic therapy.  lishmalove.com/shop

3. Local Books and Music

Gift Card – Erie, Lafayette, Longmont, Boulder 

Got a bookworm in your life? A gift card to any one of the local bookstores is one of the best local gifts you can give a book lover. Located in Old Town Erie is the Briggs Street Books and Music, which stocks all books and music from all genres, as well as fun bookish gifts. 

The Read Queen, in Lafayette, offers an in-house coffee shop along with a range of new and used books, furthering the gift card experience.

Composition Shop just opened in Longmont and carries a healthy selection of bestsellers, local authors, and a variety that extends well beyond romance novels.

Finally, the Boulder Bookstore not only has an extensive collection of books for any reader to find their next pick, but also events with popular authors sharing their work.   

briggsstreetbooks.com  –  615 Briggs St Unit D, Erie 

thereadqueen.com – 129 N Harrison Ave, Lafayette

compositionshop.com – 356 Main St, Longmont

boulderbookstore.net – 1107 Pearl St, Boulder

4. The Singing Cook 

Gift Card & Gifts – Louisville 

Located in the historic downtown of Louisville is a local favorite: The Singing Cook. This store is the best place to find some unique and essential kitchen items. From cool kitchen gadgets to quality bakeware, this is the ultimate place to shop for the cook in your life. You’ll even be able to find plenty of locally-made products! singingcookstore.com  – 728 Main St., Louisville

 5. Mudslingers Pottery School 

In-store creative class – Lafayette 

Got a creative person in your life? Why not gift them with a fun, creative class at Mudslingers Pottery School? This ceramic school and creative studio was established in 1997 and has since shared the love of ceramics with all who join its classes. Learn how to use a pottery wheel and hand-build some stunning pieces. There are several classes and workshops that you can purchase a gift certificate for. mudslingerspottery.com – 414 E Simpson St. Lafayette, CO

 6. Farfel’s Farm 

Trump chew toys – Boulder 

Spoil your pooch with a fun and cheeky chew toy from Farfel’s Farm. Farfel’s Farm is a unique, creative store on Pearl Street that offers high-quality pet products and services. 

Our choice of gift? These creative Trump chew dolls are durable and well-stuffed for plenty of hours of wild fun. There are some other “politically sound” dog toy options available from this store as well. The best part about letting your dog go wild on a Trump doll? The proceeds of this chew toy are used to help Farfel’s Farm & Rescue save hundreds of dogs from high-kill shelters yearly and place them in loving foster homes.  farfels.com – 906 Pearl Street, Boulder

7. Vintrey Honest Goods 

Lafayette  

Sometimes gift shopping can be hard if you don’t have a gift idea in mind. Why not take a stroll through Vintrey Honest Goods and get inspired? This small family-owned business in Lafayette stocks a wide selection of goods from local artisans. Browse through the unique vintage merchandise and small batch goods to find the perfect gift. vintrey.com  – 107 S Public Rd, Lafayette

 8. Adorn Home & Gift Gallery

Longmont 

Support the local economy and local artisans by picking a gift that is truly unique at Adorn Home & Gift Gallery. For over 17 years, this gift shop has provided a one-stop location for unique gift shopping. Don’t know what you’re looking for? That’s okay. Browse through the collections of colorful decor, pampering products, jewelry, children’s gifts, and other knick-knacks that catch your eye and will make a special gift! Browse through products from over 160 vendors!  adornadornables.com – 5480, 661 4th Ave, Longmont

 9. Thalken 

Locally-made jewelry – Lafayette 

Thalken is a locally owned and operated jewelry and gift store. What started as a presence at pop-up events grew into a friendly store that is a staple in the local community. Husband and wife duo, William and Hana, sell a wide range of perfect gift items, including Hana’s handmade jewelry, rustic and organic pottery, cozy socks, and hand-poured soap. thalken.com  – 101 1/2 E Chester St, Lafayette

 10. Boulder Free Flight 

Paragliding experience – online 

Looking for a non-traditional and thrilling gift idea for the adventure seeker in your life? Why not buy them an unforgettable paragliding experience and let them witness the beauty of the Rockies from the sky? This experience will have you flying tandem with a professional paragliding pilot, where you will get to soak in the views of the Continental Divide to the West, Boulder’s iconic Flatirons to the South, and the Great Plains to the East. This is an amazing gravity-defying experience they’ll never forget. redtailparagliding.com/tandem-paragliding-boulder

 11. Art Parts Creative Reuse Center

Gift certificate – Boulder 

Surprise the environmentally conscious person in your life with a thoughtful and sustainable gift:  a gift voucher to the Arts Parts Creative Reuse Center. Arty people, crafters, and DIY enthusiasts will enjoy browsing through the abundance of colorful art supplies from shelves brimming with colorful beads, ribbons, yarn, paints, and one-of-a-kind objects waiting to be transformed into something creative. This non-profit reuse center repurposes unused art and craft supplies to keep them out of landfills. A gift voucher for this eco-friendly store is a great way to spark creativity while supporting a meaningful mission.   artpartsboulder.org – 3080 Valmont Road, Boulder

 12. Piece, Love & Chocolate    

Chocolate making class – Boulder 

Give the chocolate lover in your life a truly unique gift: learning how to make chocolate! Piece, Love & Chocolate is a local chocolatier that has been around since 2011, and it is where all your sugary dreams come true. The classes include learning how to make handcrafted truffles, classic macarons, and baking decadent lava cakes. This is a great gift and a fun way to pick up some new skills. pieceloveandchocolate.com –  805 Pearl Street, Boulder

 13. Highland Honey

Jar of creamed honey – online 

Enjoy a spoonful of creamed honey made from local Boulder County apiaries in your cup of warm tea or in your favorite baking recipes. This creamy and rich honey is raw and unheated, so you don’t have to worry about it crystallizing. Located in the foothills and mountains of Boulder County, you can taste the complex flavors of wildflowers. This is the perfect locally-made gift for someone sweet in your life.  highlandbees.com

 14. Flatiron Pepper Co

Super hot spice set – online 

Gift the foodie in your life with a feisty spice set from locally-owned Flatiron Pepper Co. These chiles and peppers from all around the world are mixed together to create a unique blend, from mild and flavorful to rich and spicy, each with its own character. The super hot set comes with three rich and smoky flavors to enjoy on foods like pizza, pasta, steak, and any other dish you can think of. Not only is this a fantastic food lover’s gift, but it also supports a passionate local business with a bold taste.  flatironpepper.com/products/dark-smoky-2

 15. Local Coffee Producers  

Bag of coffee – Online & Local

We cannot think of a better gift for coffee lovers than a bag or two of aromatic coffee from some of Boulder’s best local producers.  Peak State’s aromatic coffee, founded by an outdoor athlete and coffee lover, harnesses the natural powers of mushrooms without compromising on flavor. 

Pauls Coffee is a Louisville and Superior favorite, Pauls Coffee is all about small-batch roasting and the kind of consistency locals swear by. Their beans are smooth, balanced, and deeply reliable — the kind of everyday coffee gift that feels both local and personal. In Louisville and now open in Superior.

Ozo Coffee long a Boulder staple with locations through Boulder and one in Longmont, has a devoted following, Ozo Coffee has built its reputation on ethically sourced beans, meticulous roasting, and a community-minded approach. Their single-origin options and seasonal blends make thoughtful, well-crafted gifts for any coffee lover.

Ampersand Coffee is another great option. Not only is their organic coffee delicious, but the Boulder business also focuses on women’s empowerment by partnering with the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA).  

Another coffee producer worth checking out is Silver Canyon Coffee. Established in 1985, they are the first small-batch, specialty roasters in Boulder. Coffee lovers will appreciate the curated selection of microlot and single-origin coffees.  

peakstatecoffee.com/collections/coffee-with-benefits 

paulscoffeeandtea.com

ozocoffee.com

ampersand-coffee.com 

silvercanyoncoffee.com

 16. Colorado Aromatics 

Bag O’ Balms – Longmont, CO 

Boulder County is home to some amazing skincare businesses, and Colorado Aromatics is a great place to do your gift shopping. Our pick is the Bag O’ Balms. This gift set comes with a knuckle balm made from calendula, myrrh, and plantain to soothe the skin. There is also a creamy foot butter made from mint, comfrey, and calendula, and a soothing lip balm made with jojoba oil and lemon. This is the perfect gift for those hot and dry Summer months in Boulder. coloradoaromatics.com/products/bag-o-balms

 17. Rebecca’s Herbal Apothecary & Supply 

Therapeutics teas and tinctures – Boulder Got a tea lover in your life? We can’t think of a better gift than tea from Rebecca’s Herbal Apothecary. The store stocks a wide range of botanical teas made from real plants and simple ingredients. Choose from sweet and light floral teas to powerful herbal teas for when you’re feeling under the weather. The range of teapots and infusers also makes for some lovely gift ideas! rebeccasherbs.com  – 1227 Spruce St, Boulder

 18. Boulder Ghost Boulder Tour 

Tickets to the haunted pub tour – Boulder 

Do something different for a gift and purchase tickets to the frighteningly exciting Boulder haunted pub tour. Visit some of Boulder’s most historic and allegedly haunted sites and learn the ghostly stories and historical background. This tour visits some of Boulder’s most haunted pubs, where you’ll get to enjoy a drink while the guides share tales of local history, myths, and legends. Bring your camera along for a night of fun, fright, and history if you dare!  boulderghosttours.com

 19. Beyond Boulder Bike Adventures 

Bike-N-Brew CruiseExplore the local breweries and disservices on a bicycle with this fun Bike-N-Brew cruise. This is the ultimate gift for someone who has always wanted to explore the iconic Flatirons and wildlife of Boulder, fueled by tastings of locally made gin, whisky, vodka, mead, or beer from each stop. This tour will take participants along a flat, paved creekside bike path for an easy ride between stops. This 3-4 hour ride is packed with fun, fitness, and fabulous spirits.  beyondboulderadventures.com – Boulder 

 20. Planks & Paint   

Crafty workshops – Broomfield  

Gift your loved one the experience of making something from scratch while learning a new skill. Planks & Paint offers a wide selection of fun and social workshops where you can learn to make crushed-glass art, signs and decor, resin art, and burn hats and decorate with wood flowers. planksandpaint.com  – 12716 Lowell Blvd, Broomfield

 21. Brewhop Trolley  

Brewery Tour

Longmont is home to some amazing brewing companies, and the Brewhop Trolley is a great way to try them all. In 2016, the Brewhop Trolley launched with a Hop-on + Hop-off loop that takes visitors to Longmont’s best tasting rooms. On this tour, visitors will get to explore the offerings from taprooms like Pumphouse Brewery, 300 Suns Brewing, Left Hand Brewing Company, and more. This is the ultimate gift experience for beer lovers!  brewhoptrolley.com – Longmont

Local Markets and Stores to Find Unique Gifts 

Although these places don’t have a specific gift item on our list, they’re a great place to discover unique and locally-made gifts that you may not have thought of before.  

 22. Old Friends 

This local Louisville gift store was opened in 2009 as a way to bring a little joy and laughter to the local community through fun cards and gifts. Fast forward 15 years and Old Friends is now a popular spot to find a unique gift. Browse through shelves of funky socks with Rocky Mountain-themed designs, fashionable jewelry, and plenty of other unique gift ideas with an emphasis on bringing joy.  oldfriendslouisville.com – 706 Front St, Louisville

 23. Boulder County Farmers Market

One of the best places to shop for local gifts is at the Boulder County Farmers Market. Twice a week, on Saturdays and Wednesdays, this market hosts a wide variety of local vendors and Colorado producers. This is the best place to visit if you’re looking for a foodies gift. Take a stroll through the market and browse through vendors selling products like fresh flowers, plants, cheese, and meat from the local farms. Your gift options are endless, with ideas like artisanal chocolate, locally-made honey, authentic pasta, decadent French cookies, and zesty pickles. bcfm.org/markets – 13th Street between Arapahoe Ave & Canyon Boulevard, Boulder 

 24. The Lafayette Flea

Thrift shopping is a great way to find a truly unique gift that matches the recipient’s personality and style. The Lafayette Flea in Lafayette is an exciting multi-dealer market that sells vintage, repurposed, and local goods inside what used to be a 60s bowling alley before being transformed into a flea market in the 1990s. Browse through an eclectic mix of clothing, funky jewelry, furniture, and other odds and ends you won’t find at a mass-produced commercial chain, which is why Lafayette Flea is a must-visit place for gift shopping.  thelafayetteflea.com – 130 East Spaulding Street, Lafayette

 25. Longmont Farmers Market 

Do some gift shopping at Longmont Farmer’s Market, which offers a fantastic farm-to-table experience. As a growers-only market, you’ll be able to purchase the freshest local produce, including freshly baked goods, Colorado meat, coffee beans, cheeses, spices, jewelry, and wine. You’ve got plenty of gift choices at this bustling market. bcfm.org/markets/longmont-farmers-market – 9595 Nelson Rd, Longmont

 BONUS! Niwot Market 

Do your gift shopping at one of the few locally-owned grocery stores in Colorado. The Niwot Market is a family-owned and operated store that is an integral part of the Niwot community. Stocking high-quality, healthy, and local products, there are plenty of great gifts waiting to be bought. There’s a wide variety of baked desserts that foodies will appreciate, natural beauty products, and handmade jewelry. Explore the tables of knick-knacks with gift ideas like candles and ceramics. niwotmarket.com – 7980 Niwot Rd, Niwot

Retailers Picks

by Yellow Scene staff

 1. Alpaca Connection

1334 Pearl St, Boulder • 303-447-2047 • alpacaConnection.us

The Pick: Handmade alpaca baby hats made by owner Lidia Holl. Price: $39.99. A luxurious alpaca wool coat with intricate embroidery, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern style.

Who It’s For: Fashion-forward and ethically conscious consumers.

Other Services: Alpaca clothing, boutique favorites, unique gifts, accessories, menswear.

 2. Boulder Philharmonic

boulderphil.org • 303-449-1343 • boulderphil.org

The Pick: Winter Wind’erland with Boulder Phil Woodwind Quintet.
Join us at charming Niwot Hall on December 10 at 6 PM for some of the season’s best merry-making: live holiday music, hands-on crafts, and cozy treats to warm your spirit!

Who It’s For: All members of the family.

Other Services: The Boulder Philharmonic offers a full season of concerts that bring our community together and keep the music alive. Student/children tickets are only $10 for most performances. Tickets at BoulderPhil.org • (303) 449-1343 • info@boulderphil.org

 3. Bricks Retail

512 4th Ave #103, Longmont • 720-680-0555 • bricksretail.com

The Pick: Sip and Shop!
Toast to holiday cheer while finding the perfect presents – because shopping for joy should be as delightful as giving it. Explore Bricks to find various gift options perfect for anyone on your list! Local shop with souvenirs, hats, shirts, candles, jewelry, toys/games and so much more. Open daily at 10am.

Who It’s For: Ideal for the holiday enthusiast who believes that every successful shopping spree deserves a celebratory cocktail!

Other Services: Gift wrapping, holiday events, gift baskets. Full food and bar at Miss Krissy’s.

 4. Energy Arts

1602 9th Ave, Longmont • 303-990-8990 • energyarts.com

The Pick: Taoist Breathing for Tai Chi and Meditation
A journey to EMBODY the Dao. Existing for more than 2,000 years, now in 250 languages, the Daodejing (Tao Te Ching) is a timeless classic. Ten years in the making and from a true insider’s perspective, passed to current lineage holder Bruce K. Frantzis by Liu Hung Chieh in the original oral tradition: “These are the words… this is what they mean… this is how to do what is proposed.” – Liu Hung Chieh, Daoist Sage.

Who It’s For: For those seeking wisdom: the Way and the Power, the philosopher in the family, and everyone you know with a spiritual bent.

Other Services: Qigong, Tai Chi, meditation, Ba Gua, Hsing-i, and Dao Yoga live classes, online programs, books, and DVDs.

 5. Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance Studio

3022 Sterling Cir Suite 150, Boulder • 303-245-8272 • frequentflyers.org

The Pick: Arts and Aerial Dance
Create and promote the magic of aerial dance through performance and education.

Who It’s For: Those who want to fly!

Other Services: Youth, teen and adult classes, performances, Aerial Dance Festival.

6. Groundworks Lab

3750 Canfield Street, Boulder • 720-379-6033 • groundworksmartlab.org

The Pick: The Annual Holiday Art Market, Dec. 13–14 from 10–5.
Come support local artists and stuff your stockings with handmade gifts for everyone on your list (throw in a lil’ something for yourself too, you deserve it).

Who It’s For: With many local artists participating, there’s sure to be something for everyone!

Other Services: Classes in wood, glass, print, clay and metal.

 7. Jax Outdoor Gear

900 South Highway 287, Lafayette • 720-266-6160 • jaxgoods.com

The Pick: Local Artisan Products
A collection of unique items crafted by local artisans, from bespoke outdoor gear to handcrafted farm and ranch supplies.

Who It’s For: Local explorer – for those appreciating the quality and authenticity of locally made products.

Other Services: Gear rentals, classes for outdoor adventures, top brand products, coffee bars, ice cream, and activities for kids.

 8. Larkridge Shopping Center

16542 Washington Street, Thornton • 303-595-9919 • shoplarkridge.com

The Pick: Your destination for shopping, dining, entertainment, and everyday services with more than 45 retailers. Here’s to a safe, healthy and happy holiday season!

 9. Longmont Downtown Development Association (LDDA)

320 Main St, Longmont • 303-651-8484 • downtownlongmont.com

The Pick: Downtown Longmont Gift Card
Downtown Longmont Gift Cards are the perfect gift! Send your loved ones on a choose-your-own-adventure of food, drink, shopping, personal services, and more in downtown Longmont!

Who It’s For: Downtown Longmont Gift Cards are the perfect gift for everyone! With more than 70 participating businesses, everyone on your list will find something they love.

 10. Longmont Museum

400 Quail Rd, Longmont • 303-651-8374 • longmontcolorado.gov/museum

The Pick: Cultural Center & Gift Shop
Discover everything the Longmont Museum has to offer, from world-class exhibitions to engaging events, programs and a local’s favorite gift shop.

Who It’s For: The curious, families, history buffs.

Other Services: Museum exhibits, retail gift shop. You can support the Longmont Museum by becoming a member, joining the giving club, making a donation, volunteering, or buying gift certificates.

 11. Longmont Theatre

513 Main St, Longmont • 303-772-5200 • longmonttheatre.org

The Pick: Local theatre company and performing arts center since 1957
Dedicated to enhancing our quality of life and fostering vibrant, active community engagement through all forms of the performing arts and live shared experiences.

Who It’s For: The theater or arts lover; local entertainment.

Other Services: Season passes, ticket sales, academy and venue rental.

 12. Motus Theater

P.O. Box 6080, Boulder • 720-432-2004 • motustheater.org

Storytelling is at the heart of what makes us human. We focus on bringing silenced histories and marginalized voices to the stage:

• Multimedia performances exploring U.S. history through the lens of race and class that expose what has been pushed to the margins of historical narratives.

• Autobiographical monologue performance projects with those whose voices have been marginalized and live on the frontlines of violence in our country.

By creating performances that illuminate foundational patterns of exploitation in U.S. history, and sharing autobiographical stories that disrupt false and dehumanizing narratives used to justify inhumane and exploitative policies, Motus supports cultural and policy shifts that uplift our shared humanity.

Tickets to a show make a great gift and we always appreciate donations.

13. Boulder Drum Shop

3070 28th Street, Ste. D, Boulder • 303-402-0122 • boulderdrumshop.com

The Pick: Yamaha Drums
Yamaha drums from Boulder Drum Shop, known for exceptional quality and durability, perfect for any genre.

Who It’s For: Rhythm maestro – for drummers seeking precision and versatility in their beats.

Other Services: Array of drums and ethnic percussion instruments, lessons, wide range of brands including Sonor, Pacific, Pearl, Ludwig.

 14. School of Rock Broomfield

West 120th Avenue Unit A & B, Broomfield • 303-325-3772 • schoolofrock.com/locations/broomfield

Drum • Guitar • Bass • Keyboard • Singing lessons

The gift of music can come in many forms, but at School of Rock Broomfield, it comes with stage performances. Our music programs for kids in Broomfield are designed to get students on stage performing, with the goal of building strong musical proficiency.

Valar-Aesthetics, Erie CO

 15. Valar Aesthetics

671 Mitchell Way Suite 210, Erie • 720-740-8980 • valarmedspa.com

The Glam Fam is our new and exciting loyalty program with TONS of great perks!
Dr. Bauer is certified in two Aesthetic Medicine Boards as well as Board Certified in Family Medicine. He has been practicing for more than a decade and brings all of his medical and aesthetic expertise to every encounter.

 16. Yellow Scene Magazine

Serving Boulder  County & the North Metro Region • yellowscene.com

The Pick: Independent local news magazine for Boulder County & the North Metro.
Give and Get Democracy – #newsCO needs.

Who It’s For: Those who care about truth and democracy.

Give & Get: When you support Yellow Scene, you strengthen democracy, keep truth accessible, and receive the magazine delivered to your home. Help us reach our goal of $5,000 — just 52 new sustaining supporters.
$8/month = $96 – fully matched during the campaign = $192.

Your contribution today ensures local journalism stays free, fearless, and people-powered. Give today and double your impact for independent news.

Other Services: Graphic design, advertising, online and event marketing, marketing consultations, SuperKids Expo event.

Restaurants

Busaba

133 S. McCaslin Blvd., Louisville
303-665-0330 • busabaco.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Taj Mahal III

1075 E. S. Boulder Rd., #145, Louisville
303-926-0999 • tajmahal3.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Jaipur Indian Restaurant

1800 Broadway Street, #160, Boulder
303-442-0999 • jaipurindianrestaurant.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Paul’s Coffee & Tea

956 W Cherry St #101, Louisville
720-259-1723 • paulscoffeeandtea.com

Gift Certificates, Gifts, Roasted Coffees and Teas

Ras Kassas

802 South Public Road, Lafayette
303-447-2919 • raskassas.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Colorado Mountain Kava

615 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont
720-833-6864 • instagram.com/mountainkava
Sober bar serving Kratom, Kava and other specialties.
Sober environment for parties, gift certificates, sober drinks.

The Sink

1165 13th St., Boulder
303-444-7465 • thesink.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

The ones who dared to fight City Hall.

When Boulder denied public access to police body-cam footage, we took it to court. Our fight for transparency is now before the Colorado Supreme Court — because accountability doesn’t stop at the city line.

Through December 31, every gift to Yellow Scene will be matched — dollar for dollar — through the Colorado Media Project’s Matching Grant.Give & Get Democracy this Holiday Season. Your $8 recurring monthly support not only gets you YS delivered to your house, but it’s matched for the entire year, bringing that $8/month to $192. 

Because Independent journalism isn’t just about telling stories. It’s about protecting your right to know, holding power accountable, and keeping democracy in the light. This is #newsCOneeds Becoming a sustaining supporter today for $8 a month! 

The post Locavore Gift Guide: How To Never Shop Corporate Again appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The post Give Life Back to Organizations Threatened by the “Nonprofit Killer” Bill: 2025 Giving Guide appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

When we live in affluent areas, people seem to think that there are no people in need, struggling in poverty. We do our best to keep people like this out of our peripheral vision. We want to believe that our wealth has been spread around equally, to all residents. Indeed, Boulder County and the surrounding areas are wealthy. Boulder County ranks as the 6th most wealthy in the state and the 60th most wealthy in the country. Why wouldn’t that wealth trickle down to the people who need it the most? Ronald Reagan promised us it would, after all, didn’t he? Well, it turns out it doesn’t actually work like that.

“If you look at all cities in the country by affluence level and measure homeless rate and graph the two together, it’s a perfect line,” explains Andy Schultheiss, chief development and communications officer at an organization called All Roads, which is formerly the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless. “So it’s the only correlation — price of housing — which, of course, goes with the affluence of the community, is the only social characteristic I’m aware of that predicts homeless rate. So the more expensive the housing is in a community, the more homeless people there are. There [are] many, many homeless people in New York and San Francisco and Los Angeles and Denver.”

How bad is Boulder’s homeless crisis?

Indeed, the homelessness rate in Boulder County is higher than you’d expect from looking around at some of the more idyllic neighborhoods. The most recent numbers from the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative found 727 unhoused individuals in Boulder County, with 193 of them experiencing unsheltered homelessness, but there are caveats around that number.

The 727 comes from what’s called a Point in Time or PIT Count, which is when one random night is picked to count all the unhoused individuals in the area. PIT Counts are the most common method of measuring homelessness in any area, but there are known limitations to them, including the fact that counting homelessness on one single night doesn’t bring into account those who are cycling in and out of homelessness during the course of the year. So 727, while already a number that’s higher than it should be, is likely a low estimate.

“At any given time in Boulder, we have around 500 more unhoused people than we have beds to serve them,” explains Lisa Sweeney-Miran, CEO of local homeless shelter and outreach program Haven Ridge. Her organization includes several different programs that house unhoused women, transgender adults, and children throughout the city and county of Boulder, but she says the need for services in the area far exceeds their capacity. “If we were able to triple in size the number of guests we take in in each program, we would still have incredibly long waiting lists. It’s almost impossible to overstate how high the need is, how many people we meet who are homeless, how many we meet who are in poverty, how many people we meet who are housing insecure, who are on the verge of losing their housing. It’s an epidemic.”

Why affordable housing won’t fix everything

According to the City of Boulder website, the city has a long-term plan to increase affordable housing in the area as part of the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. The goal for the city is for 15% of all homes to be affordable housing by 2035. The city boasts a lot of progress because, as of January 2023, they’re halfway there with 3,940 affordable homes. But how much will that affordable housing help those struggling with poverty and homelessness in the area? Considering what can be defined as affordable housing in Boulder County, making 15% of all homes “affordable” may not be as helpful as it seems on the face of it.

Lily Kapiloff, the director of development at Boulder Housing Coalition, points to the lack of actual affordable housing options, as Boulder’s high housing prices skew what can be considered affordable housing in the area. “The way the city determines what is affordable is based on median income,” she explains. “So in a place like Boulder that has so much wealth, what is considered affordable is still pretty expensive. We keep our houses on the low end of what the city requires, but housing in Boulder that can be marketed as affordable housing can still be pretty out of reach for a lot of people.”

According to the most recent census data, the median household income in Boulder County is $99,770. That’s significantly higher than the median household income for the country as a whole, which was $80,610 in 2023. That means that what Boulder County considers to be affordable housing is still more expensive than affordable housing in some other areas, with affordable housing listings on the county website listing one bedroom/one bathroom apartments at $1,642 per month. As Boulder County defines a home as being affordable if you spend 30% or less of your income on rent, one needs to be making $65,680 per year to be able to afford a one-bedroom apartment, which is over $6,000 a year more than the national average income. Someone working full-time at minimum wage in Boulder County makes $32,600 per year.

Government failure theory

Famed economist Burton A. Weisbrod did a lot of work in the 1970s explaining why voluntary nonprofit organizations even exist in the first place. Weisbrod developed the aptly-named government failure theory which suggests that governments will always cater to the demands of the median voter, thus failing to account for the demands of those who fall outside of that median range. Thus, political minorities are often ignored by the government, and the nonprofit sector is forced to step in to fulfill the needs of those who the government fails to account for.

While it’s important to note that government failure theory has a fair number of critics, it’s still easy to see, just from the statistics mentioned before on homelessness, that our government is responding to the needs of the median voter first and foremost. Even Boulder County’s affordable housing options are geared towards people who make significantly more money than those on minimum wage. While the city of Boulder pats itself on the back for making 15% of its housing “affordable,” who is there to help those for whom affordable housing is out of reach?

While it’s a shame that nonprofit organizations need to exist in the first place, the Boulder area is full of wonderful nonprofits who are offering assistance to those of whom the government has failed. Until the day comes when our government can help everyone, even the most vulnerable in our community, these organizations depend on your support to keep going.

November is typically thought of as “giving season,” both due to it being the beginning of the holiday season and because Giving Tuesday usually falls at the end of November or beginning of December. (It’s on December 3 this year.) So as you start to think about where you want to help out locally, here are a few important organizations that could definitely use your support.

Charity guide

Haven Ridge

Haven Ridge, as noted above, is an organization focused on homeless shelters and outreach, and their various programs house unhoused women, transgender adults, and children. Started in 1982 as “Mother House,” the focus of the organization for many years was on pregnant people and single parents of small children. The Mother House program still continues to this day, not only providing housing but providing support and education to help support pregnant people in need. “And we do shelter work, case management, employment counseling, housing counseling, 24/7, wrap-around services, education, everything that you can think of on that site,” explains Lisa Sweeney-Miran.

Sweeney-Miran explains that the move to expand Haven Ridge’s focus beyond pregnant people came largely out of repeated requests for other services. “Not only was our wait list for Mother House growing, but we also consistently had people who didn’t qualify for our services because they weren’t pregnant, but who were women or trans and who didn’t feel safe in traditional shelters, asking us if we could make an exception for them,” she explains. “And that was difficult. We understood that they had a need that wasn’t being met, [but] we didn’t have any additional space in our facilities. [We started] going around the county trying to get someone to open a women’s shelter because there hadn’t been any in several years, and when no one was willing to take up that cause, we asked our board for a little bit of room. On $40,000 we started an overnight program during COVID where people were sleeping on mats on the floor of a synagogue, so that we could try and find some way to meet this need.”

That overnight program at a synagogue developed into what is now known as The Lodge at Haven Ridge, an overnight shelter for women and transgender individuals. The Lodge houses about 20-25 individuals every night, providing clients with meals, case management, physical and mental health services, and a navigator to help clients develop a plan for the future.

Haven Ridge also runs its Family Donation Program where the community can donate items that would be useful to new parents in need. “Anybody in the county in need, if they need a crib, a stroller, a breast pump, formula, they can get in touch. And anything that we have or that we can source, we will donate,” Sweeney-Miran explains. In addition, their navigation program can help low-income mothers in the community find all the resources available to them to meet their needs.

The most recent addition to Haven Ridge’s services came just a few weeks ago when local homelessness outreach organization Feet Forward was brought under the Haven Ridge banner. “We know that if we don’t meet people where they’re at in both a literal and figurative sense, that we don’t have the opportunities to help in a meaningful way,” says Sweeney-Miran. “So we’re excited. Feet Forward has been doing incredible work for years, and the team there, led by Libby Ogletree, is just doing fantastic stuff. They do the Tuesday distribution in the park, and that serves about 100 people a week with meals, socks, hats, scarves, hand warmers, bottles of water, Band Aids, whatever it is that people need. And then the rest of the team, which is two and a half full-time employees, they’re engaged in peer support. So although our Tuesday distribution is the most visible, it’s really a way to [foster] trust in the community and get to know people.”

According to Sweeney-Miran, Boulder County’s funding to health services programs this year has decreased just as the organization is expanding, making monetary donations to Haven Ridge more important than ever. If you’re looking to give time rather than money, Haven Ridge can use volunteers, especially for the new Boulder Feet Forward program which is primarily volunteer driven. And, in terms of in-kind donations, the Haven Ridge website lists its most urgently needed items, which currently includes things like hand warmers, baby wipes, tampons/pads, socks, RTD ticket books, and diapers.

Boulder Housing Coalition

Back in March of this year, Yellow Scene Magazine did a feature on Boulder Housing Coalition and did an in-depth profile on their affordable rental cooperatives that have been revolutionizing affordable housing in Boulder County. “In our houses, everybody has their own private bedroom but shares all common space, pools money for food, divides up chores, cooks for each other,” explains BHC’s director of development, Lily Kapiloff. “Each house has between 12 and 25 adults living in it, and they have meetings weekly to make decisions by consensus as to how to run their home. Each house is pretty autonomous, and then each of those houses has representation on our board of directors, which meets monthly to make decisions, again, by consensus, as to how to run the whole organization and anything that affects all four houses.” With this model, even though the residents are just renting, they have what’s called “right commensurate with ownership” so they can have more authority over the building and organization.

Boulder Housing Coalition also helps residents learn new skills with its fall training series, which include social justice work and helping people understand systems of oppression, mental illness, facilitating meetings, and consensus decision making. That social justice focus in their skills training goes hand-in-hand with their commitment to creating diverse communities within their cooperatives, which are happy to embrace people of any race, gender, sexual orientation, disability status, background, and age.

The Boulder Housing Coalition may face the same funding cuts as other nonprofits in the area, but some recent changes in Colorado state law have led to the organization expanding the scope of its mission at the same time. “We started just for Boulder County,” Kapiloff explains, “and that’s been our mission statement as the Boulder Housing Coalition. And just last year, we decided to expand that mission to Colorado’s Front Range and start looking at properties beyond Boulder. And then this past spring, with the bill that passed that banned occupancy limits across Colorado, that essentially made co-ops legal across Colorado, which has been a big barrier to us. Those two things — changing our mission statement and that bil l— have opened up doors for us to expand. We’re actually under contract for a fifth house that will be our first one in Denver, and that contract closes Dec. 6.”

