In Boulder, Christmas comes a little early for foodies, and if you haven’t already plotted out and participated in the first few days of First Bite Boulder, don’t worry—you still have time to fulfill your food fantasies.

First Bite Boulder continues through Saturday, and there’s still time to make reservations. The menu at John’s Restaurant is ridiculous. Laudisio’s is serving up some creamy gnocchi that’s to die for, and chances are you’ll love anything coming out of Colterra’s kitchen! Nearly 50 Boulder (and restaurants in neighboring cities) are participating in First Bite Boulder and offering up three-course menus for $26 per person. It’s really amazing. Be sure to make a reservation, like, yesterday—and ask about special wine pairings!

Other events happening in Boulder County this weekend:

Oskar Blues is celebrating the 10th anniversary of their bustling brewery with a huge party in the Oskar Blues Barn at their Lyons location—the place where is all started. The music line-up includes nationally touring singer-songwriter, the White Buffalo; the Lyons-based Interstate Stash Express, and singer-songwriter, Erik Oftedahl. The music alone is enough get you interested, but OB will also be serving up a collaboration beer with brewing brothers, Ska Brewing. Click here for more info.

Downtown Boulder is Switching on the Holidays on Sunday. Take a trip to the bricks a watch Boulder’s beloved Pearl Street light up the Christmas lights for the first time this season. Listen to the Boulder Chorale, do a little ice skating, and ask St. Nick if you landed yourself on the naughty or nice list this year. Throw in some hot chocolate and you’ll be the epitome of the Christmas Spirit.

Saturday, November 17th marks the last day of the Boulder County Farmers’ Markets. Get out the Boulder and Longmont locations, support local, and stock up on some fresh veggies and supplies for a Thanksgiving feast before it’s too late.

And be sure to do a ton of eating this weekend. Practice makes perfect, and no time like the present to bust out your stretchy eatin’ pants and do a trail run for the big day!

Happy Weekend-ing!

The post The Bolder Life: Weekend Love appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

One year ago today, I was laid up, and severely drugged up, nestled in a fort of pillows and sipping on Cherry 7-Up at my parent’s house after having my third ACL/meniscus repair and my fifth knee surgery overall.

It was terrible.

It was the worst recovery that I’d ever experienced, and I can’t even express with words the type of depression that came with complete immobility and the loss of the active person that I had spent the past twenty-six years of my life as.

I was pretty devastated, and after spending a month on crutches, I spent a solid chunk of the rest of the year focusing on the little things, like walking, and completing deviating away from the activities that used to bring a giant smile over my face on a daily basis. I became a couch potato and a self-proclaimed work-a-holic. I started painting and writing more, and I made up every excuse in the book to remain a stationary object and avoid any situation that might once again result in a hospital stay.

I was scared, and I easily could have continued on that path without any cares—but the problem is—I live in Boulder. You can’t cross the street without dodging a cyclist or a runner or someone voluntarily walking home from work or the grocery store.

As soon as I got the doctor’s clearance to ease back in to being a functioning member of the fit Boulder society again, I jumped feet first back into everything. I woke up early on the weekends and went hiking. I bought a mountain bike, name her Liv, and collected some scrapes and bruises on the trails. I started playing softball again and I steered my road bike, Lilly, all over Boulder County. I found that part of me that had been lost for the past year, renewed the definition in my muscles and begged my lungs to help me through numerous heart-racing events.

After spending the last year moving mountains in my own way, it seemed fitting to finally end my summer by finally doing it for real. It was time partake in a timeless Colorado tradition by waking up before dawn and dragging myself up a 14er; and not just any 14er, but Long’s Peak—which at 14,259 feet towers over the Front Range. Go big or go home, right?

I hit the trailhead at 4 a.m., an hour behind the recommended start time, which meant that the trailhead parking lot was completely full, but parking was quickly found just down the road.

I couldn’t wait. I geared up, tightened the laces on my hiking boots, turned my head lamp on, took one last look at the trail map, and along with my best friend, took the first step of the 12 hour, 15-mile round trip climb to the summit. The complete darkness for the first two hours of the climb made the brilliant half-moon and blanket of starts even more spectacular.
Occasional breaks in the tree tops framed a scenic sky that stopped us in our tracks, mouths agape, appreciating life more than once. The first part of the climb was quiet, and so peaceful. The silence on the side of mountain at 4 a.m. is unlike anything else—it grabs your heart and squeezes it a little, but the steady sea of moving lights from headlamps along the mountainside make you feel completely safe—and like you’re part of something. Being part of something like that eases your worries and encourages your feet to keep moving forward.

Like clockwork, the sun greeted us with the most powerful performance that I’d ever seen. It chose a color of red that couldn’t even be found in a Crayola box to brush the sky with before taking its rightful place above us.
The next five hours were spent testing the strength of the new ligaments in my knee and pulling myself up and over rocks of just about every size. After a short break at the Keyhole to take in the view and catch our breaths, we made our way through the Narrows to the Trough (where I nearly found myself back at the bottom of the Trough at the hands of falling boulder) before eventually taking in the breathtaking view at the top.

My head has truly been in the clouds ever since.

Having my feet firmly planted on the ground just hasn’t been the same. I notice Long’s Peak all of the time now. I can feel it watching over me like we’re old friends.

Bluebird skies and perfect weather made this trip possible, and there’s still time for you to conquer this massive beast of a mountain before the weather makes  It’s definitely a challenge, and not anything to be taken lightly. It sounds silly, but it’s important to show some respect for the mountain and come prepared. Gloves, a hat, proper layers and my down jacket made the experience so much better for me.

So go move your own mountain. And if you’re not quite up for climbing a Class 3 14er right out of the gate, then check out this detailed list of other 14ers in Colorado.

The view from the top is something you will never, ever forget.

The post The Bolder Life: Moving Mountains appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Dating. Is hard. And unlike a fine wine, it doesn’t get any better with age. Lately I’ve been hitting the dating scene a little harder than usual. I’m mostly in the market for a reliable date to be my plus one at the weddings of all of my engaged friends so I don’t have to deal with the awkward conversation that inevitably comes from the token single guy that gets assigned to sit next to me—the poor token single girl.

Dating takes a lot of patience. I curled my hair, put on deodorant, wore lipstick and only cursed three times on my last date—which I’d say was pretty successful on my end. Aside from watching my language, I also have to tone down the number of times I mention my adorable dog and work hard to stop treating a silent moment in the conversation as a challenge to see who can fill it first.

I might be a little ridiculous as a date, but when it comes to figuring out what to do on the perfect date, I’m not half-bad.

So this one’s dedicated to the token single people at the random guest table hidden in the back of wedding receptions everywhere. May these date ideas provide you with good conversation, and run just long enough to give you an out if you should need one!