While the co-ops that Boulder Housing Coalition runs are largely sustained by the rents paid by residents, that doesn’t mean that the organization isn’t still heavily dependent on donations. “Right now, our model is sustainable based on residents’ rent,” says Kapiloff, “and all the residents are working with us each year to look at that budget and be like, ‘How low can we keep rent? How much do we want to allot for emergency maintenance? How much do we want to pay staff, mediators, things like that?’ The residents are all helping us crunch those numbers, and any funds that we get from donors helps take some of that pressure off and let us keep rent lower while still maintaining the buildings and making sure that everybody is safe in their home.” In addition, thanks to Colorado Gives Day, all donations through December to BHC are being boosted.

In addition to monetary donations, Kapiloff wants people to spread the word about the viability of Boulder Housing Coalition’s cooperative model. “There’s definitely still a mentality in Boulder of, ‘Do we really want these low income people living in our city? What is it going to be like if we have 20 low-income residents in a house? They’re going to take up all the parking. They’re going to have parties or be dirty or whatever it is.’ We really work hard to disprove that.” As far as the parking, Kapiloff says that people who are drawn to co-ops aren’t necessarily “car people” and BHC offers incentives including bus passes and discounted car rentals. But as far as the people who Boulder Housing Coalition brings to the area, “The people that are living in our houses are really valuable people that everyone in Boulder should be excited to welcome to Boulder. We serve a lot of teachers, artists, activists, therapists, people getting their doctorate degrees at CU, really amazing people who might not otherwise be able to live in Boulder at all.”

Broomfield United Methodist Church

As our readership often extends a little bit beyond Boulder County, we wanted to highlight another important program in the nearby area that’s doing some real good for the community. Nearby Broomfield United Methodist Church started their Colorado Safe Parking Initiative during the pandemic to provide a safe place for unhoused individuals who are living out of their car. “The simple thing is, we are a church that has a parking lot that’s primarily not used throughout the week to its fullest capacity,” explains Nathan Heimer, the church’s director of Connectional Ministries, “and we know, unfortunately that there are people that are experiencing homelessness, that are living out of their cars that needed a place to park that was safe.”

To maintain the safety of everyone involved, guests can only stay in the parking lot if they’re referred to the site by a participating service provider and must undergo a background check to ensure they’re safe to other guests and the nearby community. Additionally, the rules don’t allow drugs, alcohol, or tobacco to ensure everyone’s safety.

The parking ministry isn’t the end of what Broomfield UMC does for the community, as the church has been dedicated to helping out other organizations in the community. “One of the big things we do is called Serve Weekend,” Heimer says, “where we gather with other faith communities. This year we had 192 participants from five different faith communities, along with the city and county of Broomfield, and we served 12 different organizations within mostly Broomfield, some slightly outside Broomfield like Westminster and Arvada.”

Heimer says that the church is always accepting donations to help with things like their parking ministry, but they’re also happy to connect people who want to donate to the other organizations they work with that might be in need of money and manpower.

All Roads

Formerly known as Boulder Shelter for the Homeless, All Roads is the main homeless shelter in Boulder County that takes all adults, including those without families, who are looking for a place to stay. But the shift in name from Boulder Shelter for the Homeless to All Roads reflected the organization’s expansion into other ways of supporting those in need of housing. “Now, we actually serve more people in permanent housing, in apartments around the county, than we do at the shelter,” explains Andy Schultheiss, All Roads’ chief development and communications officer. “We are very firmly housing-first driven. What that means is, whenever we meet a homeless person who needs our help, we try and get them off the streets into housing, whether that is with a family member in a different city or with one of our housing options that we have.”

The organization runs on volunteers, with Schultheiss describing their current count of 400 volunteers as still “not enough.” But, perhaps more crucially, All Roads was hit with the same funding cuts as other organizations, and Schultheiss explains that the organization will be forced to put 20 more people back out on the streets if they aren’t able to make up the difference in funding. “It’s the most important season of giving we’ve ever had,” he urges. “We’ve got to make that money back.”

More ways to help

While we focused on organizations assisting unhoused individuals, there are still many other organizations that still largely serve the same populations in the area:

Community Food Share does really important work in Boulder and Broomfield counties, collecting unused items from grocery stores and distributing them to people who are food insecure, thus not just helping people who need food but also reducing food waste in the local community.

The Emergency Family Assistance Association provides housing for unhoused families with children as well as food, financial assistance, and case management for families struggling with poverty.

It’s important to remember that, as fortunate as many of the residents of Boulder County and the surrounding areas are financially, that fortune paradoxically creates an urgent need for many other people in the community. As the heroes that run these nonprofits swoop in to help those in trouble, they need the support of the community urgently.

The post Why a Wealthy Community Sees So Many People in Need appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

No one likes to sit in traffic, especially on the weekends, and the elitism that is seen in the sport of skiing is amplified when the anxiety around traffic is added. When looking for tips on online forums, I was met with comments such as, “Please, no one give away the shortcuts,” and “Yeah, no. Why would we want to create more traffic.” While many were protective of their workarounds and shortcuts to get up i-70, the zig-zags across frontage roads and through neighborhoods save very little time and impact the residents of those areas.

Skiing and snowboarding are one of the biggest draws to the state. Approximately 14 million people utilized Colorado mountain resorts during the 2023/2024 season, which was an arid and warm year. With the Farmer’s Almanac predicting a colder and wetter winter, visitation to the mountains could boom. While this would bolster the country’s economy, it would also put more stress on the roads and the existing traffic problem.

Stacia Sellers, the Strategic Communications Lead of Major Projects and Operations at the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), has much to consider when finding shortcuts to the mountains. “It is hard to say what weather conditions will look like on alternate routes. So we know that [Highway] 285 to Highway 9 is a popular detour route for many folks. So the issue with those corridors is that they also have unique terrain and weather conditions, especially as you’re passing over Kenosha Pass into the Fairplay area.”

While shortcuts are not a realistic time saver, there are many ways to make the most of a ski day and reduce time spent stuck on the road.

What is the Deal with Ski Traffic?

Infrastructure

To better understand the problem with ski traffic, it is essential to understand what is happening on the road. Stacia Sellers, the Strategic Communications Lead of Major Projects and Operations at the CDOT, explains, “We have a lot of really great ski resorts. We have a lot of great snow that comes in over the winter season, making it appealing for people to come and visit Colorado. We’ve also seen a huge influx in population, so many folks are moving out here up into the mountains or even in the Denver metro area and are using I-70 to get up to the mountains for a weekend getaway.”

Furthering the problem, Colorado’s winding mountain roads were not built for heavy traffic, with fewer lanes on the interstate than seen in major cities. Additional lane closures due to weather or accidents can cause multiple hours’ worth of delays and further congestion.

Tunnels

The Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel (EJMT) is a notable place for traffic delays. If the conditions are better, eastbound and westbound travelers can be backed up for quite a while. Sellers explains, “Eisenhower is a unique piece of infrastructure because you could be driving in sunny conditions on the east side of the tunnel and then head over and then exit on the west side of the tunnel and it’s snowing or vice versa, so that can create some challenges during winter weather events that can cause some traffic.” Sellers goes on to explain that CDOT also practices traffic metering on the west side of the tunnel. “This helps us to prevent an influx of cars from coming into the tunnel and everybody coming to a dead stop.”  With the tunnel being almost two miles long, it can be difficult for emergency vehicles to enter it if it is at a dead stop; the metering, while causing slowdowns on the pass, can prevent a worse disaster inside the tunnel.

Floyd Hill

Another area of notorious slow traffic is Floyd Hill. Located just past Morrison, where north, south, and east traffic combines, the interstate goes from three lanes to just two.  This merging leads to a significant slowdown and congestion as travelers fight to gain a further spot in line. CDOT is well aware of this issue and is working on a solution. Sellers explain, “We are doing an I-70 Floyd Hill project, so we’re going to be straightening out that curve, making the merge from US-6 to I-70 better to help eliminate that bottleneck, so that’s going to increase the flow of traffic.”

Avalanche Mitigation and Plowing

Dealing with winter conditions is a full-time job for CDOT in the winter. Heavy snow, sunbaked slopes, and wind can lead to the need to plow roads and conduct avalanche mitigation. Sellers explains, “We try to get the mitigation done as early in the morning as possible so as not to impact traffic. Of course, Mother Nature always has a mind of its own, so we might have to do mitigation later in the day based on what we’re seeing and what kind of snowfall is happening. Motorists traveling up during mitigation, of course, always encourage folks to practice patience as we do that. Really, for the safety of motorists, the last thing we want to see is a natural slide that we could have prevented.” Mitigation can occur on I-70, as well as Loveland and Berthoud Passes.

Short Cuts

If one chooses to utilize potential shortcuts, it is crucial to have winter supplies and plenty of gas, as amenities will be along the route.

Avoid Peak Hours

According to data from CDOT, traffic has increased by three to five percent in the past decade, with slowdowns starting as early as six in the morning. Traffic also hits a significant peak at four in the afternoon when the resorts close, with travelers spending anywhere from an hour and a half to six hours to make the regular sixty-seven-minute drive from Dillon to C-470.

Adjust your travel time.

With resorts operating at similar times, finding the perfect time to make the drive can feel futile. However, there are options to make the most of the ski day and spend time somewhere besides I-70. Leaving for the slopes earlier or later than the 6:30-9 am window can help avoid sitting in traffic, especially on a day when there is new snow and big crowds.

Ski Uphill

The COVID-19 pandemic forced skiers to get creative, causing a surge in backcountry and in-resort uphill skiing, with twenty-seven percent of skiers and riders reporting increasing their non-lift service skiing since 2019. Many resorts have leaned into this change and created designated uphill skiing areas that can be accessed before the resort opens for the day. Many i-70 resorts offer uphill access with an additional fee, accessible with a season pass or in exchange for a waiver or class. Leaning into the endurance-minded renaissance, many resorts also offer early-morning uphill races to get the blood flowing before a day of work or skiing.

Requirements and access are as follows:

Arapahoe Basin: Skiers and riders can access the mountain outside operating hours with a $29 add-on to an existing pass or a $119 season pass. The mountain also hosts an early morning race series, the Rise and Shine Rando Race, starting at 7 a.m. on Tuesdays.

Aspen Snowmass: For a $69 season pass, uphill athletes get access to the four mountains between 5:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. Dogs can even join their human companions on some uphill laps, as long as it is outside operating hours. The resorts also offer the Aspen Snowmass Skimo race series at 5 p.m. at their Buttermilk Resort.

Breckenridge/ Keystone/ Vail/ Beaver Creek: These resorts advertise similar policies with the same parent company. While they do not charge for an uphill pass, they require uphill users to purchase a parking pass, which cannot be used during operating hours or between 2 am and 6 am. Call (970) 754-1023 before skiing to get a list of open uphill trails and terrain.

Loveland Ski Area

Copper Mountain: Copper Mountain charges $79 for an uphill season pass and offers two sets of uphill routes, one during operating hours and another before/ after the resort opens. Skiers and riders using this pass can be on the trails as late as 10 p.m. and as early as 5 a.m. The Town of Frisco hosts the Mammut Uphill Race Series on Saturday mornings at Copper Mountain.

Eldora: For IKON or Eldora season pass holders, the uphill pass is free; however, it is $99 for someone not purchasing the downhill pass. Similar to Copper Mountain, Eldora offers routes for both before hours (7-9 am) and another for operating hours. Eldora holds a Rise and Grind uphill race series at 7 am on Wednesday mornings.

Loveland: For $50 for an uphill season pass, Loveland allows uphill access from 7 am to 5 pm Monday through Thursday.

Winter Park: Winter Park/ Mary Jane have historically offered uphill options, though their policies are currently under consideration. The resort does offer three moonlit uphill tours during the season.

To avoid heavy traffic, endurance-minded athletes can climb the mountains early or stay late to complete some human-powered laps on quieter slopes.

Support the Local Economy

Garrett Miller, a skier living in Golden, reports that he and his family have alternated between the IKON and Epic for several years. Last year, they primarily skied at Steamboat. With a pre-teen and a teenager; they make it a fun day for the family. “We’ll drive the Steamboat; It takes about two hours and five minutes. We’ll get up (7:35) early, we’ll go to Kremlin, we’ll stop there and get some breakfast, maybe change out of our pajamas and then you can get the Steamboat. Perhaps we get there a little bit later, but we’ll ski till they close and we’ll take our time coming home. Sometimes, if it’s a little earlier, we’ll stop in Silverthorne and get dinner.” With this schedule, Miller explains that he and his family are usually home by 8:30 pm without sitting in traffic following this schedule.

Spending money in the smaller mountain towns can make a massive difference for smaller restaurants, and while it might get one home sooner, it can make the day more enjoyable.

Ski Weekdays: Work from the Mountain

With Wi-Fi available in most mountain base lodges, the work-hard, play-hard mentality can be experienced on the same day. To avoid weekend traffic, you can load up your computer and split the day between hitting the slopes and the keyboard. Some resorts have leaned into this concept, creating co-working spaces. Copper Mountain, Eldora, Steamboat, Winter Park, Vail, and Breckenridge have designated work areas where a skier or rider can take a break from the snow and have a quiet, concentrated workplace.

Sam Bass, the marketing director at Eldora Mountain Resort, speaks to their co-working space, explaining that they might encourage the practice with so many people working remotely and already utilizing the free Wi-Fi. “Adam Kroll was a skier who noticed many people working from the base and offered to start a co-working collective. Everyone meets in a certain part of a lodge to work. It creates a safe space where you can leave your computer for a little bit while you ski, then come back and work.” For many who work from home, this can be a great opportunity to skip out on weekend traffic while meeting other athletes.

Get Environmentally Friendly

When sitting in traffic, it is essential to remember that we are the traffic. The best way to reduce traffic is to minimize the number of cars on the road. Carpooling and existing public transportation are a great place to start.

Carpool

The slopes are filled with weekend skiers, and likely, many are unknowingly neighbors. Diving into a local community to find someone to carpool with is a great way to eliminate one more car on the road. While you might need to pay to leave your vehicle at an RTD Park n Ride, parking at the Eldorado Canyon or the Wooly Mammoth lots is free.

Snowstang/ Pegasus

Snowstang is the bus from the front range/ Denver metro area to the mountains, while Pegasus is the in-town shuttle. Bob Wilson, the Statewide Communications Manager for CDOT, explains, “One bus is not going to remove tons of vehicles, but every little bit helps, especially when you’re in a situation like we are here in this state. Then, in turn, the bus also removes a lot of carbon emissions and greenhouse gasses. Plus, it can make for a relaxing ride.” Wilson goes on to say that the buses have outlets to charge devices and can give a tired passenger a chance to rest after a day of skiing or riding instead of being an unsafe driver.

Snowstang stops at Loveland, Arapaho Basin, Copper Mountain, and Breckenridge and runs most weekends between mid-December and May.

The Winter Park Express

Rocketdawg25, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In true old-west spirit, Amtrack also offers the Winter Park Express, a train that runs from Union Station to Winter Park Resort every day of the week. With this system, out-of-town travelers can ride from the airport to the mountain with one transfer, never having to rent a car.

Stay Local

A surefire way to avoid traffic on I-70 is to skip the corridor altogether. Fortunately, Colorado has many options, especially within an hour of Boulder County.

Eldora

Eldora Mountain Resort sits thirty-seven minutes from downtown Boulder, with an option to take a bus and skip the drive. While less expansive than some of the more notable resorts, Eldora is an excellent home mountain for families or laid-back skiers. Bass states, “It is not a production like going to a bigger mountain further west would be coming from the Front Range. You don’t have to worry about traffic, the high costs of gas or parking, or other associated headaches with traveling farther into the mountains. It is also really family friendly.” Bass says that his kids learned to ski at Eldora, and he always felt safe letting them ski independently since it was such a close community.

Eldora is expanding and building a new lodge, Caribou, to allow guests to spread out and enjoy a peaceful day at a local resort.

Cross Country and Backcountry

There is more than one way to climb a mountain; lifts are only sometimes needed. Beyond uphill skiing at a resort, there are also opportunities to learn and grow in the sport of backcountry closer to home. Areas such as James Peak Wilderness, Indian Peaks, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Allenspark are all fantastic places for skiers of all abilities. Before traveling in the backcountry, be sure to take a course in avalanche safety and make a plan to ski safely.

With the state continuing to grow and a cold winter ahead, ski traffic is going nowhere. However, there are ways to avoid spending your weekend alone in your car. With public transportation, creative timing, and leaning into the community, there are opportunities to make the situation better.

The post Don’t Spend Your Weekend on I-70 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Bella La Crema’s Shauna Lee Strecker’s French Bath

By Deborah Cameron

Butter is hard to escape during the holidays. It’s in mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, and pie crusts. It’s on carrots and under your turkey skin. But there’s a byproduct of butter creation — buttermilk — which makes an unexpected holiday preparation. Shauna Lee Strecker, the self-trained churn master and owner of Longmont’s Bella la Crema Butter Shoppe and Dairy Market, uses it for her days-long holiday turkey presoak.

True buttermilk is the result of the chemical reaction that happens when liquids left over from the butter-making process are left to ferment. After fermentation, Strecker seasons her buttermilk for several more days with herbes de Provence, garlic, and peppercorn and then allows the turkey to soak in it for 24 hours or longer. She’s nicknamed this preparation a French bath, and it results in a more tender and flavorful turkey. She’s planning to serve it to guests this year.

A large part of the soak’s result is using traditional or cultured buttermilk, not those derived from powders or the acidified varieties that transform milk by using vinegar, lemon juice, or another acid. The traditional version is best at pulling impurities out of the meat and contains lactic acid which tenderizes the protein while imparting flavor from the herbs.

The technique has long been used to prepare fried chicken, but pork, lamb, and beef filets also work well, making it ideal for a Christmas Eve roast. Strecker had smaller portions of the French bath available at Bella La Crema’s storefront but was considering offering 5-gallon buckets of the preparation, with room for the turkey. In either case, the protein should rest in the herbed buttermilk for at least a day, extending another day or two if possible.

Strecker has been around the Boulder County area for a while. She came to her current location after working in Lyons, where she churned in the space that currently houses Theo Adley’s Marigold restaurant. It was there that diners first engaged with her cultured butters, melded with both sweet and savory herbs. Now she makes butter weekly in a larger stainless steel churn or, alternately, an oversized proudly pink mixer, the type that bakeries often use to make dough.

She offers as many as 21 butters at a time. I tasted herbes de Provence butter and a sea salt variety that I preferred for its creaminess and the nuances of the salt. Another butter contained rose petals, lavender, vanilla, and nutmeg, and a fourth had chocolate, coffee, cinnamon, and cayenne. If guests visit Bella La Crema, they can get a tasting of them as a butter flight, sampling them at a counter lovingly called a butter bar. If they’re able to have all 21 flavors, Strecker calls it a “21-butter salute.”

Guests of the shop can taste the butter in the same way connoisseurs taste a wine, craft beer, or spirit — as an experience. The tastings are popular and can take some time. “People will start pulling out every single ingredient in the butter. Sometimes they’re surprised by the finish, which isn’t what they expected. It’s an experience. It’s a slow, wonderful process where people can think about what’s in their mouth. Sometimes we’ve even seen people cry,” Strecker remarked.

Artisan butters can elevate holiday dinners. Using Bella La Crema’s Song of India (blended with cardamom, cinnamon, honey, and spiced orange) as a sauté for pie apples inherently changes the character of the dessert. Serving a butter flight as an appetizer, almost like a cheese board, is an unexpected treat that can get guests talking about something other than politics, religion, or football. There’s a bourbon-forward butter called Hollidays Bourbon (named after Doc Holliday and containing molasses, maple, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, and Bourbon) that could be dropped into after-dinner coffee or hot buttered rum. “Think about butter as in rather than on. It’s a great delivery system for flavor,” suggests Strecker.

In the end, it’s worth considering that Strecker’s holiday secret chef recipe is less about a culinary technique and more about something else — prioritizing slowing down and taking time. Time to churn for the richest butter. Time to consider how to impart flavor in new ways. Time to soak a turkey in buttermilk. Time to enjoy a meal with those we care about, talk, and connect. Perhaps her recipe and other suggestions she has for using butter during the holidays speak to this more than anything else.

Lemon Olive Oil Cake with Blueberry Sauce

By Charlotte Piper

Frasca Food and Wine’s chef de partie, Rachel Garcia, wants to help you make new holiday memories with her delicious cake recipe.

Recently, Yellow Scene sat down with Garcia to sample her traditional lemon olive oil cake with blueberry sauce. During the conversation, we covered her life working as a chef de partie and how traditional holiday cuisine varies by culture and tradition.

Garcia expressed a love for food from a young age. Her first affinity was for baking and pastry but she found herself in culinary school, working to gain experience while she was attending school. Her initial foray into the culinary world began with working an externship in Beaver Creek. Gaining experience in both fast casual and fine dining restaurants in her formative chef years led Garcia to develop a specific love for fine dining. She now works as chef de partie at Frasca Food and Wine, which is currently celebrating its own milestone: twenty years serving the community of Boulder. Garcia is in charge of making pasta for Frasca Food and Wine, but still loves a good dessert.

The chef says that the best holiday traditions are those that you create with your loved ones, and many of them involve food, albeit not every holiday recipe may be typical. While each holiday commonly involves the gathering of loved ones around the table to eat, the food can definitely vary from culture to culture. “I have always enjoyed the combination of lemon and blueberries,” says Garcia, when reflecting on this recipe. Lemon, blueberries, and almond, which are the primary flavor profiles of the cake, are such a classic combination of flavors which tend to be a hit, no matter the holiday function.

“This cake is very easy to make, which is why I like it alot. It is super simple and straightforward,” says Garcia.

Thanksgiving Bar Desserts by Stacy’s Kitchen

By Deborah Cameron

Some people look forward to their Thanksgiving pies all year long. Maybe it’s an old family recipe that brings back cherished memories. Maybe it’s the only time of the year pumpkin pie crosses their table. Maybe they’re just a creature of habit.

However, for every person who looks forward to their annual pie slice (or slices), there may be someone else who is too full to indulge but feels obligated. Or a reluctant pie baker with a packed schedule who would have appreciated permission to not pull out their rolling pin this year. For all of those people, Stacy Gustafson of Stacy’s Kitchen in Old Town Erie has another option: the bar dessert. “They’re just good. And pecan bars have plenty of pecan pie filling and shortbread. It’s that simple and perfect for the holidays.”

Gustafson opened Stacy’s Kitchen a little more than two years ago and, since then, has been keeping the community fed with baked goods (including New York-style bagels), thick Italian sandwiches, and soups. During the holidays, she does bake her fair share of pies for customers’ tables, but she also loves her bar cookies. The three she suggests for Thanksgiving are her pecan pie bars, cranberry bars, and seven layer bars.

Both the pecan pie bars and cranberry bars are made with a shortbread crust. “It’s so simple — just flour, powdered sugar, and butter. I taught it to someone one time, and when I explained it to them, they couldn’t believe that’s all there was to it.”

The beloved seven layer bars are full of graham cracker, toasted coconut, and sweetened condensed milk. “I make those every year at Christmas. I’ve been making them forever. It was my grandmother’s recipe. I make it the same way as the traditional recipe, but I don’t put nuts in mine. I like it without better.”

Whether she is creating pies or assembling layers of bar desserts, Stacy’s Kitchen comes alive during the holidays. “We do hundreds of pies, and everyone looks forward to making them the week before Thanksgiving. We’re not open for regular business. Last year, we had a good time. It was insane and busy and a lot of work. But someone said to me, “I can’t wait to do all of the apples this year.”

Overall, the holidays are special to Gustafson: “I love spending time with family and having that quiet time at home. And on Thanksgiving, I cook all of it — for everyone. I won’t go anywhere else.”

Chef Kyle Brate’s Cranberry Buttermilk Pie

By Ryan Sullivan

Desserts are unquestionably the best part of a Thanksgiving meal, and for those who doubt it, here’s the evidence: they still inspire a ravenous appetite even after everyone has had a heaping plate of dinner.

Pies like pumpkin and pecan usually take center stage, but occasionally, someone will go out on a limb and make a unique pie—salted honey, caramel pear, orange meringue, goat cheese and fig. Sometimes they work; sometimes not so much. But Chef Kyle Brate from Piripi brings generational knowledge to his cranberry buttermilk pie, which combines fresh, tart cranberries with the creamy tang of buttermilk. 

Brate drew inspiration from his grandmother, who used to make buttermilk pies for special occasions. “My favorite pie is buttermilk,” he explained, “and I adapted that for Thanksgiving.” The pie is an homage to tradition with a seasonal twist.

Starring in the dish is perhaps the most controversial of Thanksgiving ingredients: the cranberry. While opinions are often divided on the contrast of flavors it brings to the dinner plate, Chef Brate satisfies everyone by featuring it in a dessert. Fresh cranberries—never canned—bring an undeniable tartness and sweetness within milliseconds of the pie hitting your tongue. Real buttermilk is essential for the pie’s texture and tangy flavor, honoring the pies Brate’s grandmother made during his childhood. To bring these elements together, he carefully layers the flavors and adjusts the sweetness to complement the cranberries’ natural tartness.

Another thing Brate learned from his grandmother is that buttermilk pie is versatile. He experiments with different variations throughout the year, such as strawberry rhubarb buttermilk pie in the summer. The flexibility of the recipe allows for creativity, building on the buttermilk base to showcase different seasonal ingredients. This experimentation is in Chef Brate’s nature: “I like to experiment with ingredients and flavor profiles I’m not accustomed to,” he said.

When the pies are brought out and uncovered after the Thanksgiving feast, oohs and aahs can usually be heard around the room, and kids start emerging from wherever they were hiding. Everyone chooses big slices or small slices of one type—or two, or three. Brate suggests accompaniments for his pie: either a dollop of cinnamon whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The cranberry buttermilk pie embodies both tradition and innovation. It reminds us of an important truth this holiday season: we can give thanks for everything that came before us while embracing what the future holds, together.

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The post 4 Secret Chef Recipes for the Holidays appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Every year, Yellow Scene Magazine rounds up the best of our local community with our Annual Locavore Holiday Guide. This year, we give an extra focus on eco-giving, including how to host an eco-friendly party.

Hosting an eco-friendly party

Parties are notoriously wasteful, often resulting in piles of trash and excessive food waste. They’re a marker of overconsumption and consumerism across the country. While an essential part of supporting planet health is to reduce overconsumption and reuse materials that are available to us, there are still lots of approaches that contribute to better spending habits. Here are a few ways to become a more eco-conscious party host and a list of local eco-friendly gifts you can bring to support a green future.

Hosting an eco-friendly party is not only better for the environment, but it’s also likely to be more cost-effective since it commonly involves recycled or renewable strategies. Common tactics that eco-conscious hosts might implement could include repurposing items like bed sheets and turning them into table cloths or napkins and prioritizing seasonal food ingredients. Additional ways to host an eco-friendly party include:

1. Sending digital invitations instead of paper invitations

Snail mail is cute, but delivering it isn’t exactly carbon effective. One way that eco-conscious hosts can cut down on energy expenditure is by sending digital invitations on platforms like Paperless Post or Evite. The other perk of using this method is that your friends and loved ones don’t have to wait to get a notice in the mail.

2. Use sustainable decorations to reduce waste

Everyone loves balloons and paper garlands, but the reality is that those types of decorations quickly end up caught in a tree or nestled in a landfill, wearing out their welcome long after the celebration concludes. Fortunately, you don’t have to entirely give up on decorations to host an eco-friendly party. Instead you might use eco-friendly lights to brighten the space, natural decorations like evergreen needles, and renewable textiles to bring joy to the event. This is a great way to hone your creativity while supporting positive outcomes for the planet.

Over the years, balloons have been used as a symbol of celebration, contributing to a festive feel. Yet the reality is that balloons are simply not eco-friendly. In fact, balloons frequently contribute to pollution since they often escape from the hands of the person that carries them, floating into a nearby tree. The materials out of which they are constructed are also not biodegradable, which means that once they end up in that tree (or a landfill), they generally stay for a long, long time. Balloons also use helium, which is not a renewable resource. Instead of using balloons as a decoration, celebrations could be marked with items like lanterns or paper balloons.

3. Use reusable or compostable dishes and cutlery

We know. Using reusable dishes and cutlery increases the amount of work that the party host has to do once the event is finished. But the environment will thank you for keeping those paper plates out of landfills. If reusable dishes and silverware are simply not an option, an alternative could involve the use of compostable plates and forks.

4. Avoid single-use drinks

One of the biggest and most obvious contributors to party waste comes from single-use drinks. While soda cans and water bottles provide convenience, the grab-and-go style comes at a cost to the environment. One way to avoid this reality is by opting to use reusable cups and bulk drinks such as those that come in 2-liter or gallon-sized containers. You might even encourage your guests to bring their own cups — they’ll be able to keep track of which drink is theirs, and you’ll have fewer items to wash.

5. Serve local food

The more local the food, the better it is for the environment. This could mean working with a local catering company, encouraging guests to bring their favorite homemade dish, or buying from farmers markets and local grocers to reduce the amount of travel your food does before it gets to you.

6. Go meatless

Let’s face it: Meat is delicious, but it comes with a pretty significant impact. Not only does the production of it come with substantial greenhouse gasses, but it also contributes to deforestation. In fact, meat alone contributes to 14.5% of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions. While we recognize that not everyone has the ability or desire to go completely meatless, reducing meat and dairy consumption can help to reduce the global carbon emissions footprint. Instead, party people might prioritize a vegetarian or vegan spread using local ingredients for the greenest approach.

7. Encourage carpooling

While carpooling isn’t always an option, sometimes it is! Cutting down on the energy consumption it takes to make it to a specific destination is a great way to keep in alignment with the environment. This could mean renting a bus for a day or simply pairing friends and family together for more effective travel. Two or more passengers qualifies for high-occupancy vehicle lanes, getting to your destination more quickly, and fewer cars mean less parking hassle.

Eco-Friendly Gifts

In the pursuit of a greener planet, another great way to support sustainable parties is by bringing conscious gifts. Items that work to reduce long-term carbon footprints like travel mugs or glassware are a great option. Those who are looking for local gifts might also consider:

Kantha Napkins – Fair Trade Winds sells napkins that are upcycled from saris. The patterns and cotton construction make for a durable, long-lasting gift with a bit of flair and color. Plus they can be purchased as singular napkins or in packages of four, making it easy to customize each gift. They are even machine washable, which makes the clean up process simple, as well. fairwindstrade.net • 1219 Pearl St, Boulder

Gift Card to a Local Bulk Food Store – The Nude Foods Market is best known for its bulk foods. With over 1800 items for sale, the store allows shoppers to grab essential items in large quantities, cutting down on packaging and allowing you to use your reusable bags and containers. An eco-friendly gift could involve the purchase of a gift card to this store, contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions.

nudefoodsmarket.com • 3233 Walnut St, Boulder

Boulder, Colorado Tote Bag – Reusable bags are all the rage. With the elimination of single-use plastic bags in Colorado, more people are switching to well-made reusable bags. For this reason, the Hey Mountains Boulder, Colorado Tote Bag makes a nice, sustainable gift option for the eco-conscious giver. heymountains.com

Sustainable Slow Fashion – Fast fashion is all the rage, but Glenn + Glenn slows it down with tailored, classic apparel pieces for women. So, instead of ending up in the landfill, this style of clothing is quick to become a staple garment. Glenn + Glenn clothing sources materials from iconic textile locations like Italy and Japan. The fabric is then processed in women-owned locations in both New York City and Colorado. The result: conscious, kind, and classic products that bring a smile to anyone’s face. glennglennapparel.com • 1035 Pearl St, Boulder

Local Tea & a Tour – Remember what we said about local food? The same theory should be applied to beverages. But Colorado locals are in luck, because Celestial Seasonings is right here in Boulder. As a matter of fact, Celestial Seasonings has been around for more than 50 years, and is rooted in herbal tea. From the start, the company aimed to provide healthier tea options – a tradition that continues even today. celestialseasonings.com • 600 Sleepytime Dr, Boulder

Alpaca Connection is a Boulder-based company that operates with a conscious ethos. An inherently sustainable material, alpaca wool has a much lower carbon footprint than synthetic or even merino wool materials. The materials are also often biodegradable and durable, and Alpaca Connection sells high-quality clothing, home goods, toys, and gifts. These are the type of clothing items that remain life-long staples in any woman’s closet. alpacaconnection.us • 1334 Pearl St, Boulder

Knowledge is power. This is a concept that’s generally attributed to Francis Bacon, but the idea highlights the importance of education. Longmont’s Barbed Wire Books is a great place to get your literary fix, and the sustainably-conscious buyer can prioritize the purchase of used books over new ones. This new and used bookstore also has a trade process that allows bookworms to bring their own books to the shop for store credit. Trade credit can only be applied to used book purchases, further prioritizing sustainable efforts. barbedwirebooks.org • 504 Main St, Longmont

Flea markets often feature some of the world’s greatest treasures as well as oddities. Since these markets help reduce waste by reusing and repurposing already manufactured materials, they offer a great shopping option for those who love stumbling upon a surprise and those who want to reduce production across the planet. The Lafayette Flea Market is a great local option for flea market lovers. thelafayetteflea.com • 130 E Spaulding St, Lafayette

Old Friends in Louisville was born out of the idea of bringing joy and laughter to the area with clever gifts and gift cards. Today, the shop features a majority of local products with an emphasis on laughter and quirkiness. Some popular gifts that the store offers include Colorado socks and mountain jewelry. oldfriendslouisville.com • 706 Front St, Louisville

Erie’s Bridge Refill Market works diligently to reduce the use of plastic by providing shoppers with bulk refill options. Customers weigh their own containers that they bring before filling it with the product of their choice, purchasing just the contents of the jar. Like Nude Foods Market in Boulder and Simply Bulk Market in Longmont, Bridge Refill Market also provides bulk foods and other items like tea, spices, and cleaning supplies. The store also offers gift cards that make a great option for the eco-conscious gifter. bridgerefill.com • 285 Cheesman St, Erie

Boulder’s Classic Facets is an iconic vintage and estate store that provides unique rarities, ranging from the Georgian era to the Art Deco and modern periods. While the store isn’t the best option for those on a budget, it does provide an eco-conscious option since its emphasis is on vintage products. classicfacets.com • 942 Pearl St, Boulder

Longmont’s Absolute Vinyl is a local treasure that features a wide array of records and stereo equipment for the music lover. Open since 2009, this shop is both quaint and classic. While the vinyl market is a niche, it is eco-friendly, and it brings a warm, analog sound and vibe to the party. Instagram • 319 Main St, Longmont

Bricks on Main Street features souvenirs and gifts from dozens of Colorado-based companies, including t-shirts and specialty foods. The business often brings local musicians in to entertain visitors, and it hosts open mic and karaoke nights as well, making it a must-see stop in the area. bricksretail.com • 471 Main St, Longmont

Finally, Maker General is a Longmont-based store that features an array of hand-picked goods from local providers. The result is an eclectic store with unique items that range from homemade soap to embroidery kits. We also love that this store offers classes to those who want to learn how to sew and make their own products. A lost skill in most households, sewing better allows the eco-conscious person to repair and reuse clothing and items that they already have. What better way to support a sustainable and green planet? makergeneral.com • 381 Main St, Longmont

Yellow Scene Magazine maintains very strict editorial standards. We do not accept payment for our stories.  The writer chose the businesses featured here, and we paid our writer to create this story. YS receives no monetary compensation for featuring local businesses that fit our storyline. It’s really sad we have to explain that. Concerned about maintaining local journalistic integrity? Support your local indie, $8/mo or more gets the printed copy delivered to your home and helps to keep communities informed.

Looking for additional ways to shop local? Check out our past Locavore Gift Guides.

Locavore Gift Guide: Sustainable, Local & Meaningful

This one is HUUGE!

Community over CEOs: Local Retail Guide 2022

Like journalism like this? Consider becoming a sustaining supporter (and get our printed copy monthly at home.)

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

The post Locavore Holiday Gift Guide; Eco-Friendly Ways to Host a Party and Green Gifts to Bring appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The pandemic and ensuing inflation crisis have been hard on the average person, but not to much on the ultra wealthy. With record corporate profits, there is no need to line the pockets of the wealthiest any more than they already are this Holiday season.

Fight inflation and corporate greed by keeping money in local hands. An OxFam report shows the richest 1% of the globe added $26 trillion to their accounts over the last two years, and the Walton family — whose fortune came from Walmart — added $8.5 billion in 2022 alone. “While ordinary people are making daily sacrifices on essentials like food, the super-rich have outdone even their wildest dreams,” Gabriela Bucher, executive director of Oxfam International told CNN.

Showing solidarity and support for neighbors who have local businesses and create local art and goods for the community is more important than ever. Here are some of the top sustainable local gifts to buy, places to donate your money, and markets to shop at. Get in the season and shop guilt free knowing you aren’t contributing to the corporatization of the nation.

Bloomin

Seed Paper – Boulder

Inviting someone to a Holiday party? Throwing a birthday and need to send out invites? Sending thank yous to all your gift givers? Seed paper is the ultimate way to entice your guests to not only remember your event or truly thank someone, but also to bolster the environment. Plantable paper sprouts after it is returned to the earth with several options for which type of plant you want to see sprout when the sun returns.

Colorado Hemp Honey

CBD Hemp Honey Jars – Parker

What could be more relaxing that sipping a cup of tea infused with CBD Hemp Honey on a lazy Holiday evening? Get the ultimate relaxation gift and slip into the spirit — without any alcohol needed — with this incredible gift. Choose flavors from elderflower, ginger, lemon, and more.

Front Range Anglers

Fishing Rod – Boulder

There is likely nothing more sustainable than eating what you catch. Give the gift of a connection to the outdoors, the search for adventure, the pleasure of boredom, and the connection to mother nature that only catching a fish can bring. The benefits of being in nature, regardless of catching anything that day, vastly outweigh the cost of the gear.

Honest Soap Company

Handmade natural soap – Online

Staying clean is important, but so is making sure you’re not polluting your body or the environment with harmful chemicals and unnatural ingredients. Feel fresh with a clean conscious by gifting sustainable soaps this season with incredible scents ranging from Eucalyptus Goat’s Milk Agave to Geranium Bourbon.

Green Girl Recycling

Monthly Residential Recycling – Regional

Looking for something non-traditional for an environmentally conscious person in your life? Buy them a way to ensure their electronics and other goods are recycled in a way that is best for the planet, not for profits. Plus, you get an end of year report of just how much of an impact you made on your green footprint via recycling with Green Girl.

Able to Sail

Sailing Lessons – Longmont

For a gift that will give over and over again, help someone you love connect with nature in a unique way while also building confidence in themselves. Diane at Able to Sail will build character and impart skills that will last a lifetime and take you places, literally. Plus, the LGBTQ+ Camp option helps everyone feel included and safe.

Wild Bear Nature Center

Make Your Own Chocolate Kit – Nederland

Not only does making your own chocolate come with it’s own tasty reward, but connecting with how food is made, what ingredients go into it, and the labor it takes are great ways to introduce someone to home cooking and sustainable food. Plus supporting Wild Bear Nature Center means your money also goes towards wildlife conservation and supporting summer camps, among other activities.

Brewhop Trolley

Holiday Light Tour Tickets – Longmont

Get in the Holiday spirits by jumping on the Brewhop trolley, sipping something cold, and enjoying show of lights. Not only does the trolley eliminate the need for a designated driver, it saves on gas by not having to drive from bar to bar on your own. Running on a continuous loop stopping at each location for an hour, hop on enjoy the ride.

Boulder Jewish Community Center

Join the Goat Co-op – Boulder

Nothing inspires passion more for connecting with nature and supporting animals than taking care of a farm animal. The JCC offers shifts at the Goat Co-op to feed, care for, and connect with animals that provide us with so much. The ideals of a cooperative community farm also help illuminate a path towards more sustainable and less corporate food.

Beyond Nature

Bird Bath – Erie

It is healing to simply sit outdoors and take in your surroundings. Encourage yourself to do so more, and help keep our feathered friends well watered by grabbing one of the unique bird baths from Beyond Nature. Using all locally upcycled materials, these pieces are perfect for the garden or yard and perfect for the planet as well.

Sustainable Village

Blumat Drip Irrigation System – Boulder

With water rates skyrocketing and no end in price rises in sight, it may be time to plan for the future for your wallet and the planet. Blumat Drip Irrigation systems efficiently water your yard and garden without wasting Colorado’s most precious resource — water. Whether you are gardening in a greenhouse, indoors, or outdoor, there is a perfect irrigation system for you.

Local Sustainable Businesses, Charities and Nonprofits

Although these locations did not have specific gifts on our list, we recommend taking a look at what these businesses, charities, and nonprofits have to offer if you are interested in giving green this winter season. Another great gift idea for the person who has everything already is to make a donation in someone’s name towards a nonprofit aligned with their goals.

Eco-Cycle 

Boulder

Not a green bike shop, Ecocycle nonprofit aims towards a Zero-Waste future by recycling, composting, and reducing plastic use as some of their main goals. One of the best ways to push back on climate change is to stop producing so much plastic and single use items. Eco-cycle believes there needs to be a partnership between individuals, businesses, and the community in order to make a wholesale difference from the local level on up.

Green Latinos

Boulder

Want to fight climate change and racial injustice at the same time? Green Latinos is the place to donate or support. Instead of giving material things this season, make an actual difference by empowering an organization to continue their important mission of bringing justice of all kinds to our communities.

The Natural Funeral

Lafayette

The ultimate commitment to living a green life is also having a green death. The Natural Funeral offers numerous options for returning to the earth when the time is right. Although not the most joyous gift, the Natural Funeral is so unique and offers resources, packages, and explanations for making the transition from life to back to the earth we came from we felt we had to include it on the list of local sustainable businesses.

Berkelhammer Tree Experts, Inc.

Boulder

Berkelhammer understands trees and the life systems that surround and support them. Offering standard services as well as invasive species treatments for Emerald Ash Borer bugs, they will not only make your yard look incredible but help keep local plant species thriving by reducing these harmful pests.

The Flower Bin

Longmont

Who doesn’t love plants? Give the gardener or succulent enthusiast in your life the perfect gift and support a locally owned and operated garden center. Plus, poinsettias! This is the perfect place to not only snag a present but also to decorate your own space with live Christmas trees, wreaths, and more. Shopping local is nothing new for The Flower Bin, they’ve been living that motto for over 50 years now.

Bricks Retail

Although “Miracle on 4th St.” will be over by the time you read this, Brick’s is still the best place to buy local year round. They are hosting more pop-up markets (see below) throughout the Holidays but you can’t go wrong shopping at their brick-and-mortar location either. From food items to vintage signs, you’ll find something quirky, unique, and more importantly, from Colorado, here for anyone on your gift list.

Hope’s Storehouse

Longmont

Hope’s is a place for, well, hope. They offer consignment items looking for a second life, sure, but they also provide a food bank, community resources, and a place to go to feel welcomed away from home. Give a gift with meaning by supporting a local business that gives back instead of ordering something off Amazon.

The Pros Closet

Louisville

Riding a bike is already an incredibly sustainable and eco-friendly way to get yourself around town, but when it’s time for a new ride maybe rethink purchasing a new bike, and go with a great quality used one instead. The Pros Closet helps cyclists stay even more in tune with the environment by reselling high end used bikes that are in great shape.

Little Horse Books & Vintage

Louisville

Old books and vintage items just go hand in hand. If you have a friend or loved one who loves to collect those items others have discarded, Little Horse is the place to grab it. Spend some time here sorting through the hidden treasures, turn the pages of an old book, and you’ll see the magic of vintage, thrifting and collecting second-hand items as well.

Thorne Nature Experience

Boulder

Thorne Nature Experience provides youths with a hands-on connection to nature via summer camps, early childhood education, and community programs. This connection to nature can inspire a lifelong love for preserving wilderness, helping animals, and reducing pollution that a classroom simply cannot fulfill.

Holiday Markets

Adams County Historical Craft Show

Dec. 2 – 9755 Henderson Road, Brighton

Everything for sale here is made by hand and part of the proceeds go to help the Adams County Historical Society as well. Buying local, thinking sustainable, and supporting historic preservation are all great reasons to come, but giving a handmade one-of-a-kind gift full of time and devotion is what really impresses this holiday season.

Brick’s Pop-up Market

Everyday – 471 Main St, Longmont

Bricks is hosting a pop-up market from now through December that include food, shopping, and entertainment throughout the opening. Offering 100 local Colorado brands, the pop-up is open every day from 10am until 8pm, except for Sundays where they close at 5pm. Bricks takes the guesswork out of giving local.

Boulder Holiday Gift Festival

Dec. 10 – 2850 Mapleton Ave, Boulder

Free concerts starting at noon, over 100 vendors, and local crafts all make the Boulder Holiday Gift Festival the place to find yourself on Sunday the 10th. Located at the Boulder YMCA, this indoor market will be here regardless of the weather.

Erie Highlands Arts & Crafts Festival

Dec 2 – 185 Highlands Cir, Erie

Swag bags, hot pepper jams, and food trucks all help make this an event, not just a time to shop. Free admission and live music also make the whole gift buying experience even better. Find a local craft, perfect gift, or unique item for  under the tree or in the stocking.

Winter Market

December 2-3 Boulder County Fairgrounds, Longmont

No winter season is complete without strolling through a winter market, warm drink in hand, searching for that perfect present for that special someone. Boulder County’s Winter Market is a great spot to take in the sights and sounds, but also snag a gift. Be sure to stop by.

Art & Gift Sale

Dec 3 – Lafayette Public Library, Lafayette

Mental Health Partners and the Lafayette Public Library are partnering together to offer a local gift and art market. Support an incredible cause and find a gift that resonates in a unique way at this healing through art event.

The post Locavore Gift Guide: Sustainable, Local & Meaningful appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Food is one of the best ways to both connect with culture and memory. Certain meals become ingrained in your soul, the smells taking you back to time long ago, the flavors inviting you in. Holiday food especially holds such a meaningful place in our minds. We had four local chefs recreate a holiday meal that was personally meaningful to them, and share stories about family get-togethers, fond memories, and cultural traditions as they shared the table with our writers.

Chef Nelly Genisson: Gluten Free French Buche de Noel | Yule Log

BY: Deborah Cameron

Chef Nelly Genisson relocated to Boulder from Fontainebleau, France in 2020, settling into the area with her husband in the middle of the Covid pandemic. It was a chaotic time, but once she settled, she was more than eager to share her culinary expertise, creating French cooking that is keto-friendly, diabetic friendly, and even can be low carb, low sugar, and gluten free.

This past September, she opened a cooking school, Bonjour Keto, where her extravagant, consciously made food is available to the area’s health-conscious residents. She appreciates how choices in ingredients and food preparation can be part of a lifestyle and can help people lose weight, enhance athletic training, help manage diabetes, or prevent cancer. She believes it’s possible to indulge and enjoy life while making positive choices.

Overly heavy cooking doesn’t have a place at Bonjour Keto. Instead, Genisson has shown that French food can be both indulgent and, when simply prepared, in sync with dietary restrictions and inspire a love for France and French cooking. “Our cooking classes are unique and immersive. They go beyond just learning to cook and talk about French history and gastronomy while offering an immersive, sensory experience.”

Genisson said that one of her favorite items to make during the holidays is inspired by an old French tradition, the Yule Log Cake, or Bûche de Noël. It originated in France during the mid-19th century and is traditionally a jelly roll-style cake decorated to look like the yule logs that have been part of European Christmas celebrations for centuries.

“French people are picky about their pastries, but everyone is always surprised that something so decadent is sugar free. It’s one of my favorite compliments.”

“One of the Christmas traditions for dessert at Christmas is a Yule Log cake,” she said. “It’s something everyone has as the centerpiece of their holiday meal. The one that I make includes different tricks to make it gluten free, healthier.”

Genisson makes her rolled sponge cake, fills it with buttercream, then ices and decorates it to mimic the bark of the Yule log. It’s a chef’s challenge to work towards making the cake look as realistic as possible. She accepts the challenge gladly and healthily, using a fork to create the bark lines on the outside of the roll and adds a final touch — mini homemade dark chocolate bars and chopped toasted hazelnuts.

She said that while the sponge and buttercream can use a variety of flavors, one of the most popular is chocolate cake and a mocha frosting combination. She keeps her version gluten free by using hazelnut flour for the sponge cake and creates the homemade almond-hazelnut praliné buttercream that is sugar-free.

No surprise, Genisson is picky about how her cake looks. “First impression is so important. When you see something, you’re either going to want to eat it or not,” she said, adding that although it looks hard to make, the cake doesn’t have to add stress to the holiday. “If you want to prepare it ahead of time, prevent stress in the kitchen, it’s perfect. Just make it in advance, it will keep. It’s so simple to do but will add to the beauty of your holidays.”

And each holiday, Genisson’s family appreciates her work to make the cake.

Chef John Bauer honors Jewish Cuisine and the connection it serves

BY: Chris Curtis

Traditions. During the holiday season, traditions surge to the forefront of everyone’s mind. Families gather, bonds are strengthened, and food always lies at the heart of these gatherings. With a singular ability to transcend time and place, I offer that every person can name at least one dish that brings back memories of a loved one, a special time, and feelings of nostalgia.

I’m fortunate because my best friend from elementary school invites me to Jewish holidays with his family. I’ve enjoyed dishes associated with Passover, Yom Kippur, and Hanukkah. They’ve managed to work their way into my heart and soul and while I’ll never be able to fully understand the depth these dishes hold, I feel blessed to at least get a glimpse of the significance.

Chef John Bauer of Kenny Lou’s Deli in Lafayette displays his love for ethnic food and traditions with his menu. A Catholic chef who married into a Jewish family, he aims to keep traditions alive all year round. He laments that the traditional deli itself seems to be a dying breed, with many only being found in big cities, but even those are disappearing at an alarming rate.

Nevertheless, Chef John persists. As he takes me on a tour of the back of the house, everything he shows me is made on site. I’m enthralled by the buckets of soup, sausage that’s ground in house, and brisket that sits in a brine for fourteen days.

The inspiration for this soup lies with Eva Szepezi, who learned to cook from her mother-in-law because her parents were not around to teach her after the shoah.

After this overview of the behind the scenes operations, I settle in to taste some traditional Jewish dishes. When I ask Chef John for his stories behind the dishes, he presents me with a cookbook entitled Honey, Cake & Latkes: Recipes from the Old World by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Survivors. “These are where the stories are,” he tells me with a smile.

The cookbook serves as Chef John’s inspiration. He doesn’t use the recipes as written, but I get the sense that the book, coupled with his experiences with his wife and her Jewish family, serves as his muse. A side dish called kasha varnishkes arrives. It’s a pasta dish with kasha-buckwheat groats and mushrooms. The book recipe comes from Tova Friedman, survivor, and it was her late husband’s favorite food.

Next comes the potato latkes. I’m definitely familiar with these and find them to be just as I expected. The unexpected comes in the form of an apple chutney which definitely takes them to the next level for me. Kenny Lou’s makes up to 130 of these at a time and I can conclude they must go fast. The inspiration for these come from a recipe submitted in memory of Elie Wiesel.

I offer up a silent cheer when my favorite dish arrives. Dubbed as a soul-warming, matzo ball soup exists as something that I can never get enough of at my friend’s Passover gatherings. Chef John makes his own schmaltz and prefers “floaters, not sinkers” when it comes to the matzo balls. Each one is hand made from scratch and you can taste the love and care that goes into this traditional soup. The inspiration for this soup lies with Eva Szepezi, survivor, who learned to cook from her mother-in-law because her parents were not around to teach her after the shoah. I smile at a note labeled as “important” in the recipe: no onion, no garlic.

Steeped in tradition, Kenny Lou’s Chef John cooks in a way that doesn’t cut corners and offers no quarter to what might be considered an easier route. You can taste it in his dishes that honor and celebrate traditional Jewish holiday cuisine and I’m honored I got the chance to try a new dish and revisit some old favorites.

Chef Manal Farrar shares her passion and culture through handcrafted Mediterranean food

BY: Tony Firestine

When stepping into Manal Jarrar’s Arabesque in Boulder, you immediately feel the warmth and generosity wash over you. I just so happened to visit the day after the first snow of the season, kicking the slush off my shoes on the mat outside the door on the way in. We had scheduled an appointment to meet at 3 p.m., Arabesque’s closing time. Right away, I understand that it’s truly a one-woman show. Manal does both the cooking and the serving in the small but cozy space. She chooses to serve only lunch and breakfast and close the doors on Sundays (with the occasional private party at the dinner hour) in order to spend quality time for herself and with her family.

There are still lingering Monday lunch diners at a couple of the seven indoor tables that Manal continues to attend to — a table for two at the end of a business lunch, a solo diner gets her baklava to go. The photographer, Kenneth, and I start setting up to ask some questions and catch some images. Manal moves with an elegant swiftness, circling the tables while bringing checks and boxing up food. Her background as a ballet dancer and teacher is evident in the grace and quickness she displays on the dining room floor — hence the name Arabesque.

She takes the time to ask if we want something to drink, and I opt for a chai due to the frigid weather and not being bundled up properly. The warming chai — rich, frothy, and speckled with spices — immediately takes the chill off. Fall is just opening up to the beginning of winter, and leaves still adorn the trees caked in wet snow along Walnut Street, where Arabesque has served up Middle Eastern fare for the past 15 years. While Manal is preparing her holiday dish for us, I ask her about her long tenure and success as a restaurateur and chef at Arabesque. She compares it to being an athlete. “Running a restaurant is like a marathon. It’s not easy,” she says. “I want to have my own rhythm. Run slowly, without stopping. Just keep running and keep moving for a long distance — and 15 years has proved that.” She measures her success by making others happy. “My success is when I am in the basement downstairs, by myself, all alone, cooking for you and preparing. I want to make sure it’s correct,” she says. “And when you eat it and enjoy it, it’s rewarding. That’s it.”

“I love okra. I know it’s not so popular, but I love it. I put a lot of garlic and a little tomato sauce. Very simple.”

She prides herself on a cozy atmosphere; it truly feels like you are stepping into someone’s living space, with an open-air kitchen exuding exotic aromas, where everything is made from scratch. This isn’t fast food by any means. She underlines that fact and talks about how she occasionally must explain that to a guest seeking instant gratification. The genuine hospitality is underlined by the fact that Manal is definitely a hugger. She gives warm embraces to regular and first-time guests alike.

In addition to prepping and serving her normal menu for the day, Manal has put together something special for us: inspired by the holiday season, her own take on Bamia, a Middle Eastern tomato-based okra and beef stew served over rice. She covers the base of a 2-foot-long serving dish with a mix of rice and vermicelli and ladles the steaming medley of vegetables and braised beef over the top, a side of luscious hummus on the side. I mention that I’m only familiar with okra in Southern American fare, but she talks about how she grew up eating the vegetable in Palestine. “I think about one thing that I have an idea about and I build the whole thing around it,” she says. “I love okra. I know it’s not so popular, but I love it. I put a lot of garlic and a little tomato sauce. Very simple.” She garnishes the dish with pomegranate seeds and almonds. The pomegranate lends a delicate pop of bright acidity to an otherwise hearty and robust amalgam of flavors, and the almonds, of course, lend texture and crunch. “Almond, in my culture, is very luxurious,” she explains. “Here, it’s not. Everybody has it in their pocket for trail mix. To bring luxury to the platter, I added to it, to make it a holiday dish.”

Manal insists that we sit and enjoy and imbibe in some wine with her creation. What starts as a brief interview and photoshoot turns into an hour of the three of us getting to know each other over an early dinner made with love, discussing our families, our careers, the state of the world. Manal also explains how she didn’t shut down one day during the pandemic due to the help and generosity of her immediate community. I leave with a hug, full and happy, understanding Arabesque’s longevity and her neighbors’ need for reciprocation of the genuine goodness I experienced on just my first visit.

Chef Yuki Chen: Chinese New Year Celebration Meals

BY: Deborah Cameron

Chef Yuki Chen, owner of Colorado Wok, moved to the U.S. in 2004 from South Canton, China. She remembers the first moment she first departed the plane in Colorado. “In China, they always showed that everywhere in America was a big city. Busy. Then when I came here and saw the area by the airport, I thought it was like a farm. Grass and stuff. I was surprised that it was so open.”

She moved here because she was looking to elevate and improve her life and find more opportunity than she saw in the rural area she came from. She has since found it as both a chef and an entrepreneur, owning Lafayette’s Colorado Wok, successfully shepherding the business even through the stresses of the Covid-19 pandemic, and coming out successfully on the other side.

Even with all that she’s been able to accomplish in America, she still relishes connections to her Chinese heritage. Many of these happen during the holidays, which for her, culturally, doesn’t necessarily mean Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa. It means Chinese New Year, the next one beginning February 10, 2024.

“We never had Thanksgiving or Christmas in China. We always celebrated the Lunar New Year. We don’t follow everything. Everyone is different there. Some people follow Buddha, but our family doesn’t tie itself to anything. At the New Year, just like Christmas, all the family gets together.” Chen talks about the traditions she cherishes most about the holiday. These include gifts of lucky money in red envelopes to the younger and older members of the community, as well as honoring the importance of the color red and the number eight.

“It takes an hour or two,” she said. “We talk. We eat. We drink. We don’t hurry. We enjoy the food. Enjoy each other.”

Chen talked about giving money to her parents, and she talked about fireworks as part of the celebration.

Now that Chen is in the U.S., she recreates the holiday dinner as best as she can. Sometimes Chen said she just makes dinner at home and that Chinese New Year itself can often be like a normal working day for her family because the holiday isn’t as widely celebrated in America.

However, when she can, she’ll create a large dinner at the restaurant, inviting friends, family, and colleagues who would appreciate the celebration. When she’s cooking for the event, she said there was one element of the dinner that was non-negotiable for her and her family when she was in China. “You must have chicken,” she said. “Put a whole one in a pot to steam it, and when it comes out, then you cut it into pieces.”

Chen also mentioned another beloved part of the meal: the pork belly her father used to make in China. “It’s a very traditional part of the meal, but it was so much work. It’s not something we’d have on a normal day. It’s too much work for every day.”

Chen also makes stir-fried vegetables along with seafood like whole fish or squid. She’ll often use tilapia because it’s easy to find in America. Also, feasts can feature crab. Because her hometown is not close to the ocean, she said it is too expensive to get where she’s from in China. “We have a lot more things in America — it’s easier to source,” she explained.

Once the food is prepared and everyone sits down, she said the meal isn’t something that’s over quickly. Guests take their time and enjoy the experience, talking to each other and savoring every dish. As she describes the event, it sounds quite a bit like any of the holiday meals I’ve ever celebrated: messy kitchen, lots of talk, and reconnections.

The post Tradition is the Heart and Soul of Holidays: Recipes Local Chefs appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY FOR LOCAL HISTORY, DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY SPECIAL COLLECTIONS, GREELEY HISTORY MISEUM, LONGMONT MUSEUM, AND USGS HISTORICAL MINING PHOTOGRAPHS

Fruit Orchards, Broomcorn, and 1950s American Boomtowns

In 1945, as American war veterans returned home from the Second World War, Denver was a small and compact agricultural hub. Many of these war veterans had fond memories of training in Colorado before shipping off to fight in Europe or the Pacific. When the Allies won the war, more than a few of the young veterans chose the Queen City to establish the dream of a solid, middle-class American life. The coming boom would soon create a housing shortage.

At that time the north edge of Denver was around 48th Street. Lakeside Amusement Park, near 44th Street and Sheridan Boulevard was on the outskirts of town with neighborhoods to its south and fields to its north. Far away to the northwest was the burgeoning university town of Boulder, where 28th Street was still a gravel road. The Denver-Boulder Turnpike would not open as a toll road for another seven years. Motorists who made the trek to Boulder from Denver — often as tourist daytrippers — would take Highway 287 north up Federal and Old Wadsworth Boulevards and then make a sharp westerly cut over to Boulder on Highway 7 at the World War I Pillars in Lafayette.

By 1945 Lafayette and its immediate neighbors like Louisville and Erie had already existed for many decades as coal mining towns. Between these coal towns in the north and the northern edge of Denver near 48th Street, some 25 miles to the south was mostly a no man’s land of prairie with some large fruit orchards and dryland farms scattered about. There was little natural water in this open expanse and not much to attract development except for wide open space with the Rocky Mountains as backdrop to the west.

1895. Westminster College, now Pillar of Fire Church Harry Rhoads behind steering wheel

But open space is exactly what was needed as the explosive growth of the 1950s approached. A booming metropolitan area required new housing for a rising middle class of people with disposable incomes interested in a two-car garage and a yard for the kids and the dog. Corporate real estate development companies stepped in to fill this demand, not just with houses, but with whole planned communities complete with schools, churches, and shopping.

That is how Northglenn, my home town, and Thornton came into existence. In 1962 Life Magazine named Northglenn America’s “most perfectly planned community” courtesy of the gray-suited businessmen of Perl-Mack Company. The company built its 3,000-home, full-service community called “North Glenn” in 1959, right out of a 280-acre prairie field near what would later become the intersection of Interstate 25 and 104th Avenue.

A few years before “North Glenn” was built, a little to the south was the planned community of Thornton on 400 acres near 88th and Washington Streets. Thornton, named after Colorado’s then governor Daniel Thornton and built by developer Sam Hoffman, emerged from the fields in 1954 and was incorporated as a city in 1956.

19 Jan. 1952. Governor Thornton at Denver-Boulder turnpike ribbon cutting.

Westminster and Broomfield date back to the late 1800s as unincorporated communities with homestead settler roots from the Gold Rush era. But these rural villages also grew into modern Denver suburbs through similar corporate-planned communities in the 1950s. In Westminster and Broomfield the construction of the Denver-Boulder Turnpike and the opening of the nuclear weapons facility Rocky Flats, both in 1952, were major employment and development draws. Such began the long march of suburban sprawl that, by the turn of the century, would ultimately merge the north Denver suburbs with the growing town of Boulder to the northwest.

Before there was a Westminster, there were fields of apple and cherry trees planted by the earliest pioneer settlers to the area. The ocean of spring blossoms in those days must have been a glorious sight against a backdrop of snowy peaks to the west.

To see some evidence of this past, take a little trip next September to the Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge near 80th and Kipling Streets. It’s a wonderful little oasis of nature in the midst of suburbia. As you walk the gentle gravel trails along the banks of the reed-filled ponds with croaking frogs, you will notice many large apple trees in the adjacent fields. That time of year it’s likely that their branches will sag with thousands of ripe apples, the ground below covered in fallen fruit.

The apple and plum trees at Two Ponds are very old. They are relics of this area’s history as a major fruit-growing center. Today’s Shaw Heights neighborhood in Westminster, for example, used to be a large apple and cherry orchard that operated continuously between the 1890s and 1938. This and other area orchards were large enough to justify a railroad spur in 1881 to haul off the many tons of apples and cherries to grocers all across America.

1963. St. Stephens Lutheran Church being built in Northglenn, Colo

The center of this fruit farming life began in 1870 when homesteader Pleasant DeSpain built a home on 160 acres near present day Lowell Boulevard and 76th Street. DeSpain may have been the first to grow fruit trees in the area, and the operation he and his five sons built attracted a small growing community that became known as DeSpain Junction. DeSpain’s great-great grandson who shares the same name was born in Denver in 1943 and is a renowned author, children’s picture-book storyteller, and world traveler. He earned high accolades for his signature children’s book, “Old Joe and the Carpenter”; wrote an adventure travel memoir titled, “Vagabond Tales, In Search of Light and Life”; and produced a weekly children’s storytelling television show called, “Pleasant Journeys” that ran in Seattle for five years in the 1970s. This earned him the honorary title of “Seattle’s Resident Storyteller.” He is quite an interesting individual.

In 1911 a developer named C.J. Harris bought much of the land in and around DeSpain Junction and subdivided it into smaller fruit orchard lots. The new town was incorporated and named Harris. As locals in the growing community thought about the future of their town, some of them dreamed up a plan to create a university so fine that it would be considered the “Princeton of the West.”

Westminster University was a short-lived venture after each and every one of its male Presbyterian students shipped off to serve in the Great War in 1917. The young university never reopened, but the grand castle-like structure made from Colorado red sandstone remains, now privately owned by the Pillar of Fire Methodist Church.

Although I personally think “Pleasant DeSpain” would have made for a more unique name, “Westminster” is what stuck. Westminster’s population in 1950 at the dawn of its development boom was just 1,686. By 1960, with the Turnpike and Rocky Flats completed, it was home to 14,000 residents. Today more than 111,000 people live in Westminster making it one of Colorado’s ten largest incorporated cities.

It should be recognized that the city of Westminster today sits atop a location where there is strong evidence of a semi-permanent Arapaho Tribe encampment. This is thought to have been near Gregory Hill at present day 80th Street and Federal Boulevard. Human habitation in this area goes back at least 14,000 years. It is thought that the corridor where the High Plains meets the Rocky Mountains was used as an annual migration circuit by archaic peoples who would spend summers hunting in the high country and winters sheltering on the adjacent plains.

More recent Indigenous peoples acquired horses from the Spaniards who ventured into the area from the south. These later tribes roamed far and wide on horseback over the Great Plains following herds of bison on which they depended for food, shelter, and tools.

1886-1901. Adolph Zhang Family

By the time Pleasant DeSpain had settled in present-day Westminster in 1870, the Indigenous peoples of the area had largely and tragically been marginalized and removed. Their populations were greatly diminished, their livelihoods were stripped away, and their homelands were stolen. Survivors of this apocalypse were forced onto reservations far away.

The fruit orchard business extended for miles to the north of present-day Westminster. In 1885 Adolph Zang acquired 4,000 acres at present-day 120th Street and Wadsworth Boulevard to grow fruit trees and breed horses. By the time Mr. Zang arrived in the area, the U.S. Postal Service had already set up a remote post office nearby what they called Broomfield after the broomcorn that grew well in the area. Not a food crop, broomcorn is a stiff-stemmed sorghum that was used for the bristles on brooms. It is still used today as craft material for wreaths and other such decorative items.

1995. Adolph Zhang’s (Orchard Farmer’s) House

From its very beginning Broomfield was a crossroads town for both rail and wheel. The Old Cherokee Trail, the main stagecoach route, passed through it, later to be replaced by Highway 287 up Old Wadsworth. Tracks for the Denver-to-Cheyenne Colorado Central Railroad passed through the location in 1873 before it was even settled, and several other rail lines were added in the late 1800s.

The Denver area’s original “light rail” electric commuter train opened in 1908. Known as the Kite Route, this electric rail line ran between Denver and Boulder, through Broomfield, and then towards the coal towns to the east. At its height the electric Kite Route offered 27 stops. The company that operated the train built a depot with associated community services at the corner of 120th and Wadsworth. This depot still stands today as the preserved Broomfield Depot Museum.