Prospect Eats Food Truck Party
I used to be a picky eater, and would only order salad on dates (which can be justified but is kind of a no-no, girls). Now I’m just an indecisive eater and I freeze up when asked what kind of food I’m in the mood for. So—to avoid debating on which restaurant to go to, why not stop by the Prospect Food Truck party on Monday nights? Not only is there a variety of food and a little something for everyone, but it’s outdoors, and there’s live music. And if the date is going exceptionally poorly, there aren’t any walls to stop you from making a beeline for it when your date gets up to use the restroom.

Boulder Outdoor Cinema
This is one of my new favorite things to do in Boulder. Unfortunately, this Friday is the last time you can catch a movie in the parking lot behind the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art in downtown Boulder. This Saturday’s flick is Pulp Fiction—which, unless you date hates Quentin Tarantino movies should work out fairly well and provide some good first date conversation. Grab some food to go from one of downtown Boulder’s tasty restaurants, a six-pack of some good craft beer or a bottle of wine and post up in the parking lot for dinner (and live music) before the show. Be sure to get there early, because the place fills up quickly, and don’t forget to bring your own chair. I mean, how embarrassing would it be if you had to sit on the ground…

Lyons Fork Beer Dinner
The Great American Beer Festival is coming up, and while I wouldn’t recommend attending the festival with a first date, for obvious reasons, I would recommend hitting up local beer events happening at breweries and beer bars near you. This year, the Lyons Fork is hosting a Maui Brewing beer dinner with 5-courses of amazing food expertly paired with craft brews from the Maui Brewing Co. Wear your cutest eating pants because no matter how polite and well-mannered you try to be, the food and beer at this event will be too good to leave sitting at the table.

Farmers’ Market Date
Yes, farmers’ market dates are a little cliché and borderline too cute, but if the date starts to go south, you can always use your newly purchased groceries as an excuse to go home. And if you go to the farmers’ market in old town Louisville, and the date doesn’t suck, you can always keep it going by heading over to Lucky Pie for a tasty cold beverage or make a trip to Sweet Cow if it’s not an appropriate hour to be drinking beer, or if desserts are just more you thing. Either way, farmers’ market dates are a good way to go.

The post The Bolder Life: The Dating Life appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Some people find happiness at the bottom of a giant bowl of triple fudge ice cream. Others define happiness by the amount of extra zeros on their paycheck. For me, happiness is a cool mountain breeze, the taste of a perfectly roasted marshmallow and the feeling you get when you reach the top of whatever mountain you’re trying to climb.

I love Colorado.

I can’t get enough. I load up my car with campfire grub, hiking and biking gear, and some good ol’ canned craft beer and head west on the weekends. Lately, “west” has meant a long and winding drive on I-70 to the Glenwood Springs area. I’m not sure what it is, but I seem to have found my summer in the red canyons of this sulfurous town.

Last weekend, I found myself soaked in water, helping guide a raft down the Shoshone rapids on the Colorado River. Two weekends ago I was on the seat of my mountain bike, Liv, cruising alongside the Colorado River and soaking in the beauty and stories of the majestic canyon walls.

Although it’s about a three-and-a-half hour drive from the Boulder area to Glenwood Springs, it’s totally worth it for a little weekend vacay. For those of you looking to blow the city limits and climb some mountains of your own, I suggest loading up a car and heading to the land of the hot springs. And while you’re there, you should probably check the following places out:

1.) The Hotel Colorado
Whether you’re staying at this (haunted) hotel or not, be sure to at least tour the main floor and check out all of the portraits and stories of the famous guests that have roamed the grounds before you. And while you’re there, grab a seat on the charming outdoor porch for a nice dinner or a wild west-themed cocktail from the bar. The smell of the fresh mountain air mixed with the old-timey, relaxing atmosphere found at dusk is a must-do for your mini-vacay.

2.) Hanging Lake
Nature’s first infinity pool. The trail head for this 1.2 mile hike is found just outside of Glenwood Springs and is well worth the 3 hour round trip hike. Pictures and words can’t even begin to capture the beauty of this National Landmark. After a steep hike through the canyons off of I-70 you are rewarded with a lake with water so clear, pictures taken from above the lake look as if they were shot underwater. It’s exceptional. And there’s also a waterfall—sprouting from the center of a canyon wall. It’s unbelievable. But get there early because the small parking lot at the trail head typically fills up by 8:30 a.m. and the trail becomes inundated with families and tourists willing their  sea-level lungs and shaky legs to get them a glimpse of this scenic wonder.

3.) Glenwood Hot Springs
I feel a little obligated to add this to the list since it’s kind of the main tourist attraction for this city. Swimming at this historic destination has been said to cure what ails you with at least fifteen minerals working in harmony to rejuvenate your mind and body. The Ute Indians were the first people to take advantage of Glenwood Springs healing waters, and now the pool stays jam-packed with visitors looking to gain the same benefits. As with most tourist attractions in this area, get there early to avoid battling major crowds.

4.) Rafting on the Colorado River
For the past twenty-seven years of my life, I’ve been more of a land-dweller and less of a water baby, so when I came across a Living Social deal for some beginner white water rafting offered by the Colorado Adventure Center, I jumped in head first. This is how I found myself sitting in the back of a raft cruising through the cool waters of the Colorado River last weekend. Although I did sign up for the beginner trip, I was hoping for a little more action and little more splashing coming from hardcore rapids and not the clumsy lady struggling to paddle in front of me. The company offers a few different options, including kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding, and this stretch of the river currently offers some of the best water for water babies in Colorado due to the lack of rain across the state.

5.) Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
As we were calmly coasting along an easy stretch of the river, our rafting guide pointed towards the sky to something swaying back and forth over the canyons edge. It turned out to be a swing, full of people that voluntarily got on the Glenwood Canyon Swing ride at the Caverns Adventure Park. Whoa. The hair on my arms stand up just thinking about hanging thousands of feet in the air over the side of a canyon. But if you’re the adventurous type, this ride is must-do. For others, like myself, that like to keep their feet on the ground, check out the cave tours. Not only is it an opportunity to learn the history of Glenwood, but you’ll get some exercise in and also get some killer views of the city as well.

6.) Four Mile Road Camping
On my first visit to Glenwood Springs, I stayed in a hotel and did a little late-night drinking at the Glenwood Canyon Brewing Co. (and other various watering holes around town) before I switched gears and moved on to camping at Turquoise Lake outside of Leadville on my way back to civilization. Last weekend, I arrived in Glenwood, seeking tips from locals on campsites semi-close to town. Turns out—there really aren’t any. But if you’re looking to spend some time in the great outdoors along with partaking in activities found inside of the Glenwood Springs city limits, camping off of Four Mile Road about 45 minutes outside of town is the place to go. Exploring a tip from our rafting guide, we made our way into the mountains and set up camp underneath a sky filled with stars… and an owl’s nest. You win some and you lose some. Nothing beats the way the sleepy sun highlighted every leaf, flower and blade of grass as it climbed its own mountains early the next morning.