1983 Oct. 15. Nearly 15,000 people encircled the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant to protest the nuclear arms race.

By this time the little community of Broomfield had taken root and was even home to the Broomfield Cheese Factory. But the population was stagnant at around 100 residents until the 1950s. Like the other north metro communities, the 1950s brought explosive growth. The Turnpike Land Company bought the Zang property in 1955 to develop a planned community they called the City by the Turnpike. It was a massive undertaking designed for 20,000 residents that ultimately became known as Broomfield Heights.

With the opening of the Denver-Boulder Turnpike and Rocky Flats and the resulting housing boom, Broomfield was on its way from its farming and transportation crossroads roots to becoming the modern suburban city and tech industry hub of 75,000 residents that we know today. The growing city had the unfortunate distinction of being part of four different counties, each with its own laws and regulations. Broomfield solved this challenge at the turn of the century by forming its own county to become the city and county of Broomfield, a unique distinction it shares with the city and county of Denver and just a handful of other city-counties in America.

Growing Together

By 1968 the young cities of Northglenn, Thornton, Westminster, and Broomfield were all well established. But they were still isolated communities surrounded by open space on all sides, even to the south towards Denver. 1968 was the year my parents, Linda and Phil Geiling, moved to Colorado from Florida. Mom was a teacher and Dad a child school psychologist. The retired snowbirds moving down to Florida at the time had little interest in paying more taxes to fund their education system, so my parents went looking for greener pastures and ended up in Colorado. They bought a piece of land in Broomfield, way outside of the city at the time, to build a home. They gave up on that idea within a year, sold the parcel of land, and bought a California-style house on a half acre off of 99th and Huron Streets in Northglenn for $29,000.

I was born in 1974, and this was the house I grew up in until I left for college in 1993. I would learn through researching this article that it must have been among the first houses built in Northglenn, although not part of the original planned community off of 104th.

1908. Men boarding train

My earliest real memories are from around 1980. By then the neighborhood had filled in. When my parents first bought the house in 1969, the neighborhood was only half built, and the view to the west was mostly open space. I asked my mom where she perceived the “edge of the city” was back then. She zeroed in on 84th Avenue, but the edge of the city wasn’t that clear as there was still a lot of undeveloped land even south from there.

“I remember driving along 84th,” she said. “Looking south there were still many open fields between 84th and Denver. There wasn’t much at all to the north of 104th. Huron was a dirt road north from there.” She recalled that the Red Lobster may have been the first business to appear on 104th Avenue to the west of Huron, and then the car dealerships followed in a few years. By around 1980, “The area was pretty much built out,” she said.

Before speaking with my mom for this article, I never realized how quickly my hometown grew in just the decade before I was born. There was literally nothing there but fields in 1959 and by 1979 Northglenn and Thornton were fully developed suburbs.

For me, it was a great place to grow up. On clear days when the notorious Denver brown cloud was cleared by fresh winds, we could see the downtown Denver skyline to the south from the house. The “big city” seemed a world away then, even though it was only nine miles. On my street my older brother and I had many friends our age, and the adults all knew each other well, even becoming long-time friends.

1929-1939. Farming equipment in use.

In speaking with my mom, I recalled the fun all the kids would have sledding down our steep street on snow days or weekends on the old-time runner sleds we had. To my amusement my mom told me that the neighborhood adults would often take their turn on the sleds at night after we kids went to bed. And apparently, unbeknownst to me, when my dad followed behind at a distance while we went trick-or-treating, as a joke, he would knock on the same doors we just left with a mug in his hand for “trick-or-drinking,” ending up with a toxic stew of various beers and liquors in that mug for his loot.

This was 1980s suburban life America, when crime was high but most people didn’t worry too much about it because the news of it wasn’t blasted 24 hours a day. We rode our bikes in the summer up to Webster Lake or Croke Drive Reservoir to catch bluegills or south to the field that was near Thornton Parkway where there were a series of sweet dirt jumps we called the “tip-ups.” Helmets were never worn, and curfew was “dark.” On many summer nights after dark the neighborhood kids would often gather at one house or another for wild games of kick-the-can. I would go to bed mosquito-bitten and exhausted but ready to do it all over again with all my friends the next day.

The innocence of the 1980s passed, and with a new decade I became a Northglenn High School Norseman in 1990. My circle of friends came from a mostly lower middle-class background. We were about half white kids and half Hispanic. My Hispanic friends were all multi-generation Americans who spoke no Spanish whatsoever, which was often the source of good-natured jokes. Mostly we didn’t pay any attention to superficial differences. We were just friends — and still are to this day.

1963. Librarians work in Thornton.

Still, things always change, and the 1990s brought significant cultural shifts. Urban gang culture encroached into the North Metro communities, especially Northglenn and Thornton. High crime rates and drug abuse entered our awareness at a time when new driver’s licenses and beater cars gave us the ultimate freedom to learn our boundaries, sometimes the hard way.

One of my friends had an old Chevy Chevette hatchback that he bought somewhere for $200. He could make it backfire on command, and it finally died one day when the gear shifter broke off in his hand. On snowy nights we would take turns towing each other on snow tubes down Thornton’s residential streets. On other nights we would take joyrides north where most of the roads north of 120th, like Huron, turned to dirt. From there we would sometimes turn off the roads straight into the fields to flush out rabbits just for fun. Many weekend nights were spent cruising “Westy Mall,” not having any clue what we were looking for or how to find it, but somehow wanting to be there with our friends doing nothing in particular but hanging out trying to look cool nonetheless.

1964. HELP (Helpful Extra Library People) volunteers work in the Adams County Library bookmobile, in Northglenn, Colorado

In those days Thornton’s new Horizon High School, built in 1988 way up north off of 136th Avenue, was where the snobs went — “rich” suburban kids with nice new cars living in nice new houses on the edge of the city. Holly Street, near Horizon High, now a busy, four-lane suburban thoroughfare, was a dirt road on which we would gun our engines up to 60 mph, kicking up plumes of dust just because we could.

Things change. My 12-year-old daughter will probably attend Horizon High as she will be a freshman in two short years. By then the school will be 37 years old, 12 years older than Northglenn High was when I entered high school. And, I still think of Horizon as the “new” school!

Reflecting on my research and recollections for this article, I am struck by how recent all of this history is and by how dramatic the changes and growth have been in just a few short decades. As the edge of suburbia continues to push north, now past Lafayette and Erie and into the Tri-Towns of Frederick, Firestone, and Dacono, I wonder what the destiny is of the North Metro suburbs where I grew up.

My mom and dad sold the house in Northglenn in 1998 to follow a retirement dream and move to the mountains, finding a new home outside of Salida. After my dad passed away in 2014, my mom decided to find a second home in the Denver area. She found a quiet little house in Old Town Erie in 2015. I asked her if she felt there were similarities between Erie in 2015 and Northglenn in 1968. Was it a bit of a return to those first days in Colorado when they moved to the edge of the city to a place undergoing rapid growth? “I did notice similarities,” she said. “Moving to Erie in 2015 was a lot like moving to Northglenn in 1968.”

And time marches on.

The post The Model Cities of No Man’s Land appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Alex Borrell enjoys his liftie job at Eldora. Photo courtesy of Alex Borrell

Alex Borrell, Eldora

Borrell grew up in Florida but always dreamed of snowboarding since he was a kid. “Shaun White became really big and, of course, that pushed me even harder wanting to learn to snowboard,” Borrell said.

At 24 Borrell finally made it to Colorado and thought the fastest track to learning how to snowboard would be working at a ski resort. He was hired as a lift operator.

“It was one of the best jobs I’ve had so far in Colorado,” Borrell said. “I learned how to snowboard due to the fact that I was technically on a snowboard eight hours a day almost. That’s pretty much where I started. I wanted to work on the mountain. I wanted to see what it was like. After my first season I absolutely fell in love with it.”

Lift operators, or “lifties,” assist guests at ski resorts onto lifts. When Borrell first started he earned $13.50 an hour. “It wasn’t glamorous pay,” Borrell said. “You had to do it out of the love for the job. If you enjoy what you do, you never work a day in your life. Working at Eldora was not all about the customer service but seeing peoples’ smiles on their faces when you’re getting them up the mountain.”

Borrell lived with his mom in Boulder and then in Longmont during the first two seasons working as a liftie. “The only reason I survived it was because for the first two years of me being out here, I lived at my mom’s house,” Borrell said. “I took advantage of the fact that I could live at my mom’s house pretty much rent-free, and I took that chance to go become a liftie and enjoy liftie scum life.”

The ski lifts on a snowy day at Eldora. Photo courtesy of Alex Borrell

Another perk of the job is free passes to ski mountains. Borrell hit seven resorts his first year working.

“Lift operators on the mountains are kind of looked down upon by every other part of the mountain,” Borrell said. “The cafeteria people think they’re better than lifties. Ski school definitely thinks they’re better than lifties. We all kind of take pride in the fact that everybody looks down on us as lift operators. In reality we crack the joke that there would be no ski school if there weren’t lift operators. We all know that the reason most of us are lift operators is because we want to be ski bums. We want to ride down the mountain while we’re working. We want to be riding other mountains when we’re off. We all want to live that ski bum life, and the liftie operating life is something that helps with that.”

From the daily handling of guests who are too drunk to get on the ski lift to those forgetting their kids behind as they go up, Borell remembers both the funny and harrowing moments on the job. “Life operator reflexes are normally faster than a cat’s,” Borrell said.

He remembers saving a child from being hit by a lift chair and helping a hypothermic skier get to safety after she was stuck in a powder pit for seven hours. Borrell and his coworkers skied Copper Mountain in their uniforms as a joke one day.

“We had a great time until one of us got hurt,” Borrell said. “We literally had to strip a liftie down to his shirt because he was wearing Eldora everything: jacket, thermal, undershirt. He was wearing so much Eldora we literally had to strip him down to his tank top before we called ski patrol.”

Borrell and his liftie friends jokingly wear their Eldora uniforms to Copper Mountain. Photo courtesy of Alex Borrell

The pay is no longer sustainable enough for Borrell to continue working as a liftie, but of course he still has a reverence for what got him into the job in the first place. “The way that I see snowboarding is it’s like meditation,” Borrell said. “In everyday life you’re not in 100 percent  control of what could happen to you. While you’re snowboarding it’s almost like meditation to me because I am 100 percent  in control of anything that could happen to me when I’m on that mountain. It’s you, the mountain, and the board and nothing else.”

Some lifties move up to management or lift maintenance positions so that they get paid more. Although lifties often don’t make a living wage, perks like working with friends and opportunities to ski while working keep the job filled. 

“Lift operators have a big family aspect to it because we have to deal with each other on a daily basis,” Borrell said. “It’s a big comradery. It’s a big brotherhood, sisterhood. As much as I love the job and as much as I wanted to be there, I just knew because of management positions work that I probably wouldn’t be getting a management position any time soon, and in turn not be earning the money I would need to not be living at my mom’s house. I had to quit the liftie life and get another job so I could continue to not live at my mom’s house.”

As for Eldora? Borrell says it doesn’t fit that typical ski resort vibe that other ski towns have, without the corporate or high class influence.

“It’s not a big ski town, it’s more of a sleepy little hippie town if anything,” Borrell said. “It just happens to have a ski resort up the mountain from it. The whole vibe of Eldora and Nederland is pretty much the same.”

Borell’s recommendations:

Airbnb Lodging: Borrell recommends finding Airbnbs in the town of Eldora or Rollinsville. It’s nice to not have to drive up the canyon in inclement weather.

Harvest House Ganja Shop: “They have locally grown bud that is grown indoors, so it’s pretty good quality,” Borrell said. “Out of all the places in Nederland, those are probably the biggest bang for your buck.”

Hike and explore the town of Eldora: Borrell recommends looking at the old homes and exploring the hiking trails in the old mining town of Eldora. He says there’s an old truck with a tree growing out of it.

Mark Hyche, Breckenridge

Hyche had to wear many more layers than he was used to coming from Georgia to Breckenridge. Photo courtesy of Mark Hyche

Hyche hitchhiked to Breckenridge with a stack of resumes in hand. He started as a chef at a local restaurant and moved in with snowboarder guys in town.

Eventually making it to Peak 9 Restaurant at Breckenridge Resort, Hyche was the second person on the lift every morning after inspection. He remembers making 200 gallons of soup everyday, which he stirred with a boat paddle, and the party work culture.

“Once you’re a local you never pay full price, so everyone there is a raging alcoholic or doing drugs,” Hyche joked. “It’s hand in hand in that business: Whether you’re ski patrol, whether you’re a ski lift operator guy or a bartender. Everyone is doing their thing.”

Gaper Day on April 1st was one of his favorite days when the locals get back at the tourists on the slopes by dressing up as them and playfully knocking them over. Gaper Day is named after the way that tourists walk around with their mouths gaping open.

“It started getting out of hand,” Hyche said. “It was supposed to be fun, kind of like a controlled mosh pit, but then it started getting crazy, and they had cops on skis up on the hills.”

The tourists also left behind plenty of good gear for locals to snag. “One of the upsides to the tourists is you don’t have to buy anything,” Hyche said. “If you need gloves or Oakley goggles you go to the lost and found and it’s yours. I mean they’re from Miami. We’ll never see them again. They buy the best stuff and lose it. I can’t tell you how many Beats by Dr. Dre I’ve found on tables just sitting there.”

“you don’t have to buy anything, “If you need gloves or Oakley goggles you go to the lost and found and it’s yours.”

Hyche lived the vampire life, he calls it, meaning you get off late and party after work.

“When you’re a local, by the time you get home and you have one leg out of your pants, your alarm clock is going off,” Hyche said. “When you come to work, all the girls are in their underwear and bras. Everyone knows each other. Guys are over there in their boxers. There’s plates with lines on it. Someone is rolling a joint, music is going, non-slip shoes all over the place. Everyone is in their underwear bullshitting about what they did the night before.”

Hyche rented a townhome near downtown Breckenridge. “I never locked my door,” Hyche said. “My policy was if you could crawl to my house, you could stay at my house. I saved a lot of peoples’ lives. If you missed your bus to the next town, you’re done.”

Finding affordable housing is difficult for most people working at the resort. “A lot of the employers hold you hostage by way of housing,” Hyche said.

Some employers offer housing as part of pay for the job. “Housing is one of the biggest issues there,” Hyche said. “It’s not employment, it’s just where are you going to stay — and it’s gotten way more expensive. A lot of people who have a fifth and sixth home, they don’t want someone keeping employees in their property.” Some employees opt to camp out in their vehicles and stay in the free parking lots.

Hyche’s advice for the ski slopes? Never wear a Camelback. Three or four times a week he would hear a knock at Peak 9’s kitchen door with a frozen tourist on the other side whose frozen Camelback had exploded on them.

Hyche’s recommendations:

• Treasure hunting under the lifts: When springtime hits go under the lifts with metal detectors to find treasures. “You would not believe the stuff they find: cash, diamond rings, class rings,” Hyche said. “It’s unreal.”
• Kenosha Breck: Grab a Bloody Mary from Kenosha Breck or play horseshoes. “Bloody Marys are a lifesaver in this town,” Hyche said. “You drink two of those, you’re back to square one. You’re ready. You’re good to go. You’re healed.”
• Tom’s Baby: Visit the largest piece of gold ever found in Colorado.
• Panning for gold at the Blue River in Silverthorne, near the outlet malls: Try your luck panning for gold on the Blue River.
• Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center: If you book in advance, you can get a good deal there, Hyche said.
• Check out the Summit County Libraries: “They’re well funded and well taken care of,” Hyche said.
• Angry James Brewing Company: Trivia on Thursday nights

Danny Devlin, Aspen Snomass 

Danny Devlin assists a fully blind skier down the slope. Photo courtesy of Danny Devlin

Devlin joined the ski club in college in Virginia, which allowed him to ski a lot through practices and races. After graduation he traveled west to work for Challenge Aspen, an adaptive skiing program. He worked as an assistant on adaptive lessons and now assists people skiing with disabilities or visual or hearing impairments.

“The goal is that people get better at skiing, but the biggest goal is just to have fun,” Devlin said. “If you’re having fun it helps the person have fun. It’s definitely cool that the main idea behind the job is just to have a good time on the mountain. The culture definitely does reflect that.”

Devlin’s first choice was working at Copper Mountain but could not find any housing. Challenge Aspen offered employee housing at a cheaper-than-market rent rate.

Many of the lower-paid resort jobs will come with housing as an extra incentive for a lower wage. Many employers offer housing and a visa opportunity for international workers to come work in Aspen. This winter Devlin is a ski instructor and has to find his own housing because these jobs pay more. He lives in Basalt, 30 minutes away from Snowmass.

“Everyone who works ski industry jobs has at least two jobs if not more, which is definitely the culture,” Devlin said. “Pretty much all young people who work in the ski industry have at least two jobs.”

While working at Challenge Aspen last year, Devlin worked two bartending jobs. Usually Devlin finished on the slopes at 3 p.m. and started work at the bar at 4 p.m. He was able to stay at the employee housing for the season from November through April and spent the off-season in Hawaii with his girlfriend who lived there. Now that he has increased pay working as a ski instructor, he only works one bartending job on the side.

For Devlin, working many jobs is a low price to pay for the opportunity to ski.

“Most people’s passion is skiing, not ski instructing,” Devlin said. “Your boss knows you want to have time to free ski and do whatever you want. They definitely understand that because they most certainly love skiing.”

Although pricing in the Aspen area is often out of touch for those working at the resort, there is still a strong community aspect to living there.

“There’s very much a sense of community around the locals,” Devlin said. “Pretty much all businesses in some way will give locals discounts because, of course, the prices for the businesses are meant for the rich vacationers.”

Devlin’s recommendations:

• Fuel Cafe: One of the only quick food places near Snowmass
• Big Hoss Grill: One of the more affordable dinners around and where Devlin works as a bartender.
• Silver City Aspen: A fun, chill bar in Aspen that’s not overly fancy with pool tables
• Maroon Bells: Easy, chill, must-do hike
• X Games: An annual extreme sports competition with live music

Jim Schutz, Copper Mountain

Jim Schutz enjoys a day working as an instructor at Copper Mountain. Photo courtesy of Jim Schutz

An engineer by training and trade, Schutz has worked as a part-time ski instructor for 11 years. Teaching children how to ski felt natural because he’s skied his whole life and worked with kids in roles such as a Boy Scout Master and hockey team manager. “I love skiing, and I like working with kids,” Schutz said. “To me a successful day is when at the end of the day, the kid is tired and flops on the slope waiting for Mom and Dad.”

Schutz tries to get the children out skiing on the mountain and out of the classroom as much as he can. Hot chocolate breaks are pretty frequent, he said. “Copper really does focus on making the whole thing family friendly.”

“Copper really does focus on making the whole thing family friendly.”

Schutz is happy working for Copper Mountain. The schedule is flexible, and they provide and encourage further training for instructors.

“I like the inclusiveness of Copper,” Schutz said. “I feel like I’m a valued part of the team, a valued part of the organization. My management tries to keep the rigamarole out of our court and encourages us to do the teaching, to do the work with the kids.

Schutz teaches part-time on weekends and stays at his condo in Dillion. He tries to ski as much as he can when he’s not working.

“I like the flexibility of doing this,” Schutz said. “I have what I feel is a very supportive staff and management. I really enjoy that.”

Schutz’s recommendations:

• JJ’s Rocky Mountain Tavern: Offers live entertainment a couple of days a week.
• Highside Brewing: Schutz enjoys the pinball machine. “It’s nice to have something to do besides sit and drink beer,” Schutz said.
• Syndicate Brewing Co.: His new-found hangout spot
• Sunshine Cafe: Good for a sit-down breakfast
• Blue Moon Bakery: Take-and-go breakfast sandwiches
• Angry James Brewing Company: Trivia on Thursday nights

The post Liftie Life: Why People Work at Ski Resorts appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Retail

Alpaca Connection
1334 Pearl St, Boulder
303-447-2047
thealpacaconnection.com
The Pick: Sharon Hand Embroidery Coat
A luxurious alpaca wool coat with intricate embroidery, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern style.
Who It’s For: Fashion-Forward and Ethically-Conscious Consumers,
Other Services: Alpaca Clothing, Boutique Favorites, Unique Gifts, Accessories, Menswear

Aspen Winds
1051 Fall River Court, Estes Park
970-586-6010
aspenwinds.com
The Pick: Spa Suites at Aspen Winds
A serene and luxurious retreat in the majestic Rocky Mountains, offering the perfect blend of comfort and natural beauty.
Who It’s For: Nature Lover Seeking Relaxation and Luxury
Other Services: One Bedroom Suites, Two Bedroom Suites, The Loft Suite, Guest Suite, Gift Certificates, Specials & Packages

Boulder DBI
1942 Broadway, Suite 30, Boulder
303-449-3774
boulderdowntown.com
The Pick: “Boulder Alley Gallery”
An outdoor gallery transforming alley and back-of-building doors into canvases for local artists.
Who It’s For: Urban Art Explorer – for those immersing in vibrant street art
Other Services: “Student Banner Project,” “Tulip Fairy & Elf Festival,” “Summer Tebo Train Rides,” “Bands on the Bricks,” “Pearl Street Arts Fest,” “Downtown Boulder Fall Fest,” “Munchkin Masquerade,” “Light Up the Holidays”

Boulder Drum Shop
3070 28th Street, Ste. D, Boulder
303-402-0122
boulderdrumshop.com
The Pick: Yamaha Drums
Yamaha Drums from Boulder Drum Shop, known for exceptional quality and durability, perfect for any genre.
Who It’s For: Rhythm Maestro – for drummers seeking precision and versatility in their beats
Other Services: Array of drums and ethnic percussion instruments, lessons, wide range of brands including Sonor, Pacific, Pearl, Ludwig

Bricks and Market
512 4th Ave #103, Longmont 
720-680-0555
bricksretail.com
The Pick:  Sip and Shop!
Toast to holiday cheer while finding the perfect presents – because shopping for joy should be as delightful as giving it. Explore Bricks and BMarket to find various gift options perfect for anyone on your list!
Who It’s For:  Ideal for the holiday enthusiast who believes that every successful shopping spree deserves a celebratory cocktail!
Other Services: Gift wrapping, holiday events, gift baskets

Candlewood Suites
1340 Dry Creek Drive Longmont,
303-4851950
ihg.com/candlewood
The Pick: Extended Stay Suites
Comfortable and luxurious suites with fully equipped kitchenettes, ideal for long stays.
Who It’s For: Long-term Traveler – for those seeking home comforts during extended trips
Other Services: On-site laundry, free internet, fitness center, outdoor grill, pet-friendly accommodations, Lending Locker

Colorado in a Basket
199 Summit Way, Erie
303-664-1401,
coloradobaskets.com
The Pick: Colorado Gift Basket
Introducing the exquisite Nutcracker gift basket. Priced at $120, filled with Colorado chocolates, maple kettle corn, nutcracker whipped honey, custom sugar plum cookie, sugar plum candy cane, chocolate nutcracker, and much more. A delightful choice for anyone on your holiday list, supporting local Colorado vendors.
Who It’s For: Ideal for loved ones, employees, co-workers – perfect for indulging or gifting.
Other Services: Offers worldwide shipping and local delivery.

Crystal Ski
1933 28th Street #101, Boulder
303-449-7669
crystalskishop.com
The Pick: Season-Long Rentals; Skis-Snowboards
Top-of-the-line ski and snowboard rentals for a seamless and exhilarating experience on the slopes.
Who It’s For: Winter Sports Enthusiast – for those passionate about hitting the slopes with style
Other Services: Ski and snowboard tuning, repairs, binding mounts, summer water sports rentals like kayaks, SUPs, and tubes

Energy Arts
1602 9th Ave, Longmont
303-990-8990
energyarts.com 
The Pick: Taoist Breathing for Tai Chi and Meditation
A journey to EMBODY the Dao. Existing for more than 2,000 years, now in 250 languages, the Daodejing (Tao Te Ching) is a timeless classic. 10 years in the making and from a true insider’s perspective, passed to current Lineage Holder Bruce K. Frantzis by Liu Hung Chieh in the original oral tradition: “These are the words…This is what they mean…This is how to do what is proposed.” – Liu Hung Chieh, Daoist Sage
Who It’s For: For those seeking wisdom: the Way and the Power, the philosopher in the family, and everyone you know with a spiritual bent
Other Services: Qigong, Tai Chi, Meditation, Ba Gua, Hsing-i, and Dao Yoga live classes, online programs, books, and ancient discs known as DVDs

Eric Olson Master Jeweler
820 Main St #107, Louisville
303-604-0240
master-jeweler.com
The Pick: Long’s Peak & The Flatirons Pendants
These pendants are not just jewelry; they’re wearable art, capturing the essence of Boulder’s iconic landscapes with meticulous craftsmanship.
Who It’s For: Nature-Enthusiast and Artisan Jewelry Admirer
Other Services: Bridal Jewelry, Colored Stone Jewelry, Modern Designs, Hand Engraving, One-of-a-Kind Creations

Jax Outdoor Gear
900 South Highway 287, Lafayette
720-266-6160
jaxgoods.com
The Pick: Local Artisan Products
A collection of unique items crafted by local artisans, from bespoke outdoor gear to handcrafted farm and ranch supplies.
Who It’s For: Local Explorer – for those appreciating the quality and authenticity of locally-made products
Other Services: Gear rentals, classes for outdoor adventures, top brand products, coffee bars, ice cream, and activities for kids

Larkridge Outdoor Retail Regional Center
16542 Washington Street, Thornton
303-595-9919
shoplarkridge.com
Your destination for shopping, dining, entertainment, and everyday services with more than 45 retailers. Here’s to a safe, healthy and happy holiday season!Larkridge Shopping Center

Leadville Train
326 East 7th St, Leadville
866-386-3936
leadville-train.com
The Pick: Holiday Express
A magical journey aboard the Holiday Express through a winter wonderland, combining natural beauty with holiday cheer.
Who It’s For: Festive Family – a delightful adventure for holiday-themed outings and picturesque landscapes
Other Services: Daily scenic train rides, Top of the Rockies Zip-Line, pet-friendly rides in spring, summer, and fall

Longmont Downtown Development Authority
320 Main St, Longmont
303-651-8484
downtownlongmont.com
The Pick: Downtown Longmont Gift Card
Downtown Longmont Gift Cards are the perfect gift! Send your loved ones on a choose-your-own-adventure of food, drink, shopping, personal services, and more in downtown Longmont!
Who It’s For: Downtown Longmont Gift Cards are the perfect gift for everyone! With more than 70 participating businesses, everyone on your list will find something they love.
Other Services: Downtown Longmont is your one-stop-shop for everything you need this holiday season!

Longmont Symphony
515 Kimbark St Suite 105, Longmont
303-772-5796
longmontsymphony.squarespace.com
The Pick: “Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker” Concert
Embrace the holiday magic with this enchanting concert, transporting you to a world of whimsy and wonder.
Who It’s For: Holiday Magic Seekers, ideal for families and festive season enthusiasts
Other Services: Variety of concerts like “The ‘Gentle’ Nutcracker,” special events like “Maestro Talk: Elliot Moore,” and the “LSO Gala”

Monkton Guitars
1505 W 1st Ave, STE A, Broomfield
303-484-1271
monktonguitars.com
The Pick: Furch Guitars
Furch Guitars offer remarkable sound clarity and exquisite build quality, a testament to musical excellence.
Who It’s For: Passionate Musician – whether strumming at home or on stage
Other Services: Full repair shop, variety of strings, tuners, guitar care accessories, lessons, vintage guitars, amps, and effects

Out Boulder County
3340 Mitchell Ln, Boulder
303-499-5777
outboulder.org
The Pick: Love
A versatile and welcoming space for events, meetings, and community trainings, fostering inclusivity and community.
Who It’s For: Community Members, Organizers and Event Planners with a Passion for Inclusivity
Other Services: Volunteer Opportunities, Donation Events, Youth Programs, Support Groups, Addiction Recovery Services, and more

Paradise Found Records & Music
1646 Pearl Street, Boulder
303-444-1760
paradisefoundrecordsmusic.com
The Pick: Extensive Collection of CDs and Vinyls
A haven for music enthusiasts, offering a wide selection of both new and used records spanning various genres and eras.
Who It’s For: Music Collectors and Vinyl Enthusiasts
Other Services: In-home record pickup, turntable and stereo equipment repairs, special music orders

Restaurants

Alice and Rose Boulder
1301 Pennsylvania Ave, Boulder
720-495-4251
aliceandrose.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Busaba
133 S. McCaslin Blvd., Louisville
303-665-0330
busabaco.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Community Supper Club
206 S Public Rd, Lafayette
720-890-3793
eatatcommunity.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Cosmos Pizza
3117 28th St, Boulder
659 30th St, Boulder
303-442-3278
520 W South Boulder Rd, Lafayette
720-598-512
cosmospizza.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Dugout
149 S Briggs St # 105a, Erie
720-242-8239
dugoutgrillandbarerie.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Hapa Sushi
1117 Pearl Street, Boulder
303-835-9748
hapasushi.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Jaipur Indian Restaurant
1800 Broadway Street, #160, Boulder
303-442-0999
jaipurindianrestaurant.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Kalita Grill
2426 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder
303-443-0596
kalitagrill.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Paul’s Coffee & Tea
956 W Cherry St #101, Louisville
720-259-1723
paulscoffeeandtea.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Pho Café
1085 S Public Rd, Lafayette
303-665-0666
phocafelafayette.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Ras Kassa’s
802 South Public Road, Lafayette
303-447-2919
raskassas.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Raza Fresa
7960 Niwot Rd suite 11-d, Niwot
303-652-3995
razafresa.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Rumbo 52
3768 State Hwy 52, Frederick
720-307-4700
rumbo52.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Si Señor
3120 Village Vista Dr, Erie
720-890-9765
sisenorrealmexicanfood.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

The Sink
1165 13th St, Boulder
303-444-7465
thesink.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Small Cakes
16810 Sheridan Pkwy #118, Broomfield
720-948-1956
smallcakescupcakery.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Stacey’s Kitchen
235 Cheesman St, Erie
303-379-9652
stacyskitchen.page
Home-style deli and bakery services

Tangerine Restaurants
379 Main St, Longmont
720-815-2888
300 S Public Rd, Lafayette
303.443.2333
2777 Iris Ave, Boulder
303.443.2333
tangerineeats.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Taj Mahal III
1075 E. S. Boulder Rd., #145, Louisville
303-926-0999
tajmahal3.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Village Coffee
1605 Folsom St, Boulder
303-442-9689
villagecoffeeshopboulder.com
Gift Certificates, Holiday Parties, Catering

Health & Beauty

Blooming Massage
421 21st Ave Ste 2, Longmont
303-827-5101
bloomingmassage.com
The Pick:  60/90 minute Himalayan Salt Stone Massage
Enjoy the holistic healing qualities of Himalayan Salt Stone Massage, melting away stress and tension for a deeper therapeutic experience.
Who It’s For: Anyone needing rest and relaxation.
Other Services: Variety of massage specialties, enhancements, Gift Certificates available.

Valar Aesthetics
671 Mitchell Way Suite 210, Erie
720-260-4634
valarmd.com
The Pick: AviClear
A permanent acne solution after 3 monthly treatments, ideal for those seeking a change in their skin.
Who It’s For: Everyone suffering from facial acne.
Other Services: Injectables, body contouring, laser resurfacing, threads, laser hair removal, tattoo removal, kybella, Gift cards available.

Amy Francis Fitness
Service Mode: Online Classes
210-332-7253
amyfrancisfitness.com
The Pick: Nutritional Coaching & Personal Training
Offer of fitness and health through nutritional coaching and personal training sessions, building long-term habits for body fat loss and muscle gain.
Who It’s For: Fitness enthusiasts, beginners, athletes, anyone of any age looking to reach their goals.
Other Services: Group fitness classes, in-person and virtual, extensive on-demand workout library available 24/7.

The post Retailers Pick Guide 2023 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Where charity, public relations, and wealth accumulation intersect

The Gilded Age was the era where the United States was rapidly industrializing, expanding railroads, and colonizing the western part of the country, roughly from the late 1870s to the early 1900s. It is this time that capitalists with names we still recognize — like Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and J.P. Morgan — made their fortunes.

These men were simultaneously admired and reviled in their time depending on what point of view one held, much like today’s billionaires — Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Michael Bloomberg for example — are. The Gilded Age fortunes were built on exploiting labor systems of the time, creating monopolies to control prices, and using their wealth and power to influence the political system. Today, you can visit some of the lavish mansions and extravagant properties their families inherited to get a sense of the immense wealth they possessed.

They also contributed immensely as philanthropists and established charitable organizations, which still bear their names today. The deep irony is, if society were more equitable and did not allow for such immense wealth accumulation, there would not be as much of a need for charity as there is.

The United States lacks the social safety nets that comparable nations across the globe possess. Consequently, Americans commonly look to wealthy individuals, businesses, and religious institutions for their philanthropy to help those in need. This leads to a charitable culture and an expectation of giving but can also leave gaps in actually addressing need.

Relying on philanthropy removes democracy from the process of distributing resources in our society. The general public cannot vote on what a philanthropist decides to do. They certainly can “vote with their money” and decide what organizations to donate to, but if money equals a vote, the ultra wealthy wield more political power. The growing wealth gap, record corporate profits, high-profile strikes, and an increase in racial tensions all harken back to the Gilded Age, where America’s original billionaires amassed their fortunes. The ability for individuals to accumulate so much wealth while others live in abject poverty has striking moral implications, especially given that the wealthiest individuals also wield the most power in directing philanthropic efforts.

It can also lead to a disproportionate reliance on ultra-wealthy donors — whether they are individuals or businesses. This means those at the very highest echelon of society, Bernie Sander’s famous “Billionaire Class,” have the largest influence where money is spent trying to help the poorest and most dire of our citizens.

There is also the moral question of when it becomes obligatory to give back to your community and the ethical question of the existence of billionaires as a whole. It may be time to rethink this model of philanthropy — and how much we rely on it — and look to alternate ways of how a society can take care of its most vulnerable people.

Business and Charity, Here vs. Abroad

“I had the opportunity to work for an international company based in Europe, and it was very illuminating for me to experience the difference in attitudes around philanthropy in a European context versus the U.S.,” John Tayer, president of the Boulder Chamber of Commerce shared.

“The distinction between Europe and the United States is that in the United States, there is more of a community expectation of philanthropy by businesses and individuals,” Tayer explained. Europeans, especially Western Europeans, tend to rely more on government programs rather than philanthropic organizations. That is not to say charity does not exist, it just takes on a different role when society also expects and funds the government to provide help. Places like France, the U.K., and Germany rely on social support systems funded by higher taxes rather than generosity. Those societies have made the trade off of a higher tax rate for a more robust social support system, therefore reducing the need for private philanthropy.

John D. Rockefeller gave his fortune to his son to avoid taxes, one early example.

Shifting the burden of philanthropy from private businesses to the government also democratizes the process and reduces the influence of billionaires on where that money is spent. Tayer shared, “I am not so sure that’s the best thing for society, that businesses that are responsible for something that is so broad, socially. It’s potentially a question of morality and a question of, you know, applied civic duty for an individual to contribute their profits or their economic benefits to philanthropic causes. Is that necessarily the most efficient way to address broader community needs?”

Unfortunately, those in a position to do so have been known to hide their money, use loopholes to avoid taxes, and influence legislation that lowers their rates. According to OxFam, “Elon Musk, one of the world’s richest men, paid a ‘true tax rate’ of about 3 percent between 2014 and 2018.” This creates a burden on society and a great irony where the people taking the most are obligated to contribute the least. We then rely on their charity to fill the gaps.

Panama and Pandora

Raising taxes is not the only answer. Those with enough wealth often hide their money in untaxed offshore accounts — money that would have been taxed to help fund existing programs. Tax evasion schemes are nothing new. John D. Rockefeller gave his fortune to his son to avoid taxes, one early example, but the scope, amount of people, and international connectedness of recent revelations is stunning.

The Panama Papers were a collaborative investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and numerous other media organizations that exposed in 2016 a worldwide network of offshore bank accounts that the mega wealthy used to hide money from taxation. The same organization of journalists also uncovered a second vast network of offshore accounts in 2021 that the wealthy elite used to store over $11 trillion dollars offshore called the Pandora Papers.

the wealthy elite used to store over $11 trillion dollars offshore called the Pandora Papers revealed.

Not all of that is illegal, according to the ICIJ. “Because of the complexity and secrecy of the offshore system, it’s not possible to know how much of that wealth is tied to tax evasion and other crimes and how much of it involves funds that come from legitimate sources and have been reported to proper authorities.”

A massive portion of this money would have been taxed at various amounts which would have provided increased revenue for  governments. Talking with politicians and city employees, one of the main complaints for promoting new programs and increasing the efficiency of existing ones are budget constraints. One Colorado-specific example is the free preschool program which simply did not have the budget to meet the need. Money sitting in illegal accounts overseas would have helped fund additional early childhood education.

The ICIJ’s exposure has helped funnel over $1 billion back into legal banking systems across the globe.

The reverberations of these investigations were widespread. Politicians in a wide spectrum of nations including Iceland, Spain, Pakistan, Malta, and Peru resigned, were removed, or charged in the wake.

Journalism matters deeply. Daphne Caruana Galizia, a journalist in Malta, was killed by a car bomb in 2017, likely for using the Panama Papers as a source on corruption. The ICIJ’s exposure has helped funnel over $1 billion back into legal banking systems across the globe to be properly taxed and accounted for, but the problem is not solved as long as similar schemes exist for the very wealthy to exploit.

Wealth and Morality

One of the most disturbing moral implications of the Panama and Pandora Papers is that people who were already incredibly successful, like Emma Watson, Elton John, and Shakira were hoarding money offshore while also living lavish lives. What is the point of continuing to accumulate so much wealth past the point that you and the next generations could already live comfortably in financial peace? Certainly people should be able to attain vast wealth and never work a day again if they so choose, but there is a point when continuing to amass a fortune becomes immoral.

At some point, a moral obligation to return wealth to communities must exist. “We’ve just felt it was kind of an obligation. Our money comes from this community … we feel this definitely is a ‘what goes around comes around’ type of an attitude,” one of the major philanthropists in Boulder shared privately.

They touched on the idea of returning wealth to the communities that fostered their success in the first place. “We just feel it’s inherent, with the position we are in the community, and that our money comes from here, that we need to keep the whole circle going,” they said.

Herbert J. Solomon, a philanthropist in San Diego, CA, shared his philosophy with SDSU Magazine. “Good fortune has been bestowed upon me, and therefore, I want to assist others who are less fortunate than I am.” Solomon touched on the importance of funding historically marginalized communities. He is a donor to the Jewish studies programs and recently funded the new Black Resources Center at San Diego State University.

This type of community-based giving contrasts with performative philanthropy where an ultra-wealthy individual may donate to an organization but not be integrated within or in tune with community needs. However, in the end, “It’s all a positive benefit for society, and, you know, I don’t judge the motivations. I think of them all as positive for society,” Tayer explained. Even today, the organizations like the Rockefeller Foundation and Carnegie Foundation live on and fund important programs.

Charity as a PR Move

The motivation behind philanthropy is not always pure. True, giving away wealth is inherently a selfless act, but ulterior motives can still be motivating factors. Those external factors can lead to decisions that are ultimately not about what is best for the communities in need but what benefits the organization or individuals behind it.

“Even in Europe, there are folks and families that have seen significant wealth and make decisions about, you know, building an art museum. Well is that the greatest need in Europe? But it’s certainly not a bad thing,” Tayer explained.

“There’s nothing nefarious about, you know, the way businesses and individuals try to target their own generous giving

Tayer shared that he has seen the decision-making process firsthand. “I have seen this in action [decisions on giving] to build a positive image around the company. So it’s a form of marketing associated with their general generosity, seeking recognition for being a positive community contributor. They sometimes will couple that with a targeted form of philanthropy,” he elaborated.

Tayer also explained that he sees this as an inherent good — wealth is still being returned to a community, and positive effects still come from charitable decisions even when influenced by marketing and image analysis. “There’s nothing nefarious about, you know, the way businesses and individuals try to target their own generous giving,” he said.

Giving Gone Bad

Ray Holgado wrote that the online posts “stood in stark contrast to the reality of working at CZI, which had revealed itself to be an extractive and exploitative environment for me and numerous Black employees.” Instead of making any substantial changes, Black employees were reportedly ignored by leadership.

This also highlights the problem of inclusivity at the highest levels. Involving numerous voices in decision making at the highest level has still been lacking — most CEOs and board members are still white men. An article by Charter in partnership with TIME argued that we have not seen major change in leadership diversity since the BLM movement brought systemic racism to the forefront of discussion in 2020.

The importance of partnering with established, recognized charities and philanthropic organizations can also not be overstated. There are numerous examples of celebrities setting up their own charities and promising things that never materialize, like Madonna’s school in Malawi or misusing the funds, like The Trump Foundation. Famously, Wyclef Jean used funds from his charity for Haiti to pay concert expenses among other things. Making sure organizations are open about their expenses and focus on providing services is a start.

Some charities are also more about image and marketing with little support or follow up to the communities they purport to serve. One example is the Three Cups of Tea scandal where schools were physically built but many sat empty, providing no actual services. Engaging with the communities and understanding what they actually need rather than deciding ahead of time what the charity will provide is also a critical component of truly successful giving.

Democratizing Wealth

• If there weren’t so much wealth accumulated in the hands of so few, we wouldn’t have such a need for charity that we see today. Of course philanthropic giving is a good thing, but when certain individuals accumulate to the detriment of society, them donating back to help solve the problem is not the best solution. A more equitable distribution of resources is the answer. People absolutely should be able to attain a level of wealth that allows them to live lavishly and support their families for the next generation. Hard work and ingenuity should absolutely be rewarded. This is not a call for a utopia. However, no one ever earned a billion dollars through hard work. To put numbers in perspective, if you earned $5,000 a day for the last 500 years, you would still not have amassed a billion dollars.
• Relying on wealthy individuals to choose where to focus their philanthropy is not a democratic process. “Relying on it is that, you know, means businesses and individuals have their pet interests and in certain instances, that means that great community need isn’t addressed because it just doesn’t align with the particular philanthropic goals of an individual or business,” Tayer shared. “Personally, I believe that our society should collectively make decisions about the investments that we want to make and put less of a burden on businesses specifically to address those needs,” he said.
• “I am not going to pass judgment specifically on, you know, that outlier of the significant wealthy in our community and how much they should be taxed. I mean, that’s a broader community, society question. You know, in terms of being able to make sure that we are helping to lift all elements of our society and workforce in order for them to benefit from our broader economic vitality, that’s what’s important,” Tayer elaborated.
• Not every solution is government oriented. One philanthropist shared that sometimes the problem is there are many overlapping charities with similar goals, but with varying reach, budget, and internal structure. “I think there should be some type of a clearinghouse where you tell people what your nonprofit is doing, because I think there’s six or eight other people doing the same thing. They’re asking the same people for money to support exactly the same thing, and it’d be really nice to have a thorough analysis of ‘Here’s what we’re doing. Who can we partner up with?’”

Ultimately, democratizing charity by allowing citizens to vote on programs and platforms — and reducing the need for charity by fairly taxing the wealthiest citizens so programs can be funded — will help address some of the deepest issues we face today. Mental health programs are lacking. The need for solutions for the growing unhoused population is apparent. Colorado voters made it clear they support free early childhood education. None of this can be addressed without proper funding. That funding should mostly come from billionaires.

Charity Guide

Choosing the correct charity to support can be intimidating for those that want to give back money to the community. Luckily there are some telltale signs of what to look for and what to avoid when it comes to supporting those in need. Even if you aren’t a multi-millionaire there are still great ways to help. Here are some signs to ensure your dollar goes to those in need, not in someone else’s pocket.

Signs to support:

Established organizations

Charities that have been established for a longer time have a higher chance of being credible. Of course that is not a guarantee, make sure to research organizations on sites like CharityNavigator.org or other similar resources.

Specific Claims & Goals

Some charities may claim that there are a certain number of unhoused children, but how many of those children will the charity be able to reach? Specific claims, goals in line with community need, and financial transparency are all key components to a successful charity. Finances Charities should spend a large amount of their money on helping the populations they purport to serve. If the higher ups are receiving triple digit salaries, or if staffing and fundraising seem to be the priority, that could be a sign that your money will not go towards someone in need but in keeping the organization funded.

Signs to watch out for:

New celebrity charities

Plenty of celebrities have well run, well established charities… but many do not. It can be tempting to donate to your favorite celeb’s cause but be sure they are not going at it alone. The most successful celebrity efforts often partner with established organizations to address need rather than founding their own and slapping their name on it.

Pop-up charities

Emotion can play a huge role in determining where to give. Watching a disaster unfold and finding new links to donate on social media can be a way to feel involved, but may not be the best way to help those who need it most. Unfortunately, there are those who take advantage of moments like natural disasters to set up fake organizations and pocket the money.

Low Direct Aid

The purpose of a charity is to put help in the hands of those who need it. Evaluating a charity needs to include finding out what percent of money is sent directly to help those in need. Experts recommend more than 1/3 of an organization’s money should be sent to communities in need. There is a line between including a marketing perspective in decision making and engaging in performative philanthropy purely for increasing brand awareness and profit. Ray Holgado shared his experience with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative in an article detailing Mark Zuckerberg’s and Priscilla Chan’s performative public posts regarding Black Lives Matter while simultaneously upholding systemic inequality within the organization.

The post Billionaires and Philanthropy: The New Gilded Age appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

(All photos by Zoe Jennings unless stated otherwise.)

’Tis the season for frantically buying your loved ones Amazon gifts. But what if your hard-earned money went back into the community and not toward a wealthy CEO’s second yacht? We’ve curated a shopping guide for the perfect holiday gifts from our favorite local brands. Our guide features gift ideas found on the shelves of locally owned shops in Boulder County or on the websites of local businesses. We hope you enjoy what the many makers of Colorado have to offer, but the real joy will be in purchasing a gift that you know will positively impact the community around you. From sustainability to LGBTQIA+ rights to bringing joy, each business in our guide has their own noble reasons for putting their craft out into the community. Each store owner had a wonderful story to share and was proud to point out their locally sourced merchandise.

Angie of Angie Star Jewelry poses in her Pearl Street store next to her jewelry.

Cozmo the bird hangs out in Angie Star Jewelry.

Angie Star Jewelry was just one of many stops I made to local stores, with Cozmo the bird, Penny the dog, and Angie the human greeting me as I walked in. Angie Star Jewelry, nestled within the many shops on Pearl Street in Boulder, sells silver handmade jewelry made with ethically sourced materials. Both sturdy and beautiful, the jewelry is displayed alongside delightful decorations like sand dollars, sea shells, and wonderful brass display vessels. Angie has a welcoming energy and told me that she’s lucky that she and her mom, a retired nurse, are so close. Together they run the Pearl Street store and an additional store in Fort Collins. Angie is glad that her mom can work with her and slow down from her busy days as a nurse.

Housegoods

Mugs from Longs Peak Ceramics, sold at Bricks Local Gift Shop in Longmont.

Made by hand in Longmont, these unique mugs and bowls from Longs Peak Ceramics are microwave and dishwasher safe. Longs Peak Ceramics is honest about the fact that their pieces are not flawless but are all one of a kind and not mass produced.

Grizzly Bear Mercantile cozy blanket. Photo courtesy of Lynn Starkman.

Grizzly Bear Mercantile adult and baby blankets can take tough love and are made with soft, minky fabric and attention to detail. Blankets come in various sizes, with premade options.

A bird feeder from Beyond Nature Co. Photo courtesy of Kayla Eggemeyer.

Personal Care Products

Rooted with Ali 3-in-1 spray, dry shampoo, magnesium butter, magnesium spray, sugar scrubs, lotion bars, and lip balms sold at Local Goods Colorado in Lafayette.

Rooted with Ali is a women-owned business in Loveland creating conscious skincare products. Products are made with natural, organic, and wildcrafted ingredients and packaged sustainably. These products are safe for those with skin conditions, with therapeutic-grade essential oils and scents derived from wildcrafted herbs.

Bars of soap from Muddy Mint Soap Co., sold at Maker General in Longmont.

Soaps from Muddy Mint are handmade in Longmont using palm oil-free, all-natural ingredients.

Colorado Aromatics soap, lip balm, and face & body mist, sold at Bricks Local Gift Shop.

Derived from ingredients grown on a Longmont farm, Colorado Aromatics skincare products are made to serve the skincare needs of people living in the Colorado climate. With antioxidant-rich herbs, these products help heal the damaging effects from the sun.

Bee-Och Organics body oil, body butter, sugar scrub, sun sticks, and deodorant, sold at Local Goods Colorado.

Headquartered in Fort Lupton, Bee-Och Organics is a woman-owned business specializing in small batch-crafted, cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan products. There are zero-waste and refillable options for products at their main store.

Yarrow Field and Farm bars of soap, sold at Local Goods Colorado.

Yarrow Field and Farm encourages a soft lifestyle with small batch, natural, botanical skincare products, crafts, and vintage finds.

Magic Fairy Candles bath bombs. Photo taken at Canova Home in Boulder.

With their main store in Longmont, Magic Fairy Candles has a fun, witchy vibe. Selling all-natural soy candles and body products, they sell small batch goods crafted with the intention of unifying love for the journey of every human experience.

Candles

Candelaria candles at Vintrey Honest Goods in Lafayette.

These handmade candles are crafted in the Santa Fe District of Denver. Candelaria’s owner has worked in the candle industry for 15 years and shares that knowledge through educational experiences offered at their store.

Fleetwood Candle Co. candles at Local Goods Colorado in Lafayette.

Fleetwood Candle Co. of Denver is a relatively new business started by a former special education teacher who used art as an outlet when teaching went remote during the pandemic. The candles are bright, fun, and inspired by nature.

Spruced Hen candles, sold at Bricks Local Gift Shop in Longmont.

Spruced Hen Candle Co. draws inspiration from the owner’s Longmont farm. The hand-poured candles and melts are 100 percent soy wax, additive-free, phthalate-free fragrances, and have cotton wicks.

Light Provisions candles, sold at Vintrey Honest Goods in Lafayette.

Inspired by a deep appreciation of cocktails and earthy scents, Light Provisions specializes in artisanal candles to set a peaceful tone in your house. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, the candles are hand poured into reusable vessels.

Clothing

Moore shirts, sweat shirts, and bags, sold at Vintrey Honest Goods in Lafayette.

Inspired by the Colorado landscape, Moore is a family-owned business selling high-quality clothing with hand-drawn designs.

Topo Designs beanies, sold at Vintrey Honest Goods in Lafayette.

Topo Designs began in a Fort Collins basement and has grown into a well-known company creating well-made gear for outdoor adventures.

Food and Drinks

Backyard Bev Co cocktail syrups, sold at Vintrey Honest Goods.

Backyard Bev Co offers a natural, handcrafted option for your cocktails. With Colorado-sourced, full-spectrum CBD, this mixer may actually help you feel refreshed the next day.

Conscious Coffees whole coffee beans, sold at Vintrey Honest Goods.

Based in Boulder, Conscious Coffees lives up to its name by paying above fair trade prices to support farmer cooperatives.

Fatworks premium cooking oil, ghee clarified butter, and chicken fat organic cooking oil, sold at Bricks Local Gift Shop in Longmont.

Out of Longmont, Fatworks is tackling the narrative that fat is bad for you. Made from pasture-raised, non-GMO animals without antibiotics or hormones, Fatworks’ cooking fats are designed to help create a healthy, balanced diet.

Yummy Lotus blackberry serrano lime jam, strawberry grapefruit jam, kiwi poblano jam, strawberry ghost pepper jam, mango habanero jam, and blueberry reaper jam, sold at Bricks Local Gift Shop in Longmont.

Headquartered in Denver, Yummy Lotus offers locally crafted vegan and gluten-free jams made with fresh ingredients in small batches.

Green Belly Foods yellow, red, and green hot sauces, sold at Bricks Local Gift Shop in Longmont.

Inspired by his mom’s traditional Guatemalan hot sauces, Green Belly Foods’ Juan Ignacio Stewart went from selling hot sauces from a tent at the local market to a larger-scale operation.

Whole bean coffees from Traction Coffee Roasters, sold at Bricks Local Gift Shop in Longmont.

The founders of Traction Coffee Roasters thought up the idea for their coffee roasting company after a mountain bike ride. Their main goal is to make real, authentic coffee.

Venus Spice Co. za’atar premium spice blend, hawaij warming spice blend, shawarma seasoning and rub, sold by Bricks Local Gift Shop in Longmont.

Noga, the name of the planet Venus in Hebrew, and partner, Kyle, created Venus Spice Co., a Boulder-based spice company specializing in the Middle Eastern flavors of Noga’s family’s recipes and traditions.

Bee Grateful Farm salted honey caramels and lavender honey caramels, sold at Bricks Local Gift Shop in Longmont.

Bee Grateful Farm caramels are handcrafted at a natural vegetable farm in Steamboat Springs.

Stores selling local goods

Vintrey Honest Goods in Lafayette.

Vintrey Honest Goods is inspired by travel and socially conscious consumerism. Through strategic partnership, they aim to abolish human trafficking and uplift oppressed people. The store sells consciously curated household, fashion, and jewelry options. They sell several Colorado brands.

Wolf & Wren Press in Longmont.

Owned by best friends, Wolf & Wren Press combines the traditional art of letterpressing to meet your modern design and printing needs. A portion of their profits goes toward supporting organizations that are creating positive change for the environment.

Bricks Local Gift Shop in Longmont.

Shop over 100 Colorado brands at Bricks Local Gift Shop for gifts, souvenirs, food, home goods, and more.

Local Goods Colorado in Lafayette.

Local Goods Colorado sells all local merchandise and aims to build relationships with all makers while also promoting community with customers.

Canova Home in Boulder.

Working with local artists and international fair trade groups to bring unique pieces, Canova Home brings unique home, art, jewelry, and more to Pearl Street.

Lula Faye Fiber in Boulder.

Fighting against the fast-moving cycle of fast fashion, Lula Faye Fiber offers handmade textiles that makers can use and then will be returned back to the earth. The store sells locally produced textiles.

Two Hands Paperie in Boulder.

Created in 1993, Two Hands Paperie is a family-owned business selling journals, paper, notebooks, books, cards, art supplies, decorations, and more. The store makes products in house and sells local brands.

Maker General in Longmont.

Maker General is intended to be a “general store” for creatives and makers who work with textiles and fibers. They sell gifts and supplies and offer a variety of maker workshops and classes meant to encourage the creative spirit in the community.

Art

Daniele Gold of Mountainside Acrylics holding one of her psychedelic watercolor paintings. Photo courtesy of Daniele Gold.

Daniele Gold of Denver-based Mountainside Acrylics is an acrylic and graphic artist specializing in feminine, psychedelic, and traveling-inspired art. Selling prints, paintings, and custom designs, each piece combines abstract concepts with the beauty of nature.

Uptripping art, sold at Local Goods Colorado in Lafayette.

Located in Winter Park, Uptripping reflects the global and adventurous lifestyle of its creators.

Chalkboard painting by Grey Grimm, sold at Two Hands Paperie in Boulder.

Specializing in oil, charcoal, watercolor chalkboard design, digital illustration, and murals, Grey Grimm sells art and is available for commissions.

Stickers and prints from Geranium Studio Shop, sold at Bricks Local Gift Shop.

Created by two friends hoping to bring joy to others, Geranium Studio Shop sells watercolor art inspired by Colorado landscapes.

Engraved decorative sign by Vicki Riedel, who has three businesses: Green Hen Designs, Rock N Creations, and Riedel Enterprises. Photo courtesy of Vicki Riedel.

Green Hen Designs, Rock-N-Creations, and Riedel Enterprises, operating out of Erie, provide engraving needs for both commercial and personal purposes.

Nisha Fine Art painting. Photo courtesy of Nisha Ghela.

Landscape paintings, both small and large, along with little printed notecards from Nisha Fine Art turn Colorado’s natural beauty into art, perfect for gift giving.

Bird house made by Peter Buwalda of Buwalda Fine Art Studio. Photo courtesy of Kimberly Buwalda.

Art Supplies

Art supplies sold at the Art Parts Creative Reuse Center in Boulder.

The Art Parts Creative Reuse Center in Boulder was founded to help reduce waste. Art Parts has helped keep over 188,000 pounds of creative materials out of landfills. With any art supplies you might need, you can make a local gift at a cheap price without adding more waste to the world.

Paper Cuts Press pencils, sold at Two Hands Paperie in Boulder.

Upcycling and repurposing is the motto at Papercuts Press, which makes fun gifts out of repurposed material.

Coy Ink Studio water coloring and postcards kits, sold at Maker General in Longmont.

Longmont artist Amanda Maldonado of Coy Ink Studio is not only passionate about community and accessibility to art but sells handcrafted pen, ink, and watercolor art.

Wools from High Country Wool, sold at Lula Faye Fiber in Boulder.

Dedicated to connecting people to the land, High Country Wool dyes and handles the wool in a way that makes the wool light, airy, and full of life.

Nanci Hill Feeney Roll-up Caddy, sold at Two Hands Paperie in Boulder.

Nanci Hill Feeney’s roll-up caddies hold pencils, pens, and brushes in fun roll-up containers. For online orders, email nancihillfeeney@gmail.com. Nanci doesn’t have a dedicated website, but can receive order requests through email.

Handmade paper sold and made at Two Hands Paperie in Boulder.

Two Hands Paperie makes paper from recycled t-shirts for your stationery needs.

Cards and Stickers

Sweet & Snarky Greetings cards, sold at Two Hands Paperie in Boulder.

Want a sweet card, a snarky card, or maybe both? Longmont-based, eco-friendly greeting card company has you covered. Sweet & Snarky Greetings creates the fun content and art on their cards.

New parents and gender confirmation cards from Ladyfingers Letterpress, sold at Maker General on Longmont.

Lady Fingers Letterpress is a queer, trans-owned and operated business selling stationery, cards, and gifts out of Colorado Springs. Award winning, Lady Fingers uses their platform to support and create cards promoting women’s, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and immigrant rights.

Customizable cards at Wolf & Wren Press in Longmont.

Wolf & Wren Press designs holiday cards in house at their Longmont shop.

Stickers made and sold by Wolf & Wren Press in Longmont.

Shop the many fun and colorful stickers made by Wolf & Wren Press in Longmont. The stickers are designed in the shop.

Holiday cards made and sold by Wolf & Wren Press in Longmont.

Holiday cards sold and made at Wolf & Wren Press in Longmont.

Decorations

arubymoon wood block print prayer flags, sold at Two Hands Paperie in Boulder.

Inspired by Tibetan prayer flags, arubymoon makes gratitude and grief flags, cards, and prints with the intention to inspire people to connect, create, and honor life.

Decorative banners, made and sold at Two Hands Paperie.

Made from upcycled saris, tassel banners sold and made at Two Hands Paperie can be strung up, worn, and adored.

Plants

Plants sold at Green Pony Houseplants & Vintage in Louisville.

Furniture

Custom-made table and chairs built in Dancing Grains Woodworks in Boulder.

Dancing Grains Woodworks handcrafts custom-made products out of high-quality wood. The store features already made products and slabs of wood that can be chosen for custom pieces.

Vanier Contour chair. Photo courtesy of Blake Vanier.

A locally run startup, Vanier Contour chairs are handbuilt. The floating slat provides a perfectly contouring sitting experience no matter what position.

Jewelry

Fleetwood Candle Co. earrings, sold at Local Goods Colorado in Lafayette.

Born out of the dark times of Covid, Fleetwood Candle Co. makes fun and colorful earrings too.

Turquoise and silver jewelry sold at Angie Star Jewelry in Boulder.

Jewelry at Angie Star Jewelry includes both silver jewelry and beaded jewelry and malas.

Earrings from Ammonite Swirls, sold at Bricks Local Gift Shop.

The husband and wife duo of Ammonite Swirls sell their handmade jewelry to pay for rent, car payments, and food for their cats. They run their ecologically friendly business in addition to their jobs working as a musician and conservationist.

Rubarb Jewelry earrings, sold at Bricks Local Gift Shop in Longmont.

Friends Ruth and Barb became friends and quickly started making jewelry together. Rubarb Jewelry handmakes simple but elegant jewelry.

Pets

Winnie Lou the Canine Co. Berry Boost Bones and Carrot Doggie Treat, sold at Bricks Local Gift Shop in Longmont.

Winnie Lou started as a food truck and now brings dog products made from Colorado farms to fur families all over the state. Only real, whole foods are used in their products.

Suzie’s CBD Treats Original, Apple, and Pumpkin Bites, sold at Bricks Local Gift Shop in Longmont.

Does your dog deserve to chill out? Suzie’s CBD Treats offers many yummy products for your animals containing CBD grown on their Fort Collins farm.

Local Shops Online

Holiday Markets & Fundraisers

Memberships to Makerspaces

The artists and makers in your life may appreciate memberships to local makerspaces as gifts.

Tools and warehouse space are available to members of The Gizmo Dojo makerspace in Northglenn.

The Gizmo Dojo: A makerspace located in Northglenn. Memberships start at hobbyist level at $50 a month for those looking to do personal projects enthusiast level at $100 for those who will be more involved at the dojo, and small business level for $250 for those wanting to sell products out of the dojo. All levels include 24/7 access to the building.

TinkerMill warehouse for makers is open 24/7 to members.

TinkerMill: Located in Longmont, members get full access to the workshop space, discounted classes, 24/7 access, voting rights, and reservations. Memberships available for $30 dollars a month for people with limited income, $60 for individuals, $90 for a bundle good for five people, and $120 for a corporate bundle of five employees.

Small businesses donate 250 percent more than large business counterparts to community causes. Over $9.3 billion would be returned to our economy if every U.S. family spent just $10 a month at a local business. Maybe this year our holiday season can mean more than convenience. Purchases from local businesses can pay for the lives of those around you and go toward causes that make our community better.

The post Community over CEOs: Local Retail Guide 2022 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

RETAIL

RESTAURANTS

HEALTH & BEAUTY

SERVICES

The post Retailers Pick Guide 2022 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

For many, the holidays are a joyous season. Family and friends coming together and reconnecting. Snow falling lightly in the backyard as fireplaces make warm homes warmer. Full cups and dinner tables, cold hearts grown three sizes. We look forward to the laughter and cheer, the chance to show those we love just how much we love them. But for many others, it is the hardest part of the year. The lights on the tree are not shining bright for so many. As the cold descends upon us, bringing with it the season of giving, remember that there are those fighting against the cold and that they need help. Please consider donating to these wonderful, powerful, necessary organizations.

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains

These are dire times, there’s no denying it. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, a war on women and those able to give birth has been declared. Thankfully, Colorado is a state dedicated to upholding the rights that were stricken away on a federal level. Nevertheless, organizations such as Planned Parenthood need all the help they can get. Since 1916, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains has been dedicated to providing Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Southern Nevada with access to high-quality reproductive and sexual health care; medically accurate, age-appropriate sex education; and working to provide safe, legal access to abortion. Their action fund website lists and provides comprehensive information about the most important issues that Planned Parenthood is fighting to address. The first and foremost is abortion access. Additionally, they provide access to information regarding the bans, state attacks against abortion rights, Roe v. Wade, and why every American citizen regardless of gender needs to be informed and concerned about the issue. Birth control information is also available, as is information on health care equity which ensures that all people in this country, including immigrants, have access to sexual and reproductive health care. They also fight for sexual assault survivors to be protected by legislature. In this time of extreme turmoil, Planned Parenthood is both incredibly scrutinized, demonized, and threatened. Their cause is one of the most important in this country, and they could use your support.

Native American Rights Fund

Native Americans are one of the most disenfranchised groups in the country. The U.S. government has reneged on treaty after treaty promising reservations help with basic necessities such as obtaining food and employment. They have been beaten down time and time again by those who came to this land and stole it from them. The tragedy that the American government has rained down on them for centuries is nothing short of horrific. In 1970, attorney John Echohawk started the Native American Rights Fund, which provides legal representation for Native American tribes, groups, and individuals. Indian law is extremely complicated and constantly changing, so groups like NARF can help Native peoples navigate the increasingly difficult legal landscape. In its 50 years of service, NARF has become one the most visible and important Native American legal groups in the country and has become one of the most trusted consultants when it comes to creating policy surrounding Native rights. It is incredibly important that Native peoples have groups such as NARF fighting for them. When you sit down to Thanksgiving dinner and remember the old stories you were taught in grade school of the happy pilgrims and helpful Indians, think of the truth and that you can do something to help.

Out Boulder County

Out Boulder is BOCO’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. They are about celebrating the vibrancy of the queer community and the beauty of equality while also understanding and fighting against the very real issues that the community faces. Their work transcends sociological labels such as gender identity, race, and sexual orientation. Instead, they work to make our community more inclusive and more beautiful as a result. They provide LGBTQ+ training programs that seek to inform and spread awareness about the queer community, its values, its struggles, its importance in our world. They also provide access to mental health services; COVID vaccines; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) education; youth services; and volunteer opportunities. The organization is about uniting us all through our differences, celebrating them, reminding us all that no matter who you love, who you identify as, what color your skin is, we are all worthy of respect and a place in this world. Their reach is wide and ever growing, and you can help with that.

Growing Gardens

When one thinks of the holidays, one thinks of a bounty, a wealth of gorgeous food steaming in the cold air. Turkey in the center of the table and vibrant vegetables and sides surrounding it, knives and forks held expectantly, eagerly, the dog licking its lips under the table. As important as food is in our culture, many do not stop to think about where their food comes from. Growing Gardens seeks to change this. They manage over 400 sustainable urban farming plots across seven locations in BOCO. Each location grows sustainable food that can then be distributed to the community. They also have community gardens and sustainable agriculture classes focused on cooking, bees and goats, and gardening. Interestingly, they offer something known as “horticultural therapy,” which helps seniors and people with disabilities improve their cognitive and motor abilities. Food is on the mind come holiday season, and organizations such as Growing Gardens are working to reconnect us with our local food systems and fight food insecurity.