**Mini Mountain Vacays are super fun! but traffic on I-70 isn’t! Be sure to plan accordingly and avoid eastbound 1-70 from noon-7:00 p.m. if you can.

The post The Bolder Life: Happiness Is… appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Sing it with me now!

In the words of Rebecca Black, it’s Friday, Friday, Friday—and I think we’re all pretty thankful for that.

With the weekend creeping up around the corner and the end of summer nearing, I’ve already entered warm-weather-is-ending panic mode which naturally mean that I have a Colorado weekend full of rafting, mountains, hiking, beer-drinking and camping planned. I’m leaving cell service behind and heading to the mountains to enjoy the rest of summer to the fullest! I was so excited about my weekend vacay that I’ve already packed up the car, grilled up some campfire grub and filled up the cooler—I—am ready to go. Which means my Friday night just freed up a little!
So I’m gonna paint the town red tonight! Well, I have an early morning, so I’ll probably paint the town more of a pretty pink color, but you get the idea. Here are three places you’ll probably find me this Friday, Friday, Friday…

Boulder Outdoor Cinema
The Boulder Outdoor Cinema exists, which is great, but ridiculous that I just figure out that there’s an outdoor theater in Boulder. Tonight, there’s a true classic showing at the Boulder Outdoor Theater which is located in the lot behind the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. Jurassic Park is playing. I know. You just got so excited! Catch some tunes by 80’s cover band, the Goonies before the show, bring your own comfy seat and snacks, and enjoy a warm summer evening at the movies.

Avery Brewing Co.
At 5:00 p.m. today, Avery is tapping and servings up the 15%er, Mephistopheles. This tasty stout sounds like the perfect way to end the week!

Lucky’s Market Food Truck Friday
Comida and the Sweet Cow food trucks will be at Lucky’s Market from 5:30-7:30 p.m. tonight with live music by Holly and the Husbands on the Lucky’s Market patio. I’ve been craving some Comida comida lately, so you can bet I’ll be at this Friday night party.

The post The Bolder Life: Friday, Friday, Friday… appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

I know, I know—every week in Colorado is the week of good beer.

But seriously—there are some great events going on the rest of this week, concocted and hosted by some of  your favorite local breweries.

Check out these interesting events, and don’t forget that tickets for the daddy of all beer events go on sale tomorrow! Get your Great American Beer Festival tickets here starting at 10:00 a.m. Tickets go fast, so don’t miss out!

Wednesday, August 1st | 6 p.m.
Book Signing of “Mountain Brew: A Guide to Colorado’s Breweries”
Twisted Pine Brewery Tap Room
Author Ed Sealove wrote a book about two of my favorite things: craft beer and Colorado. Ed will be signing copies of his book which is filled with all the info you need to know about every brewery in Colorado. Sealove spent two years touring breweries and this in-depth book is full of good info and  is the perfect gift for the beer lover in your life. Pick up a copy of the book and grab a brew in at the Twisted Pine tap room today.

Thursday, August 2nd | 5-9 p.m.
Live Music on the Patio
Boulder Beer
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. The patio at Boulder Beer is the perfect place to catch some live tunes and to drink a Kinda Blue—which sadly, is a summer seasonal, and will be all gone soon. Catch some classic rock tunes by Little Friday tomorrow night, along with a giant plate of delicious nachos and cold beverage. And if you’re up for it, get there a little early and catch the brewery tour at 2:00 p.m. It’ll make you appreciate the beer in your glass on a whole new level!

Friday, August 3rd | 6-8 p.m.
“Tap into Painting”
Bootstrap Brewing
For years, women have been holding “Girls’ Night Out” at which they complain about their husbands, turn off their cell phones, and gossip about the other moms in the carpool circuit. It’s cool. And doing all of this while drinking wine and painting pictures of the mountains or fun flowers has become a super popular addition to the tradition. But let’s be real ladies, you’d much rather have a hoppy IPA in your hand than a dainty glass of Riesling. So check out this new event that pairs painting with a frosty brew at local breweries. Plus, if you haven’t been to Bootstrap Brewing in Niwot, now’s your chance to check it out. And you definitely want to check it out.

Saturday, August 4th |1-5 p.m.
Mile High Beer Festival
Ogden Theater
I’m just going to get straight to the point on this one since time is running out for you to grab tickets. The Mile High Beer Festival is going on this Saturday at the Ogden Theater in Denver, and there are only a handful of tickets left for the first session. I—have tickets for the second session, and can’t wait to sample brews from Firestone Walker, Avery and the Denver Beer Co. If you’re interested, VIP tickets are still available and tickets can be purchased here.

Sunday, August 5th | noon – 5 p.m.
Avery Brewing’s 19th Anniversary Party
The Avery Brewing Tap Room
Someone has a birthday coming up! Help Avery celebrate their 19th year in style at their brewery in east Boulder. Avery promises lots of delicious beer (some barrel-aged), live music, tasty barbecue and lots more. Avery events are always, always packed, so visit their websites and purchase your tickets today.

Monday, August 6th | 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Ladies Event
Upslope Brewing
So Upslope has recently kicked off a series of events for the ladies. This girls only event gives women the opportunity to samples some Upslope beers, get educated on different beer styles and snack on some tasty cheese plates from Boulder’s own, Cured. Tickets are a reasonable $15 and a portion of the proceeds for this event will be donated to the Wildlands Restoration Volunteers. Craft beer and a good cause… I don’t even have to say it.

The post The Bolder Life: A Week of Good Beer appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

I don’t know about you, but temperatures in the triple digits really aren’t my thing.

Like, they really aren’t my thing.

Getting blasted by a wall of hot air every time I leave the house and having my face melted off before I even reach my car just isn’t my idea of a good time.

Above all, the worst thing to come out of this Colorado heat wave is the unbelievable damage being done to our scenic landscape. As of today, thirteen fires are burning in Colorado. Thirteen. There’s a fire ban covering most of the state and one look at the hazy and distorted backdrop to the west is enough of an advisory to adhere to the warnings and keep outdoor activities to a minimum.

So aside from getting your daily rain dance on outside, try mixing things up a little this week by keeping a low profile and checking out these indoor events that are not only friendly on your lungs… but equipped with air conditioning!

Climate Change on Earth and Other Planets – Featuring Bill Nye the Science Guy
Tuesday, June 26^th | 8:00 p.m. | The Boulder Theater | $10
Admit it—you totally used to watch Bill Nye the Science Guy. You were super impressed by the egg in the bottle trick—I know. Mr. Nye will be giving the keynote tonight and will be speaking along with a handful of presenters about climate change on earth and other planets. Check out everyone’s favorite scientist, get yourself up to speed on this controversial topic and escape the heat wave at the Boulder Theater tonight!

Ash Ganley Live and Girls Night Out!
Wednesday, June 27^th | 6-9 p.m. | Wine & Cheese
Ashy Ganley is kind of adorable, and the perfect local performer to play at a Ladies Night! Get your group of friends together, listen to Ash play a set list made up of his own songs along with other popular blues/rock music while you dine on (seriously) delicious cheese plates and sip on a refreshing glass of wine.

Garden Program With Ollin Farms
Friday, June 29^th | 11:00 a.m. | WOW Children’s Museum
Ollin Farms is one of my favorite local farms. They are constantly getting involved in the community and holding events to help encourage gardening and farming through the county. This Friday, the folks from Ollin Farms will be tending to the garden at the Children’s Museum in Lafayette were they’ll be giving pointers on successfully growing a garden of your own.

Dark Star & Cold Brews Fundraiser
Friday, June 29^th | 7-11:00 p.m. | Left Hand Brewing Tap House
If you’ve been feeling a little helpless lately due to the fact that there really isn’t much you can do to help extinguish the flames threatening so many different areas of Colorado, then I have the perfect event for you. Left Hand Brewing is throwing a fundraiser this Friday night to raise funds to support the Northern Colorado Chapter of the Red Cross and the Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department, both of which are experiencing depleted resources due to the High Park fire in Fort Collins. The popular Grateful Dead tribute band, the Dark Star Orchestra, will be rocking the house with live music, and proceeds collected from ticket, beer, food and merchandise sales will help benefit those affected by this fire.

The post The Bolder Life: Heat Wave appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

TGIF! Am I right? This week has been exceptionally long, and difficult. I’m so happy that’s it’s Friday and I’m counting down the minutes until I’m free for the weekend.

There’s a lot of awesome stuff going on this week. Like the Denver Chalk Art Festival going on June 2^nd and June 3^rd in and on Larimer Square. From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, you can view artwork and stroll through a museum of chalk art created by over 200 artists. The artwork is absolutely phenomenal. It’ll make you want to run out and buy some chalk to start creating your own masterpieces on your driveway, or the sidewalk leading up to your house, or you neighbors house… This unique festival is definitely worth checking out. And did I mention it’s free? I didn’t? Oh, well this great festival is absolutely free of charge and worth twice as much.

If you’ve had just about enough of life the busy city life, then maybe you should slow things down a little with a day trip to Estes Park this weekend.  Bring your fishing pole, and your half-pints if you have any, because the Fishing Derby is open to fisherman of all ages, and the registration fee is only $4. Super cheap way to spend your Saturday. Registration starts on Saturday, June 2^nd at 6 a.m. and the actual event begins at 8 a.m.  So nice, peaceful, and relaxing– and prizes are handed out to the fisherman that catches the biggest fish!

If you’re looking for some high energy action this weekend, then check out Quemando on the patio at Oskar Blues Homemade Liquids and Solids tonight from 8:00 to 11:30 p.m. This popular local band always brings the energy, and the dance party, and will be playing to a packed patio tonight—so be sure to get there early, or call ahead to reserve a table in advance. Bring your dancing shoes and kick off your weekend with some salsa dancing, some craft beer, and some classic southern food with a an Oskar Blues twist!

And if you’re really looking to get your art on, then make the drive to Lyons this week for the Lyons Art Walk that runs on the 2^nd and 3^rd of June. Tour artists’ studios and listen to live music and live readings down by the river. According to the folks behind the Lyons Art Walk, art, is the L.A.W.—which means you’re for a seriously good time.

It’s (almost) the freaking weekend people. Have fun. Get a little crazy. You’ve earned it.

The post The Bolder Life: Weekend Plans appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

I’m a sucker for a quaint main street, filled with cozy restaurants tucked inside remolded historic houses shaded by giant oak trees and surrounded with sidewalk patios.

I love spending the afternoon browsing in cutesy antique stores and inhaling the musty scent of a used bookstore followed by a refreshing adult beverage at a good beer bar with more than ten beers on draft.

I’m a huge fan of small town festivals—especially ones that shut down streets and intersections in downtown. The kind with plenty of live music and street food where you’re bound to run into a handful of your closest acquaintances.

In summary: I love Louisville.

Louisville truly embodies everything that is good about a small town. There is always a tremendous amount of community involvement and pride and it’s most apparent when you visit the downtown area.

Plus, there’s always something going on in downtown Louisville. There always seems to be an excuse to throw a big event to entice people to wander the streets of their charming community.

Downtown Louisville is full of great events this summer starting with some art-centric and dining-centric events coming up this weekend followed by the kick-off of the Louisville Street Faire on June 15th! If I were you I would totally take my advice and check out these events. Maybe grab a bite at Huckleberry, or a beer a Lucky Pie. Take a stroll over to Front Steet and check out the quirky, vintage-inspired furniture and household items in Old Friends—I hear they’re open on Sundays now…

A little downtown Louisville loving is good for the soul.

Friday, June 1st | First Friday Art Walk | 6:00-9:00 p.m.
First Friday Art Walk action is back in downtown Louisville and will feature artwork by several artists at the Creative Framing Art Gallery, Creations Gallery – Gifts and Fine Art, the Anthony Grant Studio as well as the grand opening of Bella Frieda, a store featuring “clothing and folk art de Mexico”. Enjoy refreshments at the Anthony Grant Gallery and listen to live music while helping Creations Gallery celebrate their 3rd birthday. Click here for more Art Walk info including a First Friday Art Walk map.

Saturday, June 2nd | Taste of Louisville & Taste of Louisville Half Marathon and 5K run | Running Events Begin at 8:00 a.m. & Taste of Pearl Begins at 10 a.m.
Why wouldn’t you throw a half marathon and a taste of the best dining in your town on the same day? It’s really a win-win for everyone. Gather a ton of people downtown, throw an event that’s sure to work up an appetite, plan out a race course that passes just close enough to see and smell all of the vendor booths that will be set up in the street. Genius. Well played, downtown Louisville! Enjoy food served by local restaurants, check out craft booths, keep the kids occupied with kid-specific events and listen to music by The Low Flying Knobs, Back Pocket, I’m on Fire, 2 Dog Tuesday, The Whiskey Bottles and Highway 50—a band made up of Al Laughlin from the Sables and Brian Nevin from Big Head Todd and the Monsters. Get more info: here.