Boulder Jewish Community Center

The Boulder Jewish Community Center is dedicated to the celebration of culture, community, and inclusion. Their website lists their values as community, joy, care, respect, growth, and generosity. Through all their programs and activities, they uphold these values by providing safe places to learn and grow and feel at home. They have an early education school for kids and camps and afterschool programs for teens. For adults, they hold art classes, health and wellness education programs, celebrations of Jewish women, the Boulder Jewish Film Festival, even pickleball clinics. In addition, one of their core tenets is their dedication to sustainable living. Their Milk and Honey Farm has year-round programs that teach sustainable farming practices to all age groups and is run largely on solar energy. In the wake of Kanye West’s antisemitic tweets that have emboldened antisemites across the country, organizations such as the Boulder JCC are more important than ever. Antisemitism is a disease that must be fought with love and joy and unabashed celebration. The JCC is a light in our community, one that can be brightened this holiday season with your support, regardless of your religious beliefs.

Feet Forward

Perhaps the youngest and smallest organization on our list, Feet Forward isn’t any less deserving of your attention. Founder Jennifer Livovich fought her way out of homelessness and used her experiences to form Feet Forward, an organization that provides the unhoused with hot meals, haircuts, and opportunities to change their situations. It recognizes basic human needs like access to food, hygiene services, and generally being treated as humans. An unhoused person should not be any less worthy of respect and compassion. Feet Forward recognizes how important basic dignity is. Being on the street for an extended period of time can make a person hopeless. Feet Forward seeks to provide that hope, to allow unhoused individuals to recognize within themselves the ability to change their situation, to climb out of the darkness. The cold seasons are incredibly dangerous for the unhoused, with many freezing to death out there searching for warmth. As you sit around your tables with your families gathered in your warm homes, take a look out the window and know that you can do something to help.

Conscious Alliance

Conscious Alliance recognizes the power and impact of art. With the tagline Art That Feeds, they work with a large network of artists, musicians, food makers, and music fans to feed those facing food insecurity. They run food drives at major concerts such as Phish, STS9, Umphrey’s McGee, Goose, and many more. Each show, they partner with an artist who creates a poster that fans can get if they bring 20 cans of non-perishable food items or make a monetary donation. The donations are then distributed to Pine Ridge Native American Reservation, local schools, families in need, and more. By using this platform of music and art, Conscious Alliance is able to shine a light on an issue that many are fortunate enough to never have to think about. After the devastation of the Marshall Fires they worked to feed affected families and households that had lost everything. Around Thanksgiving, they distribute turkeys to Pine Ridge, a place known as a “food desert,” as well as to families in Boulder County and the surrounding areas that can’t afford a Thanksgiving meal. Each dollar donated can feed two kids, so any donation goes an incredibly long way.

Colorado Moms Demand Action

The cause is simple: Mothers are tired of their children being slaughtered. Gun violence is a uniquely American epidemic. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 531 mass shootings in America this year alone. One would think that the country’s population would seek out every single possibility to stop the senseless, preventable deaths of hundreds of our citizens, of our children. Moms Demand Action believes in this fight. Started in the wake of the Sandy Hook Massacre as a Facebook group by Shannon Watts, a mother of five, Moms Demand Action has developed into a full-fledged movement composed of mothers, fathers, students, families, concerned citizens, anyone who cares enough to work to prevent gun violence in America. With a chapter in every state and Washington D.C., they have grown to be one of the most visible and important groups in the fight against gun violence. This is a wound that has never been allowed to heal, constantly ripped open by news of yet another incident occurring almost daily. It’s especially fresh for the people of Boulder County after a shooter killed 10 people at the Table Mesa King Soopers in Boulder a little over a year ago. It is difficult to not become desensitized to it, its mindlessness, its frequency. It should not take what happened in Uvalde to reignite the conversation. Action has to happen now. These are the people keeping the conversation, the fight, alive.

Imagine!

Imagine! seeks to provide people with cognitive, physical, and developmental disabilities with opportunities to become involved with their communities. They divide their services between two distinct categories: Community Centered Board Services and Direct Support Services. CCB services are designed to be an access point for local towns and areas to receive entry into local, state, and federally funded programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. DSS are designed to integrate people with developmental, physical, and cognitive disabilities into their communities. These include employment services, educational and therapeutic services, recreation activities, living opportunities, and behavioral health services. Their work is dedicated to equity, inclusion, love, and compassion — values of the holiday season.

Community Food Share

Community Food Share is a Feeding America food bank serving Boulder and Broomfield Counties. They see themselves as just another friendly neighbor, the kind of neighbor that doesn’t really exist anymore, one that lives next door and bakes you a cake when you move in and watches your cat when you ask them to. While they deliver food to seniors, families, and anyone else who might need it, they also act as a sort of hub, a nucleus of organizations all dedicated to fighting hunger in their respective communities. Approximately 80% of the food they distribute is donated and 65% is distributed to larger agencies that then use it to help communities, while 25% is delivered directly. The holiday season is best spent with warm food and full bellies surrounded by love. Community Food Share works everyday to make that a reality right next door.

The post 2022 Giving Guide: Organizations that need more than thoughts and prayers appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

RETAIL

Alpaca Connection

1334 Pearl Street, Boulder • 303-447-2047 • thealpacaconnection.com

The Alpaca Connection is ideal for holiday gifts due to their extensive selection of artistic and comfortable sweaters, ponchos, and coats. Produced by native communities and manufactured with Peruvian materials, the combination of luxury and authenticity establish the sweaters as prime holiday gifts. The intricate designs, compelling shapes, and symmetrical patterns are aesthetically remarkable for those who see the sweaters, and the soft material is incredibly comfortable for those who are lucky enough to wear the items. Of all the options, the zipper sweater is a perfect present for your loved ones during the winter holidays. With the zipper blending into the design seamlessly, they can wear the item as an attractive sweater at social events, or they can leave the sweater unzipped and throw it on as a convenient jacket when stepping outside.

Boulder Drum Shop

3070 28th Ave, Suite D, Boulder • 303-402-0122 • boulderdrumshop.com

The Drum Shop offers a comprehensive array of drums from the world over as well as everything the working drummer needs to enhance his or her creative gigging experience.

“I’ve been going to the Boulder Drum Shop for over 20 years since Billy’s been in existence. I’ve always got the best prices and best equipment available. Also, the personal attention Billy gives his customers is untouched.” – Michael

Bricks Retail

512 4th Avenue, #103, Longmont • 720-680-0555 • bricksretail.com

Welcome! I’m Jennifer Ferguson and the Founder of Bricks. I’ve served the Longmont entrepreneurial community for the past 10 years in numerous capacities including as an Entrepreneur myself. This unique brick and mortar store is located in the heart of downtown Longmont. Launched in October 2020 as a pop up.

Colorado In a Basket

199 Summit Way, Erie • 303-664-1401 • coloradobaskets.com

The Nutcracker Gift Basket. $115.00: Cranberry Cashew Cherry Nut Mix, Cashew Brittle, Hammond’s Holiday Art Candies, Chocolate Pecan Turtle, Chocolate-Covered Sea Salt Caramels, Hammond’s Sugar Plum Candy Cane, Creamy Chocolate Fudge, Holiday Spice Dip Mix, Nutcracker Whipped Honey, Boxed Holiday Chocolates, Chocolate Nutcracker, Holiday Fruit and Nut Chocolate Bar, Aspen Mulling Spices

“The baskets are always beautiful and brimming with wonderful Colorado goodies.”

Crystal Ski Shop

1933 28th Street, Suite #101, Boulder • 303-449-7669 • crystalskishop.com

Holiday Special: Gift Certificate for Full Tune of Skis or Snowboard, Gift Certificate to try something new, and a Giro Ski Helmet.

“Nothing says ‘love and care about you’ like a helmet to ensure their safety and well-being.”

Elements Boulder

1534 55th Street, Boulder • 303-444-0861 • elementsboulder.com

Elements Boulder is a shop that caters to all lifestyles by carrying the largest selection of strains in Boulder County. So you get more of what you want. Loyalty Program: 1 pt. per $1 spent to redeem for in store cash back/credit.

“I had the best experience! Prices are great and staff super friendly! Very much enjoy this store!!”

Firehouse Art Center

667 4th Avenue, Longmont • 303-651-2787 • firehouseart.org

Embroidered and beaded art by Betsy Anderson. So many unique art pieces to choose from! – Prices vary

“The Firehouse Art Center is really as good as it gets for an art experience in Longmont!!!” – Tara

Front Range Mercantile

1201 South Sunset St, Longmont • 303-776-6605 • frontrangeindoorfleamarket.com

Front Range Mercantile first opened in 1989 and we’re just so appreciative of everyone that’s supported us for the last 32 years. You’ve made our dreams come true! Our goal has always been to provide Colorado with all treasures they could ever need or want.

“Good selection and prices, lots of old items, nice staff. Be prepared to spend some time. Mostly old things ..good pickings!”

Great Harvest Bread Company

2525 Arapahoe Ave, #A-4, Boulder • 303-442-3062 • ghboulder.com

Holiday breads, cookies, pies, gift baskets, honey jars, spreads, soups, pre-made mixes.
Pumpkin Bread, $9.35

“The perfect blend of pumpkin and chocolate chips in every delicious bite!  Enjoy this addictive bread at brunch or as dessert, serve it at your next holiday party, or give it as a special gift.”

Green Eyed Motors

4040 Salazar Way, Frederick • 720-310-5095 • greeneyedmotors.com

Luke Walch started Green Eyed Motors because he wanted to make a change in the world. He wanted to provide the community with an eco-friendly car dealership to help end air pollution. We’re a locally owned and environmentally aware company with a focus on selling clean, green used cars!

“Probably the first non-oily-feeling car dealership I’ve been to. It’s nicer to do business with people that treat you like people.”

Ivy Rose

520 Main Street, Longmont • 303-718-1091 • ivyroselongmont.com

Ivy Rose is a boutique full of ever changing, on trend clothing, jewelry, and accessories for women of all generations. Our customers love our plaid shirts and at $29 each they make great gifts for all the Colorado girls on you list.

JAX Outdoor Gear

900 S Highway 287, Lafayette • 720-266-6160 • jaxgoods.com

BioLite HeadLamp 200 – This headlamp delivers excellent fit, versatile lighting modes, and USB rechargeability so you can leave the disposable batteries behind. $44.99

“Love it! Rechargeable and lightweight too.”

Kilwins

1430 Pearl Street, Boulder • 303-442-1940 • kilwins.com/stores/kilwins-boulder

Tour of Kilwins Christmas Basket. Welcome to a Tour of Kilwins, starting with our signature Truffle Assortment, followed by our delicious Caramel Corn, Peanut Brittle, Milk Chocolate Tuttles, Fudge Topping, Milk Pecan Snapper, and Caramel Chews. Truly delicious! $79.99

“Since 1947 Kilwins has been a celebrated part of Americana having earned a reputation for providing high quality chocolates, ice cream, and confections combined with excellent service.”

Larkridge Mall

16542 Washington St, Thornton • 303-595-9919 • shoplarkridge.com

Your destination for shopping, dining, entertainment, and everyday services with more than 40 retailers. Here’s to a safe, healthy and happy holiday season!

Downtown Longmont

303-651-8484 • downtownlongmont.com

Your destination for small town charm and modern urban grit. With innovative businesses, authentic people, tangible history, and Colorado’s best craft culture, Downtown Longmont has something for everyone. Come explore and discover your new favorite place today.

MECO Coffee Collective

627 Main Street, Longmont • 303-834-8418 • mecolongmont.com

Moose Meals Freeze Dried Apples, Candy & More. $3.99-$5.99

“Moose Meals freeze dried products are the perfect addition to any Holiday gift basket or stocking. Moose Meals started out as dream of finding the perfect balance between family time and work time and transformed into a reality of being able to enjoy both!”

Monkton Guitars

1505 W 1st Ave, Ste. A, Broomfield • 303-484-1271 • monktonguitars.com

We have been selling vintage guitars, amps, and effects for 31 years. In addition to a fine selection of vintage and used gear, we will now also carry retail inventory including major brands; Epiphone, Eastman, Cordoba, Guild, Marshall, Nash, PRS SE, and Supro. Offering 15% off accessories to include strings and straps.

“Great store, good selection, and the owner is a super cool dude.” – Arthur

Moxie Bread Co.

641 Main Street, Louisville • 720-420-9461 • moxiebreadco.com

Local eatery inspired by old world food craftsmanship. We specialize in rustic, simple, and delicious baked goods served in an open, inviting environment designed to welcome the whole family.

Our breads are made with non-GMO (sometimes organic, and sometimes even biodynamic) local flours and grains that undergo a long and slow fermentation process. This fermentation process breaks down many of the proteins and compounds in the grain, and helps create more healthful bread that’s easier to digest (and has even proven to be tolerated by some people with sensitivity to highly processed white flour breads).

Orchard Town Center

I-25 and 144th Ave, Westminster • 303.450.8600 • theorchardtowncenter.com

Unwrap the holiday magic at The Orchard Town Center with free gift wrap, live music performances, and the area’s best selection of retail shops. Get your holiday shopping done at Nordstrom Rack, Macy’s, Sephora, Old Navy, and many more!

The Orchard Town Center is welcoming three new restaurants for the foodie in you! Enjoy steak at Law’s Chophouse, bar-b-que at Elevated Q and a unique “bar”cade at Windfall Brewing Co. opening this holiday.

Plante

375 McCaslin Boulevard, Suite A, Louisville • 720-372-7900 • weareplante.com

Weekly Plant Maintenance, Plant Doctor Consultation, Repotting, Interior Plant Design, Delivery and Installation, Live Plant Rental. Take the worry out of plant care and always have beautiful, healthy plants with our specialized weekly maintenance program at home or in the office

“Plant lover’s heaven here!!! I found this place [by] Google and followed the reviews from Yelp and OMG…. This is not your ordinary nursery or plant store. This is a place where the owners truly care about the plants and are very knowledgeable.”

Snowy Peaks Winery

292 Moraine Avenue, Estes Park • 970-586-2099 • snowypeakswinery.com

Colorado Grown – Colorado Crafted Tempranillo and 26 custom-made gift baskets full of Colorado made products

Experiences – gift certificates for wine tasting.

“We stopped to enjoy some wine and ended up going back a second time! Wonderful staff and a nice atmosphere too! The sangria is delicious.”

Starbuds

1156 Dillon Rd, Suite #3, Louisville • 720-389-6313 • starbuds.us

The Louisville store has numerous marijuana products, including various strains, vapes, accessories, and topicals. Gifting edibles has emerged as an especially popular option for a cozy holiday season. Many people enjoy putting the edibles in the stockings, and you can also have fun by burying the edibles beneath a pile of relatively boring items so your loved one has to dig through the entire stocking. While Starbuds has many edibles, their fruity Muncheez Gummies and Starbuds Pebble Bites would be a great way to bring in the holidaze feel!

Each dollar spent pre-tax gets a point. See our website for daily deals.

Wally’s Quality Meats

11187 Sheridan Blvd, #8, Broomfield • 303-439-8024 • wallysqualitymeats.com

Quality meats start with a quality source. Wally’s is known for being the place to go when only the finest will do. Whether it’s a holiday, special occasion, a great day to grill, or you simply want to treat yourself to the best, Wally’s offers a wide selection of the highest quality meats available.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Blooming Massage

421 21st Ave, Suite #2, Longmont • 303-827-5101 • bloomingmassage.com

Blooming Massage is a massage wellness center with licensed and highly skilled professionals, designed to provide you with a contoured massage session to enhance and sustain your quality of life through therapeutic touch.

Buy a massage gift certificate! It is a wonderful way to say ‘Thank You’ or to simply offer the gift of health and well-being.

“Spacious, cozy, private rooms. Terri is the best – she knows just what you need and adjusts to your body and energy on any given day.”

Evergreen Cottage

502 West Baseline Rd, Lafayette • 303-926-0426 • evergreencottagespaandhairsalon.com

Get ready for the holidays: Add some sparkle with $10 off Highlights. Buy 2 gift certificates and receive travel Aveda hand relief.

“Best salon around. Rebecca does an outstanding job and has for many years! I highly recommend her and the lovely little cottage!”

RESTAURANT

Blue Corn Tacos

1515 Main St, Suite #5, Longmont • 720-340-4564 • sitios.endigital.com/blue-corn-tacos/mexican-food/longmont/

Jose and Aidee have worked for more than 10 years in the food industry. Proud to be Mexicans, they wanted to share the traditional tacos acorazados. This is how the idea of Blue Corn Tacos arises.

“Longmont is fortunate to have this yummy taco spot; a fun, hip and simple decor is surrounded by super professional service and the carnitas are awesome!!”

Busaba

133 South McCaslin Boulevard, Louisville • 303-665-0330 • busabaco.com

Busaba serves Thai favorites including curries and noodles. Take a break from your holiday shopping or cooking and eat some Thai specials!

Button Rock Bakery

1377 Forest Park Circle, Suite 102, Lafayette • 303-926-1676 • buttonrockbakery.com

Holiday Special: Cookie Platters. A delectable assortment of Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies, Peppermint Brownies, Sugar Cookies, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Spritz Cookies, and Gingersnaps (available in regular and gluten-free)!

Chicken Jack’s

26 Ken Pratt Boulevard, Longmont • ordercj.com

Chicken Jack’s was created with our guests, our team and our communities in mind. Our mission is “Serve our guests the highest quality food, serve our team the highest quality work environment, serve our communities the highest quality of care.”

“This is a great new addition to Longmont. The service was great along with the food cooked to order.”

Cosmo’s Pizza

Multiple locations • cosmospizza.com

Fresh local ingredients, no frills, just great New York Pizza with a crust that’ll flip your every taste bud.

Hapa Sushi

1117 Pearl Street, Boulder • 303-835-9748 • hapasushi.com

“Hapa” is derived from the Hawaiian term that describes a harmonious blend of Asian & American cultures. Their menu is based on traditional Japanese cooking fundamentals which are then amplified, muted, or mixed with influences from many different styles of cooking until they are something completely new: they’re Hapa.

Jaipur Indian Restaurant

1800 Broadway Street, Suite #160, Boulder • 303-442-0999 • jaipurindianrestaurant.com

Experience authentic Indian cuisine right here in Boulder, Colorado just one block south of Pearl Street.  Enriched with excellent and experienced chefs, cuisines, and ambiance. Jaipur specializes in catering services available for any kind of indoor and outdoor events.

“Delicious food, fast delivery, great prices for tons of food. FIVE STARS.” – A.M.

Kalita Grill

2426 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder • 303-443-0596 • kalitagrill.com

Family-owned Greek fare with an array of Mediterranean grilled meats & sides in a relaxed space. The cuisine at Kalita Grill includes classical Greek favorite foods, which are made fresh daily. From salads to gyros to dinner time plates, we use only quality, fresh ingredients. Let us cater your holiday gathering, call today for details.

“Great Greek food! Gyros are the best I’ve found in Boulder! So glad to have found Kalita Grill!”

Outworld Brewery

1725 Vista View Drive, Suite B, Longmont • 720-545-2337 • outworldbrewing.com

At Outworld Brewing, a delight to the senses awaits. From the curved mezzanine and subtle nods to sci-fi fantasy fandom, Outworld Brewing offers great beer (Belgian, Bavarian and Ancient) and a culinary adventure, and is one of the most atypical social spots you will find on the Front Range in northern Colorado. Those seeking exceptionally crafted beer and some of the most unique culinary offerings that Longmont has to offer will not be disappointed. Located between I-25 and Highway 287 in East Longmont, Outworld Brewing also has delivery and curbside pick-up. Feast Package and Family Meals can be pre-ordered, online or by phone, during the Holidays.

“Outworld  Brewing has great food, good beers, and an amazing vibe… They have done an amazing job setting up the space to feel like something out of a science fiction novel. It’s truly one of a kind, and definitely worth a visit! The staff was extremely friendly and accommodating.” – Evan R.

Paul’s Coffee

956 W Cherry St, Ste. #101, Louisville • 720-259-1723 • paulscoffeeandtea.com

Paul’s is a locally owned and operated micro-roastery and full-service coffee shop based in Louisville. We strive to serve the finest and freshest seasonal coffees, teas, and treats to you. Now selling wholesale. Call for details.

“One of my favorite stops going into Boulder. They have quality coffee and friendly staff who always want to serve you. Their commitment to reducing waste is so nice.”

Ras Kassa’s

802 South Public Road, Lafayette • 303-447-2919 • raskassas.com

Twenty-eight years in operation, two locations (Boulder and Lafayette), and an amazing variety of traditional Ethiopian cuisine to satisfy your cravings while broadening your palette. Stop in for the warmth of place, of people, of food, and try some honey wine while you’re here.

Snarf’s

2660 Pearl Street, Boulder • 303-444-7766 • eatsnarfs.com

Jimmy Seidel (“Snarf”) decided to stop looking for the world’s finest sandwich… and set out to create it instead. In 1996, he opened the very first Snarf’s in Boulder, Colorado in what’s affectionately referred to as “The Shack.”

“I order this almost every single day. The 5” sounds so small but I can barely eat half!” – Susie

Taj Mahal III

1075 E South Boulder Rd, #145, Louisville • 303.926.0999 • tajmahal3.com

“Food is the music inside the body and music is the food inside the soul making your taste buds dance for 20 years. Thank you for all the happiness.”

Tangerine

Boulder: 2777 Iris Avenue; Lafayette: 300 South Public Road; Longmont: 379 Main Street • tangerineeats.com

Located in North Boulder, Old Town Lafayette and Main St. Longmont, Tangerine creates innovative takes on traditional morning fare with menus rich with natural quality and focused on fresh products.  Healthy if you want it – or less so – if you want that, with many vegetarian and gluten-free options.  Enjoy daytime meals with our bright and cheery decor, a full bar, and world class espresso/coffee program featuring locally roasted Salto Coffee Works.

Village Coffee Shop

1605 Folsom Street, Boulder • 303-442-9689 • villagecoffeeshopboulder.com

Village Coffee Shop’s motto is “890 sq. feet of reality surrounded by Boulder.” Easily the least bougie diner in Boulder, it serves nationally award-winning pancakes and has garnered awards like “Best Place to Eat Breakfast in Last Night’s Clothes” and “Best Place for the Slightly Hungover.”

SERVICES

Aspen Winds

1051 Fall River Court, Estes Park • 970-586-6010 • aspenwinds.com

Looking for Rocky Mountain National Park lodging? A stay at Aspen Winds provides the opportunity to experience the splendor of the Rockies as you have only imagined possible. Conveniently located 3 miles west of central downtown Estes Park and 1½ miles from the Fall River entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, Aspen Winds provides a comfortable lodging experience. We offer spa suites and one or two bedroom condominium suites on the river that appeal to every vacationer’s needs.

Leadville Railroad

326 East 7th Street, Leadville, CO • 866-386-3936 • leadville-train.com

2021 HOLIDAY EXPRESS: Climb aboard the Leadville Railroad, for a magical, fun-filled holiday adventure! Travel through the snowy Colorado mountains on a memorable trip for the entire family!  Come enjoy our decorated train with lights.

Enjoy seating in one of our three brand-new heated lounge cars with comfortable booth seating and large windows.

School of Rock – Broomfield

11970 Quay St, Broomfield • 303-325-3772 • broomfield.schoolofrock.com

Give The Gift of Music! Discover your inner rock star as you learn guitar, bass, keyboard, vocals, or drums. Programs starting at $115/month.

“Our daughter loves attending the school and she is learning the ins and outs of being in a band.” – Laura A.

Shredder Indoor Ski & Snowboard School

Boulder • Central Park • Frederick • Lafayette • Stapleton • Wheat Ridge  |  shredderski.com

Shredder is a Colorado-owned, independent company focused on community engagement and families. Our business is designed to help lower the barriers of entry for kids and adults to learn a new sport by addressing the common industry issues of time, distance, and money.

The post Locavore Retail Guide 2021 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The Art of Giving Back

by Nikhil Mehta

After more than a year of tumult and upheaval, mass vaccination and other safety measures have helped many Americans return to some sense of normalcy. For millions across the country, however, and hundreds of thousands in Colorado, the COVID-19 pandemic deepened existing inequities and gaps for vulnerable communities. Though the economy has rebounded from the darkest days of the pandemic, economic opportunity, education, nutrition, and mental illness are still serious issues facing many across Boulder County. And climate change continued unabated by the Coronavirus, bringing the world that much closer to the brink of a catastrophe.

Boulder County has dozens of organizations working to address all of these problems, but they need your help. Whether you donate your time, money, or urgently-needed items, you can save lives in your community today. With Colorado Gives Day approaching on Tuesday, December 7, be sure to take time and give to a local charity or nonprofit in need to ensure that those in need are provided for during the holiday season.

Community Food Share

Phone: (303) 652-3663
Email: info@communityfoodshare.org
Website: communityfoodshare.org

“Hunger is a reality for 1 in 8 people in Boulder and Broomfield Counties.”

Even though Boulder County’s median household income outpaces that of the United States as a whole, food insecurity is still a serious issue in the area. Community Food Share is a food bank leading the fight against hunger by acting as a hub for the delivery of millions of pounds of food to over 40 local food pantries and meal programs. They also provide fresh, nutritious food directly to families, seniors, and students through onsite and mobile pantries. Every $5 donated to Community Food Share provides $25 of groceries to someone in need, making them a great destination for a holiday donation. You can volunteer by yourself, with your family (kids ages 5+), or with a group at their Louisville warehouse or their gardens and mobile pantries around Boulder.

“Remember us on Colorado Gives Day!”

First Nations Development Institute

Phone: (303) 774-7836
Email: info@firstnations.org
Website: firstnations.org

“First Nations Development Institute believes that when armed with the appropriate resources, Native Peoples hold the capacity and ingenuity to ensure the sustainable, economic, spiritual, and cultural well-being of their communities.”

First Nations Development Institute has been helping fund Native American communities across the United States since 1980. They invest in Native communities in six key areas:

• Stewarding Native Lands
• Nourishing Native Foods & Health
• Advancing Household & Community Asset-Building Strategies
• Strengthening Tribal & Community Institutions
• Investing in Native Youth
• Achieving Native Financial Empowerment

They have managed more than 2,000 grants and $45 million for projects in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territory American Samoa. They have been imperative in helping Native communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic by directly distributing almost $5 million to Native populations in need. With inequities and vulnerabilities continuing to devastate Native Americans, their work is vital to supporting education, nutrition, and more in Native communities.

“First Nations is the most highly rated American Indian nonprofit in the nation, meeting strict criteria of top charity watchdogs.”

Western Resource Advocates

Phone: (303) 444-1188
Email: info@westernresources.org
Website: westernresourceadvocates.org

“The impacts of human development on wildlife and wild land are being felt around the world and right here in the West.”

For over 30 years, Western Resource Advocates have fought to preserve and protect local wildlife and the environment. With climate change threatening beloved natural beauties and endangered species across Colorado, the time is now to take care of our precious natural resources and the economies they support. Their work protects local wildlife while boosting local economies, especially through access to outdoor recreation including hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Western Resource Advocates have set a goal of protecting 50 percent of land and water by 2050 in order to prevent mass extinction of plant and animal species. Their team of policy experts, scientists, economists and attorneys has the requisite expertise and experience to combat the climate crisis, but they need your help. Donate on Giving Day to do your part in the fight against climate change.

“Join the fight to ensure a future for wildlife and wild lands in the West before it’s too late.”

Leave No Trace

Phone: (303) 442-8222
Email: info@lnt.org
Website: lnt.org

“Through a combination of proven education, collaborative science, and sustainable outreach initiatives, Leave No Trace has been a foundational voice guiding people in how to recreate respectfully and best care for shared outdoor areas.”

Leave No Trace promotes the care and stewardship of all outdoor areas, working to ensure that future generations can enjoy them as well. Founded originally for the sustainable stewardship of wilderness and backcountry travel, Leave No Trace has since expanded to include all forms of outdoor recreation. Your donation will fund their 2022 Hot Spots initiative, which aims to help areas recover from human-related impacts. They create a unique healthy recovery plan for each chosen location to ensure that nature and everything it has to offer will survive long into the future. Your gift will also support Leave No Trace’s education efforts that spread their sustainable approach to enjoying the outdoors.

“I believe that Leave No Trace is the absolute least I can do in exchange for hiking, camping and backpacking in outdoor and wild spaces. Stewardship of the environment is critical to ensuring that generations after me can continue to enjoy the same trails I hike and woods I wander in. Leaving No Trace is a small investment that reaps big returns.”   —Victoria, Leave No Trace Donor and Master Educator

Grief Support Network

Phone: (720) 295-4760
Email: info@griefsupportnet.org
Website: griefsupportnet.org

“GSN was created to empower people to transform through their experience of grief and loss and to break the stigma around grief in our culture, offering support for all kinds of loss, at any phase of the grief process.”

Grief Support Network works to change our how culture grieves with a positive and life-affirming approach that emphasizes mindfulness and personal growth. After founder Wendy Black Stern lost her son Noah when he was just nine months old, she embraced her grief as an opportunity to help her community. She has since worked to develop several initiatives to support others through their grief, including virtual community circles, mindful grieving programs, and mindful connection youth programs. Grief Support Network also utilizes a network of partners, providers and resources to promote collaboration and transform our approach to loss. Your contribution will support their work and keep this vital programming available to the public.

“A culture that does not run from grief but embraces it as an opportunity for growth and connection.”

Sister Carmen

Phone: (303) 665-4342
Email: info@sistercarmen.org
Website: sistercarmen.org

“Economic struggles affect us all from time to time—the loss of a job, an unexpected illness, divorce, and other life events. The many people we serve include the underemployed, newly unemployed, seniors, people with disabilities, young adults, families, and the largest group experiencing poverty—children.”

Sister Carmen Community Center has a comprehensive approach to providing for the most vulnerable in Boulder County, promoting nutrition, access to healthcare, housing assistance, and more. With more than 42,000 Boulder County residents under the poverty line, homelessness and lack of childcare are pressing needs for thousands of families. With individualized service and care, Sister Carmen offers wraparound support to those in need, focusing on providing for basic needs and empowering disadvantaged individuals. During the holiday season, donate new or gently used coats and new hats and gloves. Gift cards to local grocery stores (especially King Soopers and Walmart) are also very appreciated in denominations of $10, $15, and $20. They also accept donations of dozens of different food and household items, so be sure to help Sister Carmen stock their pantry!

“We distribute over 1.2 million lbs of food per year, and the majority of those food donations come from community members like you!”

Mindful Works

Phone: (720) 466-0532
Email: custserv@mindful-works.org
Website: mindful-works.org

“Through a combination of individual empowerment and community involvement, we intend to erase the stigma associated with mental illness.”

With the slogan, ‘Every Stitch a Purpose,’ Mindful Works hires and supports individuals in recovery from mental illness through job training and employment opportunities in the design, production, and sale of a variety of clothing and home products. Their programming emphasizes key job-related skills, including time management, attention to detail, and collaboration, to help participants prepare for a future in the workplace. With a wide range of work opportunities, individuals can hone multiple transferable skills while gaining experience and earning a real salary. Through partnerships with the Division of Rehabilitation and community mental health providers, Mindful Works helps those struggling with mental illness overcome barriers to employment. You can get involved by volunteering, and Mindful Works is also a great place to shop for holiday gifts. With everything from furniture to face masks, give two gifts with one purchase from Mindful Works.

“This transitional work experience translates to a positive line on a resume, a positive work reference, and a boost in self-esteem.”

Zonta Foothills Club

Phone: 720-352-5697
Email: president@zontafoothills.org
Website: zontafoothills.org

“We believe that the future of Boulder County, our nation and our planet, depends on the education and support of women and girls.”

Zonta Foothills Club of Boulder County promotes education, equity, health, and economic stability for women locally and around the world. The all-volunteer organization’s Zonta EducateZ program promotes women in higher education through seven scholarships and education funds, which has distributed almost $30,000 this year. They also have programming that helps students in high school and college develop leadership skills and a career path while promoting community service. As a member of the Women’s Collaborative of Boulder County, Zonta Foothills Club works to address violence against women by partnering with community organizations for education and advocacy.

“From high school through graduate school we are committed to making dreams of education become a reality.

The Reentry Initiative

Phone: (720) 640-9513
Email: info@reentryinitiative.org
Website: reentryinitiative.org

“The Reentry Initiative’s (TRI) mission is to provide comprehensive services inside and outside prison walls that empower adults to achieve fulfilling and crime-free lives in their communities.”

The Reentry Initiative utilizes a unique, evidence-based process to support formerly-incarcerated individuals reentering their communities. With a six-month pre-release course in collaboration with the Denver Women’s Correctional Facility, as well as mental health services for trauma and addiction, The Reentry Initiative has been vital to helping individuals thrive after serving time in prison since 2016. Their Longmont Welcome Back Center supports both men and women immediately after their release to promote employment and transition planning.

“TRI is 1 of 19 reentry programs in Colorado funded by WAGEES to work with men and women parolees. It is one of two programs in the state working with female inmates and the only one in Boulder County offering comprehensive wraparound services, committed to the evolution from ‘Surviving to Thriving.'”

Dairy Arts Center

Phone: (303) 440-7826
Email: info@thedairy.org
Website: thedairy.org

“The Dairy’s 42,000 square foot facility houses disciplines ranging from visual arts, theater, and film to dance and music. A professional environment complete with art galleries, performance venues, teaching studios, offices, rehearsal spaces, dance studios, and a 60-seat art-house cinema, it is Boulder’s largest multi-disciplinary arts center.”