Saturday, June 2nd |Opening Day of Louisville Farmers’ Market | 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
As if there isn’t enough going on in downtown Louisville this weekend, why don’t we throw in the opening day of the Farmers’ Market! Located in the Steinbaugh Pavilion on Front Street, the Louisville Farmers’ Market features locally grown products and live music. Get inspired by the delicious food you sample at the Taste of Louisville, then head over to the Farmers’ Market and pick up some fresh food items to create a tasty meal of your own.

The post The Bolder Life: A Little Louisville Loving appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Last month, at the DrinkLocalWine Conference in Denver, Local Winos Media debuted a fun video of Oskar Blues Brewing founder, Dale Katechis, comparing his canned craft beer revolution to the booming wine business in Colorado. Katechis noted that members of the craft beer industry thought that he was “bat s*** crazy” when he decided to put good beer in a can—the same thought that Katechis had when he heard that people were trying to make good wine in Colorado.

Turns out, everyone was wrong.

Katechis built a brewing empire out of putting good beer in a can, and Colorado wineries are pumping out more and more popular wine each year.

The 2^nd Annual Colorado Urban Winefest is a celebration of the bat s*** crazy people and wineries that are behind the amazing wine coming from our fair state.

As part of Colorado Wine Week, the Colorado Urban Winefest runs from noon – 6 p.m. on June 9^th at the Denver Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $51.90 per person and include wine tastings, food for purchase by a slew of local food trucks, educational seminars and much more.

If you haven’t already purchased your tickets for this event—I, because I care about you, have put together five reasons to encourage you to get it in gear and make your reservation for this event today!

5 Boulder County Wineries Will Be There

Five of BoCo’s very own wineries will be serving up tastings of their popular wines at the Urban Winefest. Now I’ve attempted to hit five Boulder County wineries in one day, which sounds fairly easy but is definitely a logistical challenge. So make it easy on yourself and try wines from Redstone Meadery, Augustina’s Winery, Bookcliff Vineyards, Boulder Creek Winery and Settembre Cellars all in the same venue, on the same day. You’ll be glad you did.

It’s for a Good Cause

I’m all about events that involve drinking for a good cause. Proceeds for this event support Colorado Winemakers and grape growers through education and research. Find out more about CAVE, the Colorado Association for Viticulture and Enology here.

Keeping it Local

Move over Napa Valley, Colorado’s coming in hot! More and more sections dedicated to Colorado wines are popping up in liquor stores, a sure sign that Colorado folks are doing their part to support local. Show up and show your support for local businesses—they’ll be very happy you did.

Unlimited Samples

Enough said.

It’ll Get You out of the Boulder County Bubble

Boulder County folks have all been guilty at one point or another of becoming too attached to the Boulder County bubble. Here’s your chance to venture into the big city and fill your quota for Denver trips for the month. That way, next time your Denver friends ask you to name the last time you actually made a trip to Denver, you’ll have an actual comeback.

Click here for a complete list of participating Colorado wineries.

The post The Bolder Life: Top 5 Reasons to Attend the Colorado Urban Winefest appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

It comforts me to know that as I “grow and mature”, so does the age-old tradition of happy hour. When I was first introduced to the concept of happy hour as a wee twenty-one-year-old, I was introduced to alcohol that was cheap in every sense of the word. These days, even the fanciest of restaurants are blessing the adoring public with many o’ happy hour filled with drink specials and mini menus that offer less expensive small bites. Lately, I’ve been enjoying some classy hours of happiness at a few of my favorite places in North Boulder.

Growing up within the craft beer world, I always felt like I was cheating when I chose a girly cocktail or a nice glass of Syrah over my favorite IPA or Pilsner. But as time went on, and my employment with a local Boulder County brewery ended, I began to venture out into the world of classy adult cocktails. I started off slowly with Lemon Drop martinis, because let’s face it, it was the only drink that I actually understood at the time. Eventually, my tastebuds grew up and I started experimenting with other types of liquor besides my comforting typical choice of vodka. I tried drinks made with lavender-infused gin and blackberry whiskeys—drinks that are full of sophistication and class.

On a day-to-day basis, I have to dress and act like an adult for work purposes. (It’s a real drag). I get up on time, I drink viscous, unsweetened coffee, I put on high heels and red lipstick, and walk around in public acting like an adult. Part of the adult act is dining at local, foodie restaurants filled with complex foods and menu items in another language.

Lately, on the days that I’m the most adult-like—I hang out at my favorite north Boulder restaurants for happy hour.

Starting with Radda Trattoria. If you haven’t been to Mateo’s sister restaurant located across from the Boulder Community Hospital, then I highly recommend that you add this restaurant to your wish list. First of all, they have a south-facing patio with a spectacular view of the Flatirons. In my most adult-like attire, wearing sunglasses that are far too big for my face, I sipped on a refreshing bellini—a combination of crisp, bubbly prosecco poured over a sweet white peach puree. Enjoying the company of my best friend, I sipped my bellini like a grown-up and munched on a variety of happy hour items including French fries dusted with truffle oil and a delicious, warm flatbread topped with parmesan cheese and herbs. Happy hour at Radda runs every day from 3-6 pm.

If you really want to expand your classy drink knowledge, I would suggest paying a visit to north Boulder staple, The Hungry Toad. This establishment has a huge specialty drink list that includes fifteen martini variations to cater to the adult folk. When I’m feeling especially sassy, and sporting the reddest lipstick that I own, I saunter into The Hungry Toad and order up a Carmel Apple Martini. Nothing says sass-a-frass more than a woman wearing red lipstick, pretending to be an adult while sipping something out of a martini glass. You can off-set all of the sweetness and adultness by pairing your cutsey martini with one of the Toad’s twenty-two burger offerings. Seriously. Twenty-two. Happy hour runs from 3-6 p.m. on Monday-Friday, and can be enjoyed outside on the patio where you’ll have a prime seat to people watch the passerybys of north Boulder.

And lastly, it’s not a true north Boulder happy hour until you’ve paid a visit to the fine folks at Dagabi Cucina. I strongly suggest that you bring back-up and settle in for at least an hours worth of sampling tasty menu items from the long list of tapas offered at happy hour. Plus, if you’re interested in a good martini, the bar staff at Dagabi will set you up right. On my last happy hour visit to Dagabi, I ordered a glass of the house red wine during happy hour, and I liked it. I was surprised by the quality taste of the house wine that I paid $4 for. And the house white turned out to be a wonderful drink to compliment a meal composed of calamari, mussels, bruschetta and margherita pizza with. (Whoa—I know what you’re thinking and the answer is no. I did not consume all of that food myself—I had back-up). Although Dagabi’s happy hour is short, it’s totally worth it—so get there early and enjoy grown-up food for a discounted price from 5-6:30 p.m. every day of the week and all night on Tuesdays.

The post The Bolder Life: Classy Happy Hours appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Photo by Jenifer Harrington

Summer is officially here, and aside from a little rain, it’s been blue skies and perfect hiking weather in Boulder County for the past few weeks. Farmers’ Markets have once again become the most popular place for weekly grocery shopping trips and the number of cyclists on the road has tripled in past month. Ski racks have been replaced with bike racks and storage racks to hold camping gear and winter-friendly events have been replaced with outdoor festivals and picnics.

It’s finally appropriate to wear half the amount of clothing that you usually do and to leave work at noon only to return three hours later in your hiking boots, sporting a little extra sweat on your brow.

When it boils down to it—summer is really about three things: soaking up as much sunshine in the great outdoors as possible, enjoying the company of good friends, and indulging in enough seasonal food items to propel your active lifestyle.

Aside from slaving away throwing your own event sunshine, friends and good food-filled event—the next best option is to visit the source—and by source, I mean farm. With a handful of farms dotting the Boulder County landscape, it isn’t tough to find a way to enjoy an authentic farm-to-table dinner.

My favorite local farms to enjoy an expertly prepared, fresh bite—are at the quaint Lyons Farmette and at Longmont’s Olin Farm. Both places also serve as a venue for weddings and other private events, so you know the atmosphere at each place is going to be exceptional.

Invite your friends, get outside, breathe in the fresh Colorado summer air and gaze at a sky full of stars as you dine on menu items harvested from the same patch of group it’s prepared and served on.

Pretty cool.

So give your kitchen the night off, call up your friends, and enjoy a relaxing evening supporting your local farms and noshing on a menu based on seasonal local ingredients and grown and prepared with love.

Olin Farms is located at 8627 North 95^th Street. Farm-to-table dinners kick off of June 22^nd and run through August. Guests are welcome to bring their own libations and encouraged to make their reservations online.

The Lyons Farmette is located at 4121 Ute Highway, and offers a slew of farm-to-table dinners through the fall. Check out their upcoming May 24^th pizza dinner and check out their current calendar filled with dinners and classes at their gorgeous Lyons property.

The post The Bolder Life: Dining Under the Stars appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

It’s almost that simple. If you’re drinking a beer at the Chips 4 Kids benefit Saturday night, you’ve already done your part to save the children—and by children, I mean at-risk youth—and by saved, I mean given them the opportunity to expand their horizons by experiencing and learning about the “natural beauty of Colorado from the seat of a mountain bike”.

Pretty cool.

I’m (for the most part) an adult, but the inner kid in me can’t think of a better way to gain confidence, meet friends and learn about the environment than taking a little break from life and catching some fresh Colorado air on the seat of a mountain bike.

The folks at Trips for Kids (Denver/Boulder) are in the (non-profit) business of putting smiles on kids’ faces. This organization is comprised completely of volunteer community members that believe that one great way to give back is to offer kids a whole new world and new appreciation for Mother Nature. Trips for Kids has over seventy chapters nationwide all which help at-risk kids by combining lessons in confidence building, achievement and environmental awareness through the development of practical skills, and the simple act of having fun.

So here’s the skinny:

Date: Saturday, April 28^th
Place: Boulder Indoor Cycling
Time: Doors open at 7:00 p.m. | Tables open ‘til 11:00 p.m.

So what exactly is the deal?

This event is jam-packed with fun things—like casino games—and the chance to win an awesome mountain bike. A $40 donation gets you into the event where you’ll enjoy pints of Boulder Beer and Avery Brewing beer, complimentary tastings from the Leopold Brothers Distillery, (fake) gambling at free tables with professional dealers, live jazz/swing music, live bike races on the Velodrome, a silent auction (see silent auction items here) and the chance to win some really fun prizes.

So throw on some nice threads, open your hearts and your wallets, and don’t miss this opportunity to put a smile on kids face while having some fun yourself!

The post The Bolder Life: Drink a beer, save the children appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

My ego, my calves and my liver are still a little sore from the beating I took this past weekend during the 6^th Annual Boulder Beer Pearl Street Scavenger Hunt. Aside from a tummy full of beer, other things I took away from this highly sought after event (tickets sold out in 8 minutes!) included: an appreciation for those used concert tickets that always end up in your wallet, a renewed love for the locals of the fair city of Boulder that spend more time eating in restaurants on Pearl Street than in their own dining rooms and come in handy when scavenging artwork from the inside of restaurant walls—and an appreciation for the awesome awkwardness that is the Pearl Street Mall.

If you’ve never participated in the Boulder Beer Scavenger Hunt, I highly recommend you look into it next year. Although my team, Team BFF (Beer Friends Forever), didn’t take away the grand prize of beer of a year, and lost out to team Purple Rain in the costume contest, I still had a blast running around downtown Boulder– playing games like corn hole, Pictionary and Memory at different bars and restaurants, and collecting awkward items… like rubber babies, golf tees and colored paper clips.

Although you’ll have to wait until next year for this beer-lover’s event to come around again, here’s a list of upcoming beer-centric events that should tide you over for a while.

2012 Samael’s Release and Vertical Tasting
Thursday, April 26^th | 6:30 p.m. | Avery Brewing Barrel Aging Cellar
I spent some time in the Avery Brewing Barrel Aging Cellar last week, and let me tell you, these guys take their aged beers seriously! Samael’s Oak Aged Ale is part of the “Demons of Ale” series and promises to demonize your pallet! $20 gets you: in the door, a vertical tasting of Samael’s paired with some tasty desserts.

Microbreweries for the Environment
Friday, April 27^th | 8:00 p.m. | The Boulder Theater
This much-loved Boulder event is back again, and ready to serve up craft beers from 20 Colorado microbreweries! Tickets are $25.75 in advance plus an additional $12 for unlimited tastings or $2 per pint of beer. Proceeds from this benefit will be awarded to a slew of local non-profit organizations and the who’s who of the local music scene will provide the entertainment for the evening.

Oskar Blues/Upslope Brewing Beer Dinner
Thursday, May 10^th | Time TBD | Oskar Blues Homemade Liquids & Solids
Oskar Blues and Upslope Brewing will be kicking off Craft Beer week on Thursday, May 10^th with a collaboration beer dinner held at Oskar Blues Liquids and Solids in Longmont. Food by OB, with Upslope Beer pairings sounds like the makings of one delicious beer dinner. Time and price are still TBD. Keep an eye on the Oblongbar Twitter page for more info.