The Dairy Arts Center is home to some of Boulder’s most popular and acclaimed arts experiences. The Art House Cinema at the Boedecker Theatre is a leading arts cinema with a diverse array of movies and performances, featuring New York Film Critics national screenings, live opera, art house special features and live-streamed ballet performances. Or, check out the Dairy’s visual arts exhibits, which are free and open to the public daily. The Dairy also offers a wide array of programming over the holidays, including Hazel Miller & the Collective’s Gospel Holiday Show with soulful renditions of holiday favorites; enjoy this annual holiday concert on Sunday, December 12. There’s also the Rocky Mountain Revels with Celtic immigrants, featuring music, Irish step dancing, a traditional Mummers’ Play, and stories of Irish legends.

“Even as we have streamlined the 2021 show to acknowledge COVID constraints, its joy reminds us all that human traditions endure through music and laughter.”

The post 2021 Giving Guide appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

This 2021 holiday season – after a year of being cooped up – we’re all about adventure, going fast, and shopping local. And we’re here to help you find the perfect gift for the thrill seeker in you (or in your life). We found everything from local adventure kits to snowcat skiing in Steamboat. We even found a company that has motorized snowbikes (it’s a real thing) that look incredible, and another in Southwestern Colorado that offers dogsledding. So whether you’re looking to tear it up on a snowmobile, get heli-dropped at a backcountry summit to shred untouched Colorado pow, or you’re just looking for a good place to shop in Boulder County, we’ve come up with a list of 21 gift ideas to get you ready for the holidays.

GEAR

Photo: Steve Greer

Big Agnes Shield 2

bigagnes.com

Based in Steamboat Springs, Big Agnes has been providing us with trustworthy tents for any occasion for over 20 years. And because winter is upon us and you may be thinking of heading out into the cold for a night under the stars, you’re going to need a tent that will withstand the elements. Made with lightweight nylon, this sturdy tent is light to carry and provides you enough space to comfortably stay out. You can even buy a vestibule to add a covered entrance area to store gear. This one’s for the winter adventurer in all of us.

Mountainsmith Scream 55 and Zerk 40

mountainsmith.com

Colorado-based Mountainsmith focuses on the lightest packs available without sacrificing capacity. The Zerk 40 was co-designed by The Real Hiking Viking, a famous thru-hiker and is great for those looking to amplify their ultralight experience. The Scream 55 is for the rest of us, who like to carry a couple extras. At just 2lbs 13oz, the Scream 55 is still super lightweight and made for life on the trail. Whether you’re snowshoeing in the winter or backpacking in the summer, either of these packs are great options for the ultralight hiker in our lives.

MSR Revo Ascent Snowshoe

msrgear.com

You know how quiet it gets after a heavy snowfall but you’re postholing and really wishing you had some kickass snowshoes to stay afloat on a winterized weekend stroll in the woods? Well those days are over. The Revo Ascent are fantastic snowshoes to help you get out there even in the depths of winter. Not only will they allow you to stay on top of the snow and make snow travel easier, they only weigh a little over 2lbs each and are sturdy enough to be put to the test. Whether it’ll be their first time snowshoeing, or they’ve been stomping pow for years, these are a great choice.

Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme

seatosummitusa.com

It’s all about R-value – which is what companies use to measure a sleeping pad’s ability to keep you warm. The higher, the warmer. Coming in at an R-value of 6.2 (6 is for extreme cold), this pad will surely help during winter expeditions, from camping at basecamp, or crashing on the floor of a yurt because you pulled the short straw, the Ether Light XT Extreme is a soft place to land.

Skratch Labs Lemon Lime Sport Hydration Mix

skratchlabs.com

Hydrate. You’ll literally feel better. Skratch is local and helping us stay active by providing the electrolytes necessary to take on the day. Whether heliskiing in the San Juans, ice climbing in Ouray, or biking to work, be sure to replenish yourself well. With quality ingredients and less sugar, Skratch has been changing the way we see electrolyte drinks and we’re loving it.

Photo: Ralf Dujmovits

SlingFin Crossbow 2 Four-Season

slingfin.com

SlingFin is shining bright these days with their innovative designs and high quality constructions. The Crossbow is made to survive winters and light enough to want to bring it along. With ample ventilation and protective covering, the Crossbow is here to keep you dry and warm, all winter long. Moisture is always a problem when camping, even more so in the winter, when it’s cold outside and warm in the tent, the Crossbow 2 is made to protect you from the outside world while mitigating condensation within.

Wazoo Adventure Kit

wazoosurvivalkit.com

Local and wicked cool, Wazoo is all about being prepared and we dig it. Even if you’re not trying to be a survivalist, it’s mandatory that whenever you’re out and about you’re prepared and able to take care of yourself. Containing 23 tools and compatible with some of their other products, this kit is a compact, easy to bring along option for being prepared in the wilderness and it’s great for any adventurer.

Zeal Lookout Goggles

zealoptics.com

Boulder-based Zeal is helping us see on those bluebird days and on those we rather not still be skiing type days when the sun don’t shine. Helmet compatible, easily removable lenses, and everclear anti-fog only add to the coolness with common sense practicality. Pick up some Lookout Goggles for this snowy season.

GUIDES

Colorado Adventure Guides

coloradoadventureguides.com

Since 1994, this small group of dedicated guides has been making sure people stay safe and have fun whether backcountry touring, ice climbing, or snowshoeing. They also offer backcountry education to make sure you’re ready to take on the backcountry on your own and they even offer free 101 clinics. There’s a whole world beyond the resort, but you need to be ready and you need to know what you’re doing, so don’t hold back, get out there, and adventure, but get yourself a guide to show you the ropes. Check out Colorado Adventure Guides – the backcountry is calling.

Georgetown Outdoor Discovery

georgetownoutdoordiscovery.com

Kimberly Knox has an extensive history with the outdoor community, has adventured all over the world, and now she’s sharing her knowledge and experience with us by taking us out and providing us with professional and fun outdoor excursions. From guided hikes and snowshoeing, to cross country skiing and personalized coaching, Knox is one of Georgetown’s best options for getting outside year-round. She even does custom tours for group events and team building experiences! Knox’s decades of experience and her newly found business is there for you to adventure and is providing Georgetown with new and exciting guided opportunities.

Grand Adventures

grandadventures.com

Snowmobiling at nearly 12,000 feet! From beginner to advanced tours and five different locations, Grand Adventure is lifting the bar for winter adventures to a whole new level. What could be better than spending the day with friends or family taking in the beautiful scenery of Colorado on high-powered snowmobiles? And if you join them in Grand Lake, you have a vast selection of over 100 miles worth of trails to choose from. Ride solo or in tandem, Grand Adventures surely has something for everyone to enjoy.

Photo: Ober Skinner Photography

Jones Pass Guides

jonespassguides.com

Located just off I-70 on US 40, Jones Pass Guides is providing Colorado with incredible backcountry skiing and boarding adventures. Snowcats will take you to new heights for up to 14 people, while their backcountry touring trips will provide you the knowledge and experience to make sure you stay safe and have fun. Their courses include Backcountry 101, 201, and an advanced course. They also offer workshops and other ed opps. Along with Snowcat trips comes lunch, demo skis, backcountry safety gear, an Après social, and you’ll get to ski 10-14 runs through a variety of terrain. And you can have them photograph you for a bit extra.

San Juan Sleddogs

sanjuansleddogs.com

Dogs! Sleds! Dogsledding! A professional team of dog sled guides are here to take you on a mushing adventure. They offer a 2-hour experience which includes educational instruction, transportation, photography, and some warm drinks and snacks. What’s better than hanging out in wonderful Southwestern Colorado? The answer is clearly hanging out in Southwestern Colorado with a bunch of cute dogs! Great for dates, family adventures, or get togethers, dogsledding is a unique and exciting way to explore the winter wilderness.

Steamboat Powdercats

steamboatpowdercats.com

When on-piste (typically groomed, marked trails) just isn’t enough the snowcat will take you where you need to be. Untouched powder, backcountry goodness, and a group of cats as cool as the machines they drive—Steamboat Powdercats is providing the fun. Ski Buffalo Pass, which often has Colorado’s deepest snowpack, or choose from Levels I, II, and III to find exactly what you’re looking for. They also offer backcountry touring trips, avalanche education, and are planning on hosting trips to South America for custom backcountry adventures. If you’re looking for a gift for that special loved one who’s in need of some of Colorado’s best skiing guided by some of Colorado’s most professional guides, look no further.

Photo: Kane Scheidegger

Telluride Helitrax

helitrax.com

High adventure, high altitude, and high reward. Heliskiing is the ultimate in backcountry fun and Telluride Helitrax is here to take you to the next level by providing you “tailored, personalized guest experiences” in some of the most pristine and beautiful mountains in Colorado, the San Juans. For those of us who are in need of six solid runs covering up to 14,000 vertical feet, this is the place, and for those of us who rather skip the skiing and still ride in the helicopter, this is STILL the place, because they also offer scenic trips. This may very well be one of the best ways to see, experience, and feel the absolutely stunning might of the San Juans.

Vail Backcountry Tours

vailbackcountrytours.com

What’s better than snowshoeing through a lovely forest on a bluebird day? Ripping down a designated snow path on a snowmobile or a snowbike, of course! Take your winter adventure to the extreme with Vail Backcountry Guides. Offering 2-hour, half-day (not for snowbikes), and private tours to provide you the thrill of speed while exploring some of Colorado’s most beautiful areas. With so many trails to explore, you’re sure to have a great time with views of distant peaks, wonderful snow-covered forests, and the exhilarating thrill of going fast. Vail Backcountry Tours is providing an exciting and exhilarating way to spend a trip to the mountains.

ACTIVITIES

American Paintball Coliseum

americanpaintballcoliseum.com

Who says winter adventure has to include snow? Paintball, airsoft, laser tag, and a virtual reality arcade, this place is great for groups of any size. They also offer events such as bachelor and bachelorette parties, team building, and holiday parties. Pretend you’re in your favorite video game as you make your way through the field and have fun with friends. Best of all, for those of us who don’t want to be in the cold, it’s indoors – they do however have an outdoor field for the summer time.

Photo: Todd Powell

Frisco Adventure Park

townoffrisco.com

The Frisco Adventure Park offers lots of different activities, from cross-country skiing to snowshoeing, but we have to give a special shout-out to the Tubing Hill that’s open for reservations. With the first day of the season coming up on November 25th, it’s time to make your plans and get out to Frisco for a family fun day of tubing. Three lanes to choose from with a variety of steepness and there’s even a lift, so kick back, relax, and tube the day away. Whether you only go for the tubing, or enjoy some of the other activities they offer, you’ll have a blast. Check out downtown Frisco, or Breckenridge, to make it a fully packed day trip.

Pikes Peak Cog Railway

cograilway.com

Choo-Choo! If you’re looking to comfortably ride up the side of the iconic 14,000+ft. Pikes Peak, the Cog Railway is the ONLY way to do it. With several tours a day, make this holiday season special, with spectacular views and the glorious warmth of high altitude sunshine. Tickets for winter are only available until January 3rd, so don’t wait! There’s something magical about riding up a 14er on a train and, as a gift for a special someone or a group of people, it’s even more special. Winter is even supposed to be when you can see the furthest; with the help of the sun and some clear skies, it’s sure to be a great experience.

SHOPS

Angles Sports

anglessports.com

With a brand new location at 463 Main St. in Longmont, Matt Burditt and Ryan Kazee have taken their shop to a whole new level and are supplying us with all the great gear and gifts we could need. Not only does this local business have a great selection of winter gear for sale like snowshoes, skis, snowboards, and even rentals, they’ll also make sure you’re ready to go come fly fishing season.

Crystal Ski Shop

www.crystalskishop.com

Local ski shop that specializes in all things ski and snowboard care and rentals. Whether you’re looking to get some rentals or hoping to remove all that rust that’s built up on the edges, Crystal Ski shop will make sure you’re ready to hit the slopes. It’s a great place to get ready for the winter season or gift someone a rental. They also have backcountry setups and safety gear.

JAX Outdoor Gear

jaxgoods.com

So. Much. Gear. And with lots of locations to choose from, JAX is a go-to stop for all your outdoor needs, be it kayaking, camping, fishing, you name it. Whether you’re looking for cooking gear, shoes, clothing, a new hat, or some layers to stay warm, JAX is a great place to get all your gifts in one place for those outdoorsy adventurers in your life. They even have farm & ranch equipment, goods for life at home, apparel, and great gifts for this holiday season.

The post Locavore Adventure Gift Guide 2021 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Happy 2020 Retailer’s Guide. Given the absolute strain on all our local retailers, we decided to focus on hearing directly from our retailers. These Retailers’ Picks are hand-selected ideas for you, from the local moms and pops that run our local shops. Listen to them. We’ve also included a list of web stores where you can order online and have them delivered, instead of going to a massive web portal to enrich people who are already rich.

Acme Fine Goods
Elsewhere Candle $20

Each scent is painstakingly crafted to bring the defining characteristics of your favorite national parks to life – evoking a combined sense of calm and adventure.

915 Walnut St., Louisville •303-862-8191 •acmefinegoods.com

Anspach’s Jewelry
Sterling silver and 14 karat gold mountain and snow scene necklaces from $90.

101 S. Public Rd., Lafayette •303-665-5313 •anspachsjewelry.com

Boulder Body Wear
Beyond Yoga Space Dye Leggings $88-$97

“I went there for the first time with my daughter. The employees were very nice, and they had great customer service. You can really tell the difference in the quality between Boulder Body wear and different places like Amazon. Great overall experience.” Enrique S.

2850 Arapahoe Rd., Lafayette •303-447-9100 •boulderbodywear.com

Carbon Valley Eye Care

We offer the latest in cutting edge lens technology, high quality fashionable frames, children’s eyewear, sports eyewear, and safety glasses. We have accounts with frame and lens manufacturers across the country and locally, which allow us to quickly make the personalized eyewear you need, at competitive prices.

5900 Keyes St., #101, Frederick • 303-833-1056 •carbonvalleyeyecare.com

Coaching Solutions

I train those who haven’t worked out in years, all the way to someone headed to the Olympics. No matter who you are I have the expertise, skills and knowledge to help you achieve your PB (Personal Best). Let me help you reach your goals! 303-748-0340

Colorado in a Basket
The Colorado Christmas Pine Basket $65

Filled with Colorado treats such as:
Chocolate Foil Wrapped Pine Cones, Chocolate Christmas Tree, Chocolate Drizzled, Yogurt Pretzels, Holiday Chocolate Bar, Aspen Mulling Spices, a Chocolate Pecan Turtle, and more.

“I was looking for something less commercial, more “local flavor” to give to business clients this year.. Upon picking up my baskets I was impressed with the presentation, heft and look.” -J

303-664-1401 • coloradobaskets.com

A Crystal Ski Shop

Holiday Special: Gift Certificate for Full Tune of Skis or Snowboard, Gift Certificate to try something new, and a Giro Ski Helmet.

“Nothing says ‘ love and care about you’ like a helmet to ensure their safety and well being.”

1933 28th St., #101, Boulder •303-449-7669 • crystalskishop.com

Elements Boulder

Elements Boulder is a shop that caters to all lifestyles by carrying the largest selection of strains in Boulder County. So you get more of what you want. Loyalty Program: 1 pt per $1 spent to redeem for in store cash back/credit

“I had the best experience! Prices are great and staff super friendly! Very much enjoy this store!!”

1534 55th St., Boulder •303-444-0861 •elementsboulder.com

Eric Olson Master Jeweler

Many of our beautiful pieces of jewelry are on sale at 50% off to prepare for our big move, including this amazing orangy-pink tourmaline necklace.  Stop in to see what other deals there are for you this year!

“Eric and Lori are an amazing team!”

950 Spruce St., #1A, Louisville •303-604-0240 • master-jeweler.com

Great Harvest Bread Company
Holiday breads, cookies, pies, gift baskets, honey jars, spreads, soups, pre-made mixes.
Pumpkin Bread, $8.50 

The perfect blend of pumpkin and chocolate chips in every delicious bite!  Enjoy this addictive bread at brunch or as dessert, serve it at your next holiday party, or give it as a special gift.”

2525 Arapahoe Ave., #A-4, Boulder • 303-442-3062 • ghboulder.com

Ivy Rose Inc

Ivy Rose is a boutique full of ever changing, on trend clothing, jewelry and accessories for women of all generations. Our customers love our plaid shirts and at $29 each they make great gifts for all the Colorado girls on you list.

520 Main St., Longmont •303-718-1091 •ivyroselongmont.com

JAX Outdoor Gear
Tubbs Men’s Flex STP Kit 24 Snowshoes

Give the gift of adventure with a snowshoe kit that is an excellent option for new snowshoers and those looking for a casual day of fun on the trails. The kit includes snowshoes, poles, and a tote bag. Also available in a women’s size 22 kit.
Regular Price: $149.99

900 S Hwy 287, Lafayette •720-266-6160 • jaxgoods.com

Kundali Kombucha
Harmonize Kombucha – Green Tea, Oatstraw, Lemon Balm, Damiana

“I never really liked kombucha until I tried this and it’s so delicious!”
– Dawn Collamer, Happy Kundali Customer

303-437-5342 •kundalikombucha.com

Larkridge Outdoor Regional Retail Center

Your destination for shopping, dining, entertainment, and everyday services with more than 40 retailers. Here’s to a safe, healthy and happy holiday season!

16542 Washington St., Thornton • 303-595-9919 • shoplarkridge.com

Little Piece Of My Heart
“Just Kidding, It’s Alcohol” Cotton tote bag with light brown faux leather handle. $22

Always friendly.  Super interesting finds.  Simply the best! -Germaine P.

1163 13th St., Boulder •720-508-4168 •littlepieceofmyheart.com

Mountain States Children’s Home Thrift Store

We continue to have an assortment of items for purchase at great prices. Our inventory keeps changing like the weather. Stop in and go through the many selections of clothes, shoes, furniture, household items and the many other treasures.

|”Love them cause and I always find some treasures!”

818 Coffman St., Longmont •303-834-9510 • mschthriftstore.org

One Planet Hemp

Hemp Hoodies for Women, Men and Kids! Super soft hemp & organic cotton.

1151 Eagle Dr., #324, Loveland •970-541-0448 • oneplanethemp.com

School of Rock Broomfield
One Month of Private Music Lessons, in-person or online: learn guitar, bass, keyboard, vocals, drums or ukulele: $236

“The instructors are great and the culture is extremely fun for all the kids.”  -Josh G, Broomfield SoR parent

11970 Quay St., Broomfield •303-325-3772 •broomfield.schoolofrock.com

Shredder Indoor Ski & Snowboard School

Shredder is a Colorado-owned, independent company focused on community engagement and families. Our business is designed to help lower the barriers of entry for kids and adults to learn a new sport by addressing the common industry issues of time, distance, and money.

Boulder * Lafayette * Frederick Stapleton * Wheat Ridge • shredderski.com

Snowy Peaks Winery

Colorado Grown – Colorado Crafted Tempranillo and 26 Custom made gift baskets full of Colorado made products

Experiences – gift certificates for wine tasting.

“We stopped to enjoy some wine and ended up going back a second time! Wonderful staff and a nice atmosphere too! The sangria is delicious.”

292 Moraine Ave., Estes Park •70-586-2099 • snowypeakswinery.com

Starbuds

The Louisville store has numerous marijuana products, including various strains, vapes, accessories, and topicals. Gifting edibles has emerged as an especially popular option for a cozy holiday season. Many people enjoy putting the edibles in the stockings, and you can also have fun by burying the edibles beneath a pile of relatively boring items so your loved one has to dig through the entire stocking. While Starbuds has many edibles, their fruity Muncheez Gummies and Starbuds Pebble Bites would be a great way to bring in the holidaze feel!

1156 Dillon Rd., #3, Louisville 80027 • 720-389-6313 •starbuds.us

Front Range Birding Company

An independent wild bird store specializing in all aspects of backyard nature and field birding.

“In a day and age when customer service can be lacking, the employees at Front Range Birding are shining stars.”

5360 Arapahoe Ave., Ste. E, Boulder • 303-979-2475 • frontrangebirding.com

Time Warp Comics

Jump over to Time Warp in Boulder for the best comic book store in Colorado. We offer new comics, collectibles, toys, manga, back issue comics, graphic novels & more!

3105 28th St., Boulder •303-443-4500 • time-warp.com

Web Stores  — Retailers

Colorado Multi-Maker Marketplace Multi-Maker Marketplace for Colorado
205 Ken Pratt Blvd., #120, Longmont • 303-656-9964 • iamamaker.com

27th & Grace Women’s Clothing Store
2015 Ionosphere St., #104 Longmont • 303-242-0842 • 27thandgrace.com

Acme Fine Goods Clothing Store
915 Walnut St., Louisville • 720-837-8659 • acmefinegoods.com

Active Imprints Shoe Store
1926 14th St., Boulder •303-494-0321 •activeimprintsco.com

Alchemyst Lab  CBD Health and Wellness
P.O. Box 544, Lafayette •720-394-2960 • alchemystlab.com

Angie Star Jewelry Jewelry
1807 Pearl St., Boulder •720-565-0288 •www.angiestarjewelry.com

Arbor Anglers  Fishing Gear
489 U.S. N HWY 287, Ste 130, Lafayette • 720-512-1416 •www.arboranglers.com

Art by Kristi Arzola – Hand-Painted Fine Art, Art Prints, Jewelry Etc
348 Highlands Cir.,  Erie •661-341-2965 • kristiarzola.com

Author Joel Lindeman – Book
3303 W 144th Ave., Ste 200, Broomfield • 303-469-2300 • www.amazon.com/dp/1732891907/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_UwzOFb18E802D

B.Shores Artworks – Original Artwork Printed Clothes, Posters, Stickers, Paintings
801-808-7346 • bshoresartwork.storenvy.com

Beyond Nature CO – Garden Decor/Art, Bird Feeders, Birdbaths
231-690-1165 • www.facebook.com/BeyondNatureCO

Bliss Boulder – Boutique Gift Store Featuring Local Artisans
1643 Pearl St., Boulder • 303-443-0355 • www.blissboulder.com

Boulder Body Wear – Dance and Activewear
2850 Arapahoe Rd., #104, Lafayette • 303-447-9100 •www.boulderbodywear.com

Boulder County Farmers Markets – Farmers Market
5445 Conestoga Ct., #150, Boulder • 303-910-2236 •bcfm.org/curbside-pickup

Bristle and Bauble – Interior Architecture and Design
970-691-2274 •www.bristleandbauble.com

Brown’s Shoe Fit Shoe Store
373 Main St., Longmont • 303-776-2920 • stores.brownsshoefitcompany.com/longmont

Charmed 33 Boutique Boutique Clothing and Gifts
545 Briggs St., Erie • 913-481-7696 • www.charmed33boutique.com

Childish Things Children’s Consignment and New Goods Store
3183 Walnut St., Boulder • 303-442-2703 • childishthingsconsign.com

Christine Marguette Designs Fine and Custom Jewelry
1942 Broadway, Ste 407, Boulder • 303-447-2344 •www.christinemarguerite.com

Circle Of Life Pet Cremation Services  Pet Cremation
8116 Indian Peaks Ave., #1, Frederick • 720-507-8323 •www.circleoflifepc.com

Color Me Mine Boulder Paint Your Own Pottery
1938 Pearl St., #100, Boulder •303-443-3469 • Boulder.ColorMeMine.com

Colorado Aromatics -Natural Skin Care Products
340 Lashley St., Longmont • 303-651-2062 • www.coloradoaromatics.com

Colorado Conservatory of Dance Ballet Classes and The Nutcracker Sweet Streaming Links
3001 Industrial Ln., #12, Broomfield • 303-466-5685 • ccdance.org/performances

Colorado in a Basket – Gift Baskets
303-664-1401 •coloradobaskets.com

Colorado Railroad Museum – Railroad Specialty Publications and Gifts
17155 W 44th Ave., Golden •303-279-4591 •ColoradoRailroadMuseum.org

Crystal Ski Shop Winter Sports Gear
1933 28th St., #101, Boulder • 303-449-7669 • www.crystalskishop.com

Curly’s Bead & Gift Emporium –Gifts, Home Decor, Beads
301 W Main St., Trinidad •719-680-1991 • curlysbeads.com

Maggie’s Sewing and Fabric-Sewing Hobby Store
1450 Main St., Longmont •303-651-7752 • maggiessewvac.com

Massage Moment Advanced Therapy  Massage Therapy
5377 Manhattan Cir., #204, Boulder • 720-352-4069 • www.vagaro.com/massagemomentadvancedtherapy

Monkton Guitars  Musical Instruments
1505 W 1st Ave, Broomfield •303-484-1271 •monktonguitars.com

Neptune Mountaineering-Outdoor Sporting Goods
633 S Broadway, Boulder •303-499-8866 • neptunemountaineering.com/

Nisha Fine Art  Abstract Fine Art
630 Grenville Cir., Erie • 713-826-0326 • nishafineart.etsy.com

One Planet Hemp – Hemp Products
1151 Eagle Dr., #324. Loveland •970-541-0448 • oneplanethemp.com

Pampered Chef-Cooking, Baking and Entertaining Tools
1021 Turnberry Cir., Louisville •303-868-9524 •pamperedchef.com/pws/elayne

Pedestrian Shops – Shoe Store
2525 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder •303-449-7440 •comfortableshoes.com

Pettyjohns Liquor and WineWine and Spirits
613 South Broadway, Boulder •720-379-6249 • phillewisart.com

PJ’s Wine & Spirits – Wine and Spirits
665 Frontage Rd., #130, Longmont • 303-485-8600 • pjwinespirits.com

Presser Foot – Sewing Hobby Store
2430 Main St., Longmont •303-485-6681 •thepresserfoot.com

Rags Consignments-Second Hand Women’s Clothing
3129 28th St., Boulder •303-440-5758 •ragsconsignments.com

Renaissance Adventures
Children’s Live Action and Tabletop Role-playing Gaming Supplies
5717 Arapahoe Ave., #100, Boulder • 303-786-9216 •renaissanceadventures.com

Rocky Mountain French Bulldog Boutique – Dog Lovers’ Boutique
303-819-4904 • rmfbr.org/boutique

Savory Spice Shop – Spice Store
2041 Broadway #1, Boulder •303-444-0668 •savoryspiceshop.com

Second Star to the Right Books – Children’s Books, Toys, & Gifts
1545 S Pearl St., Denver • 303-733-3773 • secondstartotherightbooks.com/shop-second-star

Small Planet eBikes -Electric Bicycles
724 Main St.,Longmont •303-532-2879 • smallplanetebikes.com

Snowy Peaks Winery – Wine
292 Moraine Ave., EstesPark  •970-586-2099 •  snowypeakswinery.com

Starbuds (Cannabis) – Cannabis Dispensary and CBD Products
1156 W Dillon Rd., #3, Louisville • 720-389-6313 • www.starbuds.us

Struttin Pup Dog Boutique – Dog and Cat Food, Accessories and Grooming
2850 Arapahoe Rd., #110, Lafayette • 303-665-3038 •www.struttinpup.com

Swallow Hill Music – Merchandise Supporting our Non-Profit Music School and Concert Venue!
71 E Yale Ave., Denver •801-357-9598 • swallowhillmusic.org

The Santa Fe School of Cooking Regional cooking school featuring cooking classes and a market full of  local New Mexican ingredients, specialty food products, kitchen tools and pottery.
125 N Guadalupe St., Santa Fe • 505-983-4511 • santafeschoolofcooking.com

TimbukToys – Toys
2526 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver • 303-743-8899 •www.timbuktoys.com

Time Warp – Comic Books and Collectables
3105 28th St., Boulder •303-443-4500 • time-warp.com

Treasures Upscale Consignment  – Consignment Store
2770 Arapahoe Rd #110, Lafayette • 720-890-0909 • treasuresuc.com

Two Hands Paperie – Stationery
803 Pearl St., Boulder • 303-444-0124 • twohandspaperie.com

Two Sole Sister – Shoe Store
1703 Pearl St., Boulder • 303-442-0404 • twosolesisters.com

Vintrey – Gift Shop
107 S Public Rd., Lafayette •720-502-4463 • vintrey.com

Web of Life Products LLC  Home Decor
844-946-3832 • weboflifeproducts.com

The post Locavore: Retailers’ Gift Guide appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Sometimes the best gift you can give someone is a night when they don’t have to cook, a cup of coffee, or a chance to try takeout from a new restaurant. Here are our suggestions for gift certificate options for dining. There’s enough here to satisfy anyone on your shopping list, we’ve included an online list if you want to order from your house and then grab and go.

Local Restaurant Options

Aloy Thai

Aloy Thai’s menu offers an array of popular Thai favorites that includes everything from meals once made for royalty to appetizers and noodle dishes often found in the carts of street vendors in the kingdom. Served without MSGs added,providing coconut oil, gluten free and vegetarian options, Aloy’s dishes cater to everyone, from the purist to the health conscious.

“One of the consistently best Thai places in Boulder. Great ambiance and terrific selection of curries, rice, and noodle dishes!” – K.F.
2720 Canyon Blvd., Boulder • 303-440-2903 • aloythai.com

Busaba

Busaba serves Thai favorites including curries and noodles.Take a break from your holiday shopping or cooking and eat some Thai specials!
133 S. McCaslin Blvd., Louisville • 303-665-0330 • busabaco.com

Button Rock Bakery

Holiday Special: Cookie Platters. A delectable assortment of red velvet crinkle cookies, Peppermint Brownies, Sugar Cookies, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Spritz Cookies and Gingersnaps (available in regular and gluten-free)!
1377 Forest Park Cr., #102, Lafayette • 303-926-1676 • buttonrockbakery.com

Cellar West

With a focus on barrel aged, wild, and Belgian farmhouse style ales, Cellar West’s mission is to craft refined, expressive lagers and ales for those seeking a genuine beer experience.

“This place had a wonderful atmosphere, and some of the best beer I have ever tasted. The day I visited they had an open mic starting which really added a sense of community to the place.”
778-B West Baseline Rd., Lafayette • 720-465-9346 • cellarwest.com

Cosmo’s Pizza

Fresh Local Ingredients, no frills, just great New York Pizza with a crust that’ll flip your every taste bud.
Multiple Locations • cosmospizza.com

Eat! Food & Drink

If you’re looking for an inspiring breakfast, brunch or lunch, you’ve found your next favorite Broomfield spot. We strive to deliver fresh and inspiring dishes paired with creative adult beverages. Enjoy our unique and tasty dishes 7 days a week.

“We love EAT! My girlfriends and myself dine once a week for Sunday brunch here. We have been to many brunch spots but EAT! is definitely our favorite.” – B.W.
520 Zang St., #N, Broomfield • 303-728-9990 •eatateat.com

Gaucho de Argentina, LLC

We continue to make our “Colorado Proud”  empanadas in Erie…There are so many easy ways for you to bring them home and bake them up in less than 20 for a delicious, healthy, inexpensive meal!!  See our website: gauchodeargentina.com

“You haven’t lived until you eat an empanada from Gaucho de Argentina!”

656 Kattell St., Erie • 720-849-3424 • gauchodeargentina.com

East Simpson Coffee Co.

“Coffee is our favorite excuse to gather community at historic East Simpson Street.

• Full Espresso Bar • Organic Coffee & Tea  • Locally Baked Pastries

Place an order online now for take out or enjoy our spacious outdoor heated patio!”

414 E Simpson St, Lafayette • 720-502-7010 • eastsimpsoncoffee.com

Giovannitti Coffee Roasters

We have over 13 coffee varieties to choose from, the best machine on the market, and a veteran roaster at the helm. Giovannitti Coffee Roasters is the place to go when gift giving to any coffee lover!
801 Main St., #110, Louisville • 303-332-4190 • giovannitticoffee.com

Gondolier Italian Eatery

The Gondolier has played a big part of Boulder’s community history for over 50 years, and we want to make memories with Boulder County families for years to come.

We Welcome Large Parties. Our private dining room can accommodate up to 36 people for your special event.
4800 Baseline Rd., Boulder • 303-443-5015 • gondolieritalianeatery.com

Hapa Sushi

“Hapa” is derived from the Hawaiian term that describes a harmonious blend of Asian & American cultures. Their menu is based on traditional Japanese cooking fundamentals which are then amplified, muted, or mixed with influences from many different styles of cooking until they are something completely new: they’re Hapa.
1117 Pearl St., Boulder •303-835-9748 • hapasushi.com

Jaipur Indian Restaurant

Experience authentic Indian cuisine right here in Boulder, Colorado just one block south of Pearl Street.  Enriched with excellent and experienced chefs, cuisines, and ambiance. Jaipur specializes in catering services available for any kind of indoor and outdoor events.

“Delicious food, fast delivery, great prices for tons of food FIVE STARS” – A.M.
1800 Broadway St., #160, Boulder • 303-442-0999 • jaipurindianrestaurant.com

Kalita Grill

Family-owned Greek fare with an array of Mediterranean grilled meats & sides in a relaxed space. The cuisine at Kalita Grill includes classical Greek favorite foods, which are made fresh daily. From salads, to Gyros, to dinner time plates, we use only quality, fresh ingredients. Let us cater your holiday gathering, call today for details.