Chocolate Lab for Lovers… of Craft Beer
Wednesday, May 16^th | 7:00 p.m. | Piece, Love & Chocolate
Beer and chocolate go together like peanut butter and jelly—and the chocolatiers at Piece, Love & Chocolate are holding a tasting class to show you why. Join “Madame Chocolat”, Chef Sarah Amorese and Jeff Mendel of Left Hand Brewing as they guide you on your way to a new appreciation for fine chocolate and craft beer—together as one. Tickets are $45 per person. Register here.

The post The Bolder Life: Beer, Please appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

As a freshman at the University of Colorado Boulder, I spent a good amount of time on the Hill. I got cheap tickets to relatively unknown bands at the Fox Theater. I devoured Illegal Pete’s burritos and sandwiches from that strange-smelling deli in the early morning hours. I bought Christmas and birthday gifts for the family at the CU Bookstore and I attended poetry readings at Burnt Toast for extra credit in almost every creative writing class that I ever took.

At eighteen years old, the University Hill was the place to be.

But, unfortunately, I’m not eighteen anymore—and for the past few years the Hill has represented a noisy place that is nearly impossible to maneuver in a car, filled with cheap food and plenty of PBR.

But the times, they are a-changing—and for every dive bar and pizza place found on the Hill, there’s a grown-up dining establishment to match.

Check out these three tasty reasons for the adult you to give the Hill another chance.

Café Aion | 1235 Pennsylvania Ave.
Olive Oil Poached Albacore Tuna, Crispy Duck Confit, Limoncello Spritzers and cloth hand towels in the restroom are all things that you wouldn’t expect to find in a restaurant located in the heart of a buzzing college town neighborhood. Café Aion has become a gathering place where the young and old foodies collide on the corner of one of the most beloved street corners in Boulder.

The No Name Bar | 1325 Broadway Ave.
“Seriously, this bar has no name”, said the straight-faced bouncer standing guard inside of the unlabeled door with the sketchy looking peep hole and the heavy door-knocker made of iron. This nameless bar is dressed in an elegant-looking wood paneling and filled with alcoholic beverages that would make any grown-up drool. Infused tequilas, classy cocktails and popular local craft beers stock the shelves of this small venue which offers live music almost every night of the weekend, and menu items by neighbor, Cosmos Pizza every night.

Innisfree Poetry Bookstore and Café | 1203 13^th St.
It feels like every time I walk by this quaint coffee shop it’s expanded. Although this bookstore/café is always filled with studious students, adults have been infiltrating the place lately—attending poetry readings, book clubs and sipping espresso out of tiny cups. Support Boulder’s poetry scene, and your local coffee shop at this popular Hill location.

The post The Bolder Life: The Hill Gets Classy appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Turns out, there are a lot of people in Boulder County that not only dig eating food, but also enjoying pairing their favorite menu items with tasty beverages. With a healthy population of breweries, distilleries and wineries in the area, there always seems to be an excuse to throw some sort of event to showcase how well popular local libations go with the culinary delights coming out of Boulder County’s restaurants.

The next few weeks are full of exciting collaborations by the best of the best of the local food and drink scene. Clear your busy schedules and make your reservations! You’ll be so happy you did.

Centro/Upslope Brewing Beer Dinner @ Upslope Brewing
Sunday, April 15^th | 5:30 p.m. | $50 per person
As of late, Upslope Brewing has been pounding the promotional pavement extremely hard with a slew of beer dinners at local restaurants including a special collaboration beer dinner with Boulder’s Centro Latin Kitchen and Refreshment Place to be held at the Upslope Brewery. If you’ve never experienced a beer dinner held in a brewery or a brewery tap room, then you definitely need to check this out. Fresh beer right from the source, great food, and the rustic aroma of craft beer beginnings—it doesn’t get much better than that!

Snout to Tail Dinner @ SALT the Bistro
Monday, April 16^th | 6:00 p.m. | $88 per person
SALT has been hogging the limelight lately with the introduction of their $9 Farm to Table Lunches and bar manager, Adrian Sutevski’s, big win at this year’s Boulder’s Best Mixology competition—which means locals have been chomping at the bit to get in on the unique food-focused dinner using several different parts of the pig. 8 courses. You heard me right—I said 8 courses, paired with 8 different beers. You should probably make your reservations now and fast until Monday.

Community Beer Social @ Terrior
Wednesday, April 18^th | 6:30 p.m. | $30 per person
I don’t make it to Longmont much, but I’ve been dying to check out some of the many community-involved events that happen at Terrior on a regular basis. Most importantly—events centered around beer. Terrior likes serving good beer, and even better, they like pairing it with delicious food and serving it to you. This month’s Community Beer Social features 3 beers from Schmaltz Brewing Co. in New York, paired with 3 delicious Terrior dishes. Only 15 seats are available for the event so make your reservation today!

Left Hand Brewing Beer Dinner @ Old Chicago Longmont
Thursday, April 19^th | 6:30 p.m. | $35 per person
Seriously?! This is happening. This event seemed a little odd to me at first, but it’s Longmont on Longmont action happening and it sounds like it’s going to be a pretty good time. $35 is a steal for anything paired with Left Hand beers; and—Bubba Love will be there. Bubba Love is hilarious. I promise you’ll leave this event with a stomach ache, and not from the food or beer. Bubba will keep you laughing all night with his many stories, and his passion and knowledge of craft beer will give you some homebrewed warm and fuzzies.

Cured-Boxcar-Pizzaria Basta-The Pinyon-Growe Foundation Pop-Up Dinner @ Cured
Monday, April 23^rd | 5:30 p.m. | $100 per person
Let’s see a raise of hands—who didn’t shed at least one tiny tear when Chef/Owner, Theo Adely, announced that the most popular place to find the best friend chicken in Boulder was jumping ship and looking for a Denver address. I know, right? A shame—but luckily for the Pinyon’s aficionados, Chef Theo is participating in a “Pop-Up Dinner” that includes a collaborative menu featuring food prepared by Chef Theo, Chef Kelly Whitaker of Pizzeria Basta, Chef Nathan Miller of the Tasterie Truck and of course, yummy items from the folks at Cured. The event is in support of the Growe Foundation and will also feature beer and wine pairings.

Bookcliff Vineyards Annual Spring Barrel Tasting featuring Erik Skokan of Black Cat Bistro
Friday, May 4^th & Saturday May 5^th | 6:30 p.m. |$70 per person
Many moons ago—okay—last summer, I took a trip to the Bookcliff Vineyard tasting room located in the same neighborhood as Upslope Brewing and Bradford Heap’s soon-to-be distillery venture. Chatting with the knowledgeable and friendly staff, and of course, sampling the delicious wine that is coming out of this place made me an instant fan. Bookcliff always has some sort of an event going on, but their upcoming Annual Spring Barrel Tasting is one that is not to be missed! Sample emerging wines in the winery followed by a 5 course dinner featuring cuisine by Erik Skokan of the Black Cat Bistro.