Great Greek food! Gyros are the best I’ve found in Boulder! So glad to have found Kalita Grill!
2426 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder •303-443-0596 • kalitagrill.com

Moxie Bread Co.

Local eatery inspired by old world food craftsmanship. We specialize in rustic, simple and delicious baked goods served in an open, inviting environment designed to welcome the whole family.

Our breads are made with non-GMO (sometimes organic, and sometimes even biodynamic) local flours and grains that undergo a long and slow fermentation process. This fermentation process breaks down many of the proteins and compounds in the grain, and helps create more healthful bread that’s easier to digest (and has even proven to be tolerated by some people with sensitivity to highly processed white flour breads).
641 Main St., Louisville •720-420-9461 • moxiebreadco.com

Outworld Brewing

At Outworld Brewing, a delight to the senses awaits. From the curved mezzanine and subtle nods to sci-fi fantasy fandom, Outworld Brewing offers great beer (Belgian, Bavarian and Ancient) and a culinary adventure, and is one of the most atypical social spots you will find on the Front Range in Northern Colorado. Those seeking exceptionally crafted beer and some of the most unique culinary offerings that Longmont has to offer will not be disappointed. Located between I-25 and Highway 287 in East Longmont, Outworld Brewing also has delivery and curbside pick-up. Feast Package and Family Meals can be pre-ordered, online or by phone, during the Holidays.

“Outworld  Brewing has great food, good beers, and an amazing vibe….They have done an amazing job setting up the space to feel like something out of a science fiction novel.  It’s truly one of a kind, and definitely worth a visit!   The staff was extremely friendly and accommodating.”  -Evan R.
1725 Vista View Dr., #B, Longmont • 720-545-2337 • outworldbrewing.com

Pho 79

Pho 79 is old-school, one of the first Vietnamese chain restaurants in the United States, with a vast selection of foods from different regions of Vietnam. Their bowls of pho are epic, with noodles as long as cable wires and beef prepared every which way from raw to lightly cooked to grilled to a wonderful char. Pho 79’s new Boba Tea menu is also a must try!

“Our favorite go to place for pho (it’s all in the broth.) There are several places to get pho closer to us but we are willing to drive the extra distance to Pho 79.” – R.M.
6650 W 120th Ave., #4-5, Broomfield • 303-439-0028 • pho79.org

Ras Kassa’s

Twenty-eight years in operation, two locations (Boulder and Lafayette), and an amazing variety of traditional Ethiopian cuisine to satisfy your cravings while broadening your palette. Stop in for the warmth of place, of people, of food, and try some honey wine while you’re here.
802 S Public Rd., Lafayette •303-447-2919 • raskassas.com

Taj Mahal III

Food is the music inside the body and music is the food inside the soul making your taste buds dance for 20 years. Thank you for all the happiness.
1075 E. South Boulder Rd., #145, Louisville • 303-926-0999 • tajmahal3.com

Tangerine

Located in North Boulder, Old Town Lafayette and Main St. Longmont, Tangerine creates innovative takes on traditional morning fare with menus rich with natural quality and focused on fresh products. Healthy if you want it – or less so – if you want that, with many vegetarian and gluten free options. Enjoy day time meals with our bright and cheery decor, a full bar and world class espresso/coffee program featuring locally roasted Salto Coffee Works.
2777 Iris Ave., Boulder; 300 S. Public Rd.,Lafayette • Boulder:303-443-2333; Lafayette:303-443-5100 • tangerineeats.com

The Sink

Whether they’ve been naughty or nice, We have gifts for everyone on your list!

“If you are visiting Boulder, this place is a must. I went here religiously during my time at CU and still love to take people there to get the full Boulder experience. There are no other restaurants like it, and the food is also excellent. I recommend the Cowboy ruben or a personal pizza. The wings are great. This place IS Boulder.” -J.W.
1165 13th St., Boulder •303-444-SINK • thesink.com

Tierra y Fuego Taqueria

South-Mexican style salsa recipes meet North-Mexican style smoked meats. Tierra y Fuego takes its name from the elements essential to its authentic cuisine: Earth and Fire. The result is straightforward Mexican food with elemental layers and a flavorful edge. Owners Pepe and Veronica are proud to bring their histories and heritage to the many hungry people of Boulder, Colorado. Come and taste the best tacos around!

This place is so freakin’ amazing! Fresh authentic farm to table cuisine, just consistently delicious  reasonably priced exceptionally flavorful food.
4550 Broadway, #C-3A, Boulder • 720-454-5475 •tierrayfuegotaqueria.com

Village Coffee Shop

A hidden gem diner with 890 Square feet of reality, surrounded by Boulder, currently offering patio seating, take-out or free delivery

The Village Coffee Shop is, a killer greasy soon in, of all places, the Mecca of healthy organic eating! The Boulder diner is famous for its fluffy pancakes and large portions. And if it’s your first time eating there, the entire restaurant and staff welcome you with a round of applause.
1605 Folsom St., Boulder •303-442-9689 • villagecoffeeshopboulder.com

West Flanders Brewing Co.

Shopping for a craft beer lover? West Flanders has 32-ounce crowlers of your favorite house beer, glassware, apparel, and gift cards!

One of my favorite places on Pearl Street. During COVID, West Flanders offers a menu with great take outs. Everything is nicely packaged. They offer a convenient pick up in the alley. I strongly recommend them. -Cecile H.
1125 Pearl St., Boulder •303-447-2739 • wfbrews.com

Online Restaurants Ordering

24 Carrot – Contemporary,
Farm-to-table Cuisine
578 Briggs St., Erie • 303-828-1392 • www.24carrotbistro.com

Abbott & Wallace Distilling – Alcoholic Beverages
350 Terry St., Ste #120, Longmont • 352-316-2878 • abbottandwallace.com

Aloy Thai – Thai
2720 Canyon Blvd., Boulder •
303-440-2903 • www.aloythai.com

Black Pepper Pho – Pho Noodle Restaurant
2770 Pearl St., Boulder • 303-440-1948 • blackpepperpho.net

Brewing Market
Coffee and Accessories
Multiple Locations  brewingmarketcoffee.com

Busaba – Thai
133 S. McCaslin Blvd., Louisville   303-665-0330 • www.busabaco.com

Button Rock Bakery – Bakery
400 W. South Boulder Rd., #2200, Lafayette  303-926-1676 buttonrockbakery.com

Cellar West Artisan Ales
Local Craft Beer
778-B W Baseline Rd., Lafayette
724-465-9346 • cellarwest.square.site

Cosmos Pizza – Pizza
Multiple Locations •cosmospizza.com

Crystal Springs Brewing Co.
Local Craft Beer
604 Main St., Louisville  720-572-7975 • www.crystalspringsbrewing.com

Double D’s Sourdough Pizzeria & Tap House – Pizzeria & Tap House
535 Zang St., Broomfield  303-665-5006 • doubledspizza.com

Dry Land Distillers
Award Winning Craft Distillery
471 Main St., Alley Entrance, Longmont • 720-600-4945 •www.drylanddistillers.com

DugOut – Modern Sports Bar
149 S. Briggs St., #105, Erie • 720-242-8239 • www.thedugoutgrillandbar.com

East Simpson Coffee Shop- Coffee and Accessories
414 E. Simpson St., Lafayette • 720-502-7010 • eastsimpsoncoffee.com

EAT! Food & Drink – Gourmet Breakfast and Brunch
520 Zang Street, Unit N, Broomfield • 303-728-9990 • www.eatateat.com

Flower Child – Health Food
2580 Arapahoe Ave., #110, Boulder • 480-588-9719 • iamaflowerchild.com

Front Range Brewing Company – Brewery, Taphouse & Kitchen
400 W. South Boulder Rd., Ste 1650, Lafayette • 303-339-0767 • frontrangebrewingcompany.com

Gaucho De Argentina – Empanadas
656 Katell St., Erie 303-828-9009 gauchodeargentina.com

Giovannti – Coffee and Accessories
801 Main St., Louisville • 303-332-4190 • giovannitticoffee.com

Gondolier – Italian
Multiple Locations • gondolieritalianeatery.com

Great Harvest Bread Company – Bakery
2525 Arapahoe Ave., #A-4, Boulder • 303-442-3062 • ghoulder.com

Hapa – Japanese & Sushi
Multiple Locations • hapasushi.com

Jules Gourmet Catering – Caterer
1849 Cherry St., #7, Louisville • 303-926-1303 • www.julesgourmet.com

Kalita Grill – Greek
2426 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder • 303-443-0596  • kalitagrill.com

Kim and Jake’s Gluten Free – Gluten Free Bread and Cookies
451 S Broadway, Boulder • 303-499-9126 • kimandjakes.com

Moxie Bread Co. – Bread & Sandwiches
641 Main St., Louisville • 720-420-9616 • www.moxiebreadco.com

Niwot Tavern – Bar and Grill
7960 Niwot Rd., D12, Niwot •303-652-0200 • niwottavern.com

Outworld Brewing –Local Craft Beer and Kitchen
1725 Vista View Dr., Ste B, Longmont • 720-545-2337 • www.toasttab.com/outworld-brewing

Ozo Coffee Company – Craft Coffee
Multiple Locations • ozocoffee.com

Paul’s Coffee & Tea – Coffee Shop and Roaster
956 West Cherry St., #101, Louisville • 720-259-1723 • paulscoffeeandtea.com

Piripi – Mediterranean
615 Briggs St., #C, Erie • 720-328-0787 • 720-328-5059 • www.piripirestaurant.com

Ras Kassa’s – Ethiopian
802 S. Public Rd., Lafayette • 303-447-2919 • www.raskassas.com

Redstone Meadery – Mead
4700 Pearl St., 2A, Boulder • 720-406-1215 • redstonemeadery.com

Sakura – Japanese & Sushi
600 S Airport Rd., Longmont • 303-485-9282 • sakuralongmont.com

Taj Mahal 3 – Indian
1075 E. South Boulder Rd., #145, Louisville • 303-926-0999 •tajmahal3.com

The post Locavore: Restaurant Gift Guide appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

In conducting research for this article, I noticed a consistent theme: in these times of extremity and even crisis, our community chose to ask, not “how can I survive,” but, “what can I give?”

The people and organizations you’ll meet in this article show just such a generosity of spirit. Over the past difficult year they have been working tirelessly to help those in need, even as their own backs are against the wall.

Louisville Rising

louisvillerising.org

Since being founded in response to the pandemic, Louisville Rising has helped innumerable non-profits in the area make ends
meet by providing funding for them. Founder Gillian Millar was an event planner before the pandemic hit. As the pandemic became more severe,she realized there was a much deeper need springing up in the community. She said, “I’m not one to sit on my hands and feel sorry for myself. I had to do something to get community engagement and spirits back up.”

She’s very excited to announce the next big event, Miracle on Main Street, a pop-up Christmas bar. 100% of the proceeds will go back into helping local non-profits.

“We need fun right now,” Gillian said, “which is why we focus on creating fundraising events that are fun and also safe.”

“It’s not just raising money,” she added. “It’s more than that. It’s people.”

Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

Greenwoodwildlife.org

Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center rehabilitates wildlife that has been orphaned, injured, or become sick. Founded in 1982, they treat thousands of animals every year.

This organization certainly affected Thomas Edgecomb Boothe. Days after being evacuated from their Boulder home, Thomas and his wife Janet drove back up the mountain to gather their belongings and winterize their home against the incomprehensible blizzard that had stormed in since they left.

After gathering their belongings, the couple had ten minutes to spare. They decided to check on the neighbor’s chickens. “Walking up to the coop we saw a bird under the stairway,” Thomas said. “We assumed it was a chicken out in the snow. Then I looked downand did a double take. It had a green beak, long neck, and red eyes. It was frozen to the ground, struggling, but it couldn’t move an inch.”

One of Thomas’s friends ran a raptor rescue program and suggested that they bring the mysterious bird to Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. After putting it in a box, the two of them, bird-in-tow, embarked on a treacherous drive. “This was a Sunday. There was a blizzard, but we just went for it,”

Thomas recalled. “The road was horrible. Accidents all the way there. Then through the snow we saw a light. I grabbed the bird and walked up to the door. The workers were waiting there. They welcomed us with open arms.” The couple discovered that the bird was a Western Grebe – a stressed species that, once on the ground, cannot fly again without being rescued. “Once they’re grounded they can’t fly,” Thomas said emphatically. “The only thing that can rescue them is a human.”

The grebe, under the attentive care of the staff at Greenwood, made a full recovery and was released back out in the wild.

Green up our Schools

Greenupourschools.org

Anthony Hodes is the director of Green Up Our Schools, a nonprofit that helps students learn to be responsible environmental stewards. Students work together to build peer-to-peer collaboration skills while designing and implementing waste diversion projects.

“These kids are super enthusiastic; they just get it.” Anthony noted. “And right now the work is especially important. Schools are individualizing school lunch experiences, which is creating a lot more waste, and the kids are asking, ‘what can we do?’ ”

“It’s about being empathetic to humanity,” he added, “one kid at a time.”

Last Mile Education Fund

lastmile-ed.org

Our students live on a Razor’s Edge of Insecurity,” said Ruthe Farmer, founder of Last Mile Education Fund, a non-profit dedicated to providing support for young people with aspirations in tech industries. She got the idea for Last Mile Education Fund in 2013 when she helped a student who almost turned down a high-paying internship because she couldn’t afford bus fare. The two of them founded this nonprofit to “invest in students in high-demand fields.”

“Our scholarship system is broken,” Ruthe said. “Everyone wants to find the best of the best. Meanwhile there are capable, qualified, underrepresented kids that get nothing because they’re not some superhero outlier.”

Ruthe recalled a story of a young woman who was impacted by the non-profit. “She was a Black woman, a senior in computer science,” Ruthe said. “She was eating at a food bank and facing homelessness. We paid her tuition and rent and she graduated. She took a job with Microsoft in August. I just got an email from her. She wanted to know how to donate to our fund.”

“Basic needs should not be a privilege. Ruthe stated firmly. “Education was built to invest in citizens. We see their potential and we see the value of investing in them.”

YMCA of Northern Colorado

ymcanoco.org

Chris Coker is concerned about all of the people who depend on the Y’s services. He stated, “People don’t realize this, but we are the largest provider of childcare in the US. Families we work with are saying, ‘If I don’t work and have my kids taken care of, I don’t pay rent.’”

The financial future is looking grim for our local Y. Right now it’s sustaining a quarter million in losses every month. As the CEO, Chris noted that, “the right business decision is to shut down until this is over, but we can’t. Where do these kids go then?” He went on, “When non-profits say they need stuff, it’s because our community needs stuff.”

Even with the pandemic, the Y is adapting to meet the needs of children and families. “One of the things that we’ve done is roll out a whole new childcare framework that uses social-emotional learning. Thirty-two lessons about empathy, caring, and anti-bullying,” Chris said.

He ended by saying, “This Y is 140 years old. Think about what it’s survived! But COVID could take it down. The community needs to say this is important.”

350 Boulder

350colorado.org/bouldercounty

Julia Williams is the Development and Communications Director at 350 Boulder, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people find meaningful ways to take action on the climate crisis. 350 Boulder certainly impacted Leslie Weise, a volunteer and board member who first found the organization when she discovered unwelcome news.

“One of the largest frack sites in Colorado was proposed to be built less than 2 miles from our home,” she recalled. “Once I made it clear this was an issue really important to me and my family, 350 Boulder was able to connect and amplify the voices of people who would be affected by this.”

350 Boulder is focused on the environment, but for Julia Williams, it’s much more. She said, “we’re waking up to the intersectionality of issues. It’s about uniting movements together, about balance, and about reflecting on how to interact with the world and interact with yourself in a way that benefits society.

Moving to End Sexual Assault (MESA)

movingtoendsexualassault.org

Janine D’Anniballe is the Director of MESA, the only sexual violence resource center in Boulder County. MESA provides services and support to anyone in the community who has experienced sexual violence.

While MESA works with individuals to heal from trauma, their other goal is to eradicate sexual assault by rooting out its systemic causes. Janine stated, “we help people work through trauma, but there’s also a justice and systems piece to address these inherent abuses of power.

The pandemic has generated an uptick in the need for MESA’s services. Janine noted, “this whole COVID thing is called ‘safe at home.’  But safe at home for whom? Home isn’t safe if you’re stuck with an abuser.”

To respond to the increasing needs in the community, MESA has recently rolled out a text feature. Put simply, Janine said, “We want to be there for people so that we can begin to heal.”

Ralston House

Ralstonhouse.org

Courtney Teasdale is on the board of Ralston House, an advocacy center for children who have witnessed or been the victims of violent crime., “The need for our services is higher.” Courtney explained.“At the same time, all of the fundraising events and things we’ve done historically have had to be cancelled.”

Ralston House has been adapting to the new COVID regulations while also providing a safe and nurturing environment for kids up to the age of 18. Courtney noted, “we’ve started doing forensic interviews virtually while still in-house.” Their biggest goal is to help kids give only one testimony of their experiences in a safe and nurturing environment to reduce the chance of retraumatization.

When asked what drives her, Courtney responded, “The innocent. Giving them a voice when they can’t speak for themselves has really been my passion.”

Coal Creek Meals on Wheels

CoalcreekMOW.org

“We serve anyone who needs meal delivery,” said Lark Rambo, Executive Director of Coal Creek Meals on Wheels. “It’s not just seniors. We serve people who have lost their jobs temporarily, people with disabilities, people relying on school lunch. We also have a program where people coming home from a hospital get five free meals while they recover.”

Lark recalled a family that they helped recently. “The husband had COVID and lost his job. Then his wife got COVID. They had a child at home and zero income coming in. They couldn’t be in public, and couldn’t pay for food delivery. They just needed support for a couple of weeks to get by. When people are already on the verge of hardship, COVID can push them over the edge. Sometimes, you just need to eat for a couple of weeks.” Lark said.

When asked if there was anything she wanted to add, Lark laughed and said, “Yeah, something people don’t realize is that the food is actually really good! We make all of our food from scratch. Even [the] salad dressing is homemade. All meals are made from scratch and cater to any dietary restrictions. You name it, we can accommodate.”

Project V.E.T.S.

projectvets.org

Project V.E.T.S. sends supplies, and equipment all over the world to help people improve the lives of animals. While working internationally as a veterinarian, Candy Brad, founder of Project V.E.T.S., met people all over the world who were working to save animals. “Vets never throw anything away,” she explained. “Every time I got a new machine I would store the old one. So I had a closet of state-of-the-art equipment that I would never use again.”

She realized that, “these people all over the world had the skills. They didn’t need my skills. They needed my stuff.”

Project V.E.T.S. sends resources, supplies, and equipment all over the world to help people improve the lives of animals. But, for Candy, it’s not just animals that are being helped. “There’s a lot of people that don’t see that everything affects us,” she said. “We’re all intertwined. If you don’t have a healthy environment you’re not going to have a healthy community or animals. We all want the same things. If we recognize ourselves in every being we can improve the planet. We’re healing the planet one animal at a time.”

Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners (RMCP)

rmcrisispartners.org

Tif Choate, artist and founder of Snaiil Candy Art, is on a mission to give back. Specifically, Choate paints murals to fundraise for local nonprofits. Her most recent mural was for Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners, a suicide-prevention organization dedicated to helping people in crisis get the immediate and ongoing help that they need.

She said, “I wanted to help RMCP because someone in my life is struggling with suicide. So many people like my friend who have no idea how to manage their feelings about hopelessness. There aren’t many real, credible resources for someone who is really struggling. The staff at RMCP are working so hard. So many people need support because of the state of our world. So it was really important to me to say, ‘Hey. We need to turn it around and give them some support too.’”

Learn more about Tif’s work at
www.SnaiilCandy.com

The Savory Institute

savory.global

Many residents are unaware that we have a powerful environmental institution right in our own backyard. The Savory Institute is dedicated to educating farmers and ranchers on the necessity of holistic land management.

“While our headquarters is in Boulder, we work globally,” said Bobby Gill, the Director of Development and Communications. “We have forty-eight learning hubs around the world that equip ranchers and farmers to improve grazing and regenerate grasslands. Since starting the institution, we’ve influenced the management of thirty-two million acres, training over 12,000 people through our global network.”

While their scope is global, the impact of holistic, regenerative land management has implications right here in our community. “We don’t focus on wildfires, but it’s another symptom of improper land management,” Bobby said. When asked what we can do to make an impact, Bobby suggested, “start asking where your food comes from. Start supporting brands that are dedicated to regenerative agriculture. If we focus on what we have the capacity to influence and change, there’s a lot of hope.”

Humanity’s Team

humanitysteam.org

Humanity’s Team is dedicated to raising the consciousness of humanity through education. They are especially focused on conscious business practices.

Steve Farrell, founder, found himself in an interesting predicament. After selling a successful tech company in the 1990’s, he achieved a comfortable level of wealth. “My big realization was that the whole American Dream thing of creating financial prosperity was a kids game.” Farrell said. “So my heart led me in this direction of creating Humanity’s Team. We want to be in service. We want to create a sustainable planet.”

In October, Humanity’s Team launched a worldwide virtual summit that reached over 200K people. Steve recalled, “The program went deep.. ”

Steve added, “We’re being guided into that place of connection. We need to stay strong and follow that guidance. Don’t question yourself. You’ll come into really the most amazing life, I promise.”

Muse Performance Space

museperformancespace.com

Musicians have had to be especially adaptable in these times. Clare Church, founder of Muse Performance Space in Lafayette, knows firsthand what that’s like. After a lifetime of performing as a saxophonist, Clare developed a neurological disorder that affected her tongue, face, jaw, and neck. In response, she founded the Muse Performance Space to give local musicians a space to play and share their gifts.
Clare knows how powerful music is for bringing people together. She wanted to make sure Muse was still supporting musicians even in the pandemic. She said, “so many musicians lost all of their income and places to play. So we started live streaming as our main format. We give 70% of donations to musicians. Muse is entirely donation based.”
More than that, Clare wanted to maintain a sense of community, even as restrictions made it harder to gather. “We want it to feel like you’re coming into our living room. If you’re here, if you’re listening, you’re our guest. If you can give, you can, and if you can’t, that’s ok. We’re going to keep putting the music out there.”
Musicians have had to be especially adaptable in these times. Clare Church, founder of Muse Performance Space in Lafayette, knows firsthand what that’s like. After a lifetime of performing as a saxophonist, Clare developed a neurological disorder that affected her tongue, face, jaw, and neck. In response, she founded the Muse Performance Space to give local musicians a space to play and share their gifts.

Clare knows how powerful music is for bringing people together. She wanted to make sure Muse was still supporting musicians even in the pandemic. She said, “so many musicians lost all of their income and places to play. So we started live streaming as our main format. We give 70% of donations to musicians. Muse is entirely donation based.”

More than that, Clare wanted to maintain a sense of community, even as restrictions made it harder to gather. “We want it to feel like you’re coming into our living room. If you’re here, if you’re listening, you’re our guest. If you can give, you can, and if you can’t, that’s ok. We’re going to keep putting the music out there.”

Sister Carmen

sistercarmen.org

Sister Carmen meets the basic needs of people who are struggling. From money to food to household items to education, this non-profit is committed to creating a safe, welcoming space of unconditional giving.

Jenny Barger spoke to the way her life was changed by Sister Carmen.

“Thirteen years ago I was jobless and homeless,” Jenny said. “After I landed at Sister Carmen, I obtained employment and bought a home. I want people to understand that Sister Carmen gives people hope. I’m a prime example of that.” She added, “Sister Carmen gives people hope. I want everyone to know you can pull yourself up and out of even the darkest place.”

“When the pandemic started everybody panicked at first.” Jenny recalled. “I looked at my boss and I said, ‘What’s going to happen?’ We rely on our community for our donations so that we can keep the food bank running and help people with bills and rent. Lo and behold, we had donations. We had a family in Lafayette offer to donate $50,000, but they were asking the community to match it. And the community did. A second family did the same thing, and the community matched that. We are a blessing to the community, and the community is a blessing to us.”

The people and organizations featured in this article are just a few incredible examples of generosity, courage, and heart that we have everywhere in our community. During this holiday season, let’s take a moment of gratitude for the kindness, support, and dedication of our neighbors. If you’re wondering where and how to give your own resources, start here. I promise your own gift will be amplified and reflected back to you in the lives of those you’ve served.

The post BOCO Giving Guide: Nonprofits Need You! appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Treat the ones you love with special care and extra love this season. We’re in the middle of a realignment of the schemas we’ve come to live by. The world is not as it once was, even while so much continues. We wanted to look deeper than toys and trivialities to find ways of giving that can enhance life, make it a bit gentler, more empathic, and more hopeful.

Even as we give, we receive. We often receive from loved ones, but also from ourselves. These are ways we found to give and receive from the world around us, from family and friends, and from our own hearts to ensure our lives are filled, our hearts are bursting, and our homes are helped. We want to be open to all the gifts the universe has for us. Enjoy.

All links open in a new tab.

1. Virtual Cooking Party

More than ever it’s important for families, coworkers and groups of friends to get creative with distanced our safe, socially distanced celebrations. Thanksgiving has passed and Christmas and New Years come, let’s get smart. To get through the holiday season, Cook Street is offering a Virtual Private Event option for groups to participate in a virtual cooking class from the comfort (and safety) of your homes.

Participants will learn new recipes and techniques via a private Zoom lesson with an instructor devoted exclusively to your group, so no timeouts waiting for the teacher to come back from another chat. For a team-bonding activity, groups can challenge each other to a Mystery Box Culinary Competition; time to show the in-laws who’s boss. Cook Street will provide the instruction and ingredients, and teams will deliver their individual creativity.

Those in the Denver and Front Range area have the option to pick up ingredient kits, and those farther away will be provided a grocery list to do their own shopping. Community cooking is the one of the most loving ways to show you love each other.

cookstreet.com/private-events

Up to $140 per person

2. Pop a Waffle

Neige is the owner of Punch Buggy Shave Ice on Main Street in Louisville, Colorado. We chatted with her before, when they first opened, and we still love them. They – like all of us – are navigating through the incredibly strange era of COVID and preparing to open a brand new winter pop-up (make sure to check out Zoey Whitman’s story on Miracle on Main Street, Foodie Nov. 2020), while nailing the safety standards necessary to keep you safe.

They are planning a waffle pop launch with a soft opening from December 10th – 20th, 2020, and a scheduled full reopening January 7th – March 14th, 2021. If you’re wondering what a waffle pop is, we got you covered. It’s a waffle on a stick, as you may have guessed, but these ones are drizzled with your choice of delicious toppings. They have curated options like s’mores, churro, birthday cake and an option to build your own waffle pop. Oh yeah.

The fact is, food is for family, and giving someone the gift of stuffing their face (in a safe way), is always a great idea. Drizzle me, baby. Drizzle me.

Punch Buggy has eGift cards available on their website and physical gift cards in their shop. And any Punch Buggy Shave Ice cards that have a balance can be used at Punch Buggy Waffle Pop.

Punchbuggywafflepop.com

$4-5 on average

3. A Gift of Knowledge

In Iceland they call it a book flood, or Jólabókaflóð in the original Icelandic. Iceland publishes the most books on earth, per capita, and Christmas Eve is spent unwrapping new books and reading with loved ones. We love this idea. So here are a few books we absolutely loved this year. Always give the gift of knowledge.

100 Women in Jewelry. Linda Kozloff-Turner is the author and Hardy Klahold is the photographer for a book and exhibition entitled ‘100 Women of Jewelry’. The “book is an homage to each individual woman, and focuses on her unique story of what she encountered walking the path to her success as a designer, an artist, and a craftsperson.” – womenofjewelry.com

The Anatomy of Fake News. Author Nolan Higdon “offers the first historical examination of fake news that takes as its goal the effective teaching of critical news literacy in the United States. Higdon employs a critical-historical media ecosystems approach to identify the producers, themes, purposes, and influences of fake news.” We love the idea of learning to read news critically. –bit.ly/AnatomyOfFakeNews

Revolution and Renaissance: 1965-1975. Daniel Forbes Hauser writes that, “This is NOT a political rant from the Left or the Right. Rather, it is a compelling and entertaining look at the era of ‘sex, drugs, and rock & roll’ from 1965 to 1975, which was the steepest bell-curve of cultural upheaval in our nation’s history. The book’s year-by-year reflection includes shocking new details of historic events” and all from the seat of Boulder. –revolutionandrenaissance.com

Lastly, did you know reading comic books increases literacy and it’s fun as heck? Go check out our friends at TimeWarp comics and plug into fantastic worlds, universal themes, and incredible reading skills. Keep the kids entertained and keep those brains growing.

4. Art Classes

Arts Hub – one of many amazing arts organizations throughout Boulder County – has a variety of offerings you can make use of. In person, virtual, and art to go are all available. Treat yourself or your loved ones. You can do drop-in aerial dance classes with Tel ($65) or a pack of 5 private classes ($315), to get physical and creative while keeping safe.

If you want classic, do Gene’s tap dance classes (4 for $52 or 8 for $96). Gene’s Tap classes can be in a class, or virtual, which makes it safe for anyone, any skill level, any place. You can gift dance to loved ones around the world.

Lastly, they have a cornucopia of “art camp kits” so you can create at home. From the “totally texture” to the “fanciful fairy” kit and from “sky’s the limit” to the “day at the beach” kits, you’re ready for any type of art project. These take from 1-3 hours, depending on the kit. They also have kits for ages 6-10 and 10+, should you want to set your young art aficionados to the canvas while you relax.

One suggestion we love is to write up the memories you have that inspired the art, the reason for gifting art, and dreams of future memories you want to have with those persons you gifted. Art, like memories, can last a lifetime.

artshub.org

Various prices

5. Homemade Love

Here’s an idea: don’t really buy anything, except some craft supplies, and make something as a family. A DIY advent calendar with lovely notes and ethically sourced [locally made] chocolates may be just the ticket; we support Chocolaterie Stam. I have a friend that did one that was a self-care/mindfulness advent calendar that included things like “turn off your phone for two hours today and soak in peace and quiet” and “do the thing in your house you’ve been procrastinating on” and “take an extra long shower today and celebrate the feeling of being alive and in your body.”

A favorite of ours is homemade gift cards. Since it’s christmas, we suggest New Years cards. Did you know that people love to receive a card to start their new year, to remind them that they just survived a year and the next one will undoubtedly be the best ever? Of course we don’t know that. No one really sends those cards. We think your loved ones will love them, and your family will love making them for the closest neighbors and distant family and friends who you miss.

You can google DIY advent calendar for any number of ideas. There are thousands available. And cards, well that’s easy: glitter, markers, and a few folds…an address, an envelope, and a stamp. Enjoy.

22 DIY Calendar ideas

6. Subscribe and Support

Let’s consider subscribing to and supporting local news; bonus if it’s a small local news source like Yellow Scene. As the world continues to deteriorate around us, and politicians deride facts, and corporations gobble up our newspapers (yes, Denver Post, Daily Camera, etc are all corporate owned), it’s important to support local. We love Boulder Weekly, too. Donate in honor of the newsie in your house, subscribe, or consider encouraging your fact friendly family to write in. We love letters to the editor, op-eds, and community notes. It’s your world. We’re just covering it.

Also in this area of gifting, for yourself or a loved one, are subscriptions to a Patreon that someone likes. Supporting small creators is always great and we love watching small projects get big, local names become international, and fun ideas become reality.

yellowscene.com/donate

7. Drive Time

With all the recent hoopla around drive throughs, we started thinking about driving in general. We’re spending more time alone, or with our pod groups, and, while the world shuts down, driving is still a Colorado love. Our cars, trucks, and bikes take us all over the country, the countryside, the mountains, and the plains where we love to play. We love to play hard, and we love to play fast. So, whether going for a mountain cruise on your bike, going overlanding, or hitting some slick slopes and in need of the skills to get up and down safe, we got you covered with driving training by Go 4 It Services.

They offer a ton of training programs to get you behind the wheel ready. As a former professional driver, who grew up doing mountain trips in a big rig with my dad, who’s gone cross country from Anchorage to Cancun, MX, and from LA, CA to Key West, FL, I can tell you that the average American driver thinks turning a wheel and pushing pedals = driving. It does not.

Hit this team up for Truck and Trailer training, SuperSafety Street and Track courses, and Road Racing lessons. You can rent their vehicles or bring your own (pro-tip: it’s always best to learn high level skills in the vehicle you’ll be driving).

go4itservices.com

Various prices

8. Christmas Lights Trip

The annual drive-thru “Christmas in Color” light display is about ready to welcome starry eyed kids and other holiday magic enthusiasts at multiple locations in the Denver area. Opening at both Water World (Federal Heights) and Bandimere Speedway (Morrison, CO) on November 20, this experience features a mile-long drive-thru light display consisting of more than one million synchronized lights.

Tickets for the event can be purchased on the company’s website, which is below. One $30 ticket is required per vehicle, which is about $5 per head if you’re bringing a COVID safe friend group or family members at your holiday party.

A holiday favorite, investing in some light (no pun intended) holiday travel, with the intention of being wowed by the displays, watching the kids eyes light up (again, no pun intended), and feeling that cozy heartfelt warmth of the season as classic holiday tunes bump from the stereo, is a must do.

Operating hours are Sunday to Thursday from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. and 5:30-10:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The last day of operation is on January 3. The event is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas night.

christmasincolor.net

$30 per car

9. For the Love of Film