Odell Beer Dinner at Lucky Pie Louisville
Wednesday, April 25th | 6:30 p.m. |$55 per person
I love Lucky Pie. It’s not a secret. But I’ve also been digging on the Odell Myrcenary IPA which is included as one of the beer pairings in this delicious-sounding beer dinner. Crab fitters, pork loin carpaccio, and espresso panna cotta are just a few of the menu items you’ll be lucky enough to enjoy if you snag tickets to this beer dinner!

The post The Bolder Life: Perfect Pairings 2.0 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

I love food of all different kinds of shapes, sizes, colors and tastes—which is why I feel so lucky to be living in such a unique and tasty foodie Mecca. But as much I like sampling new menus items and frequenting my favorite restaurants, I also like doing things like paying my bills and buying things like toilet paper, laundry detergent and socks. (I’m always losing socks). So I love it when my favorite restaurants offer up deals for the frugal foodie. Whether it’s a weekly special menu, a lunch deal or a killer happy hour, there are plenty of ways to sample a variety of the best local cuisine while still keeping your wallet full with sock fund money. (Seriously, tell me you can find matches for all of the socks in your sock drawer!)

SALT the Bistro | 1047 Pearl St. | Boulder
Farm to Table Lunch Menu
Monday  – Saturday | $9 per person
SALT is always one of the busiest restaurants in downtown Boulder, and it’s really no secret why. They’re preparing incredible food, fresh from the farm, and pairing their menu items with expertly designed cocktails. Even though most of the dinner entrees on SALT’s menu are pretty pricy, customers can still sample their delicious cooking by paying SALT a visit a lunch. For $9 per person, diners can choose a ½ sandwich, cup of soup or side and a “tiny treat” dessert from the Farm to Table Lunch Menu. When’s the last time you had a Roasted Pork Belly Rueben for under $10?

Dagabi Cucina | 3970 N. Broadway | Boulder
Tapas Happy Hour
Daily from 5-6:30 & all night on Tuesdays | $3-$7 Tapa Menu
It’s embarrassing how many times I’ve left work early just to catch the awesome happy hour that this North Boulder gem offers up on a weekly basis. A typical Dagabi happy hour for me involves great friends, a surprisingly delicious house red wine ($4), a table filled with a variety of tapas and a surprisingly low bill. I’ve been digging on the Pisto Manchego and the Steamed Mussels in a Tomato-Chili Broth lately, but you should probably make Dagbi Cucina your next happy hour destination so that you can pick which of their 33 happy hour tapas is your favorite.

Niwot Tavern |7960 Niwot Road | Niwot
Dinner for Two for $20
Tuesdays | $20 per two people
I’m still full from just thinking about the last time that I dined at this cozy, small-town restaurant on a Tuesday. For $20, two people can choose one appetizer (to share), a soup or salad and an entrée from Niwot Tavern’s “Two for $20 Tuesday” menu. I can still taste their creamy, spicy artichoke dip. (On the appetizer menu). Entrée selections include a crispy Eggplant Parmesan, Single Petit Filet of Beef, Fish and Chips, a tasty Asian Chicken salad and a few other items that are found on the Tavern’s much-loved dinner menu. Amazing deal, but I warn you, go hungry—because you will definitely leave this frugal foodie location with a full stomach and wallet.

Pizzeria Locale | 1730 Pearl St. | Boulder
Aperitivo Menu
Daily from 4:30—5:30 p.m. | $2-$5 Appetizer Menu
Who doesn’t love Pizzeria Locale? The East End eatery has been blowing foodie minds since it opened its doors two years ago. Most people walk out of this restaurant with a full stomach and an empty wallet—which is a shame, because the food that is coming out of this kitchen is good enough to leave me speechless—which is kind of a rarity. But have no fear, Pizzeria Locale is offering an Aperitivo (appetizer) menu composed of delicious small bite appetizers, and even a few of their tasty pizzas. Special pricing for select beer, wine and espresso are also offered.

Arugula | 2785 Iris Ave. | Boulder
Monday Night First Bite
Mondays | $26 per person
First Bite Boulder is a November thing, but the folks at Arugula chose to keep their special First Bite Menu pricing year-round. For $26 per person, every Monday, you get a three-course menu comprised of two appetizers and one main course. I’m not going to lie, I often dream of Arugula’s seared polenta. When a typical dinner entrée costs around $20, it definitely behooves you to check out this three-course frugal foodie deal.

Lucky Pie Louisville | 637 Front St. | Louisville
Happy Hour
Daily from 4-6 p.m. | $3-$5 Appetizer Menu
I love Lucky Pie. I make excuses to go to Louisville just so I can post up in the inviting LP bar area for a pint of good beer and a happy hour pizza (and other happy hour menu items). With 21 rotating tap handles and a healthy selection of good wines and creative cocktails, it’s hard not to find something to drink in this place. Pair one of those delicious drinks with a discount item from the happy hour menu and you, and your wallet are set.

Café Aion | 1235 Pennsylvania Ave. |Boulder
Neighborhood Night
Wednesdays |$35 per two people
Read this. Go here. Pay $35 for two people to share a family style Paella dish with an expertly paired bottle of wine. Now, I’m not a math person, but I know that $35, split between two people, for dinner and a bottle of wine… is a steal—and a tasty one at that. Go here. Trust me.

The post The Bolder Life: The Frugal Foodie appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Events are always sneaking up on me—like tiny ninjas, dressed in all black, creeping around in shadows and stuff. This is a shame, because some of the best, can’t-be-missed events sell out pretty far in advance. So in an effort to help you be proactive about your social life, I’ve put together a list of upcoming events that should seriously be on your radar. You should probably pull out your credit card right now and purchase tickets to at least one, if not all of these events—right… now.

The 6^th Annual Boulder Beer Scavenger Hunt
Tickets on Sale: April 6^th | Actual Event: April 21^st | Pearl Street Mall
Free beer for a year. That’s probably all that you really need to know to sell you on this annual, ridiculous event. Participants are encouraged to dress up for the costume contest, which was apparently won last year by team, “Go Home and Touch Yourself”—the crazier the costume, the better, and the more you’ll fit right in on the infamous Pearl Street Mall where you’ll search for items on this wacky scavenger hunt in hopes of winning the grand prize of beer for a year!

Taste of Pearl
Tickets on Sale: Now | Actual Event: April 22^nd | Pearl Street Mall
This event gives me the warm and fuzzies, and not just because there’s a lot of wine involved—there’s food from lots of amazing Boulder restaurants as well! Stroll in and out of participating shops on Pearl Street Mall where you’ll sample wine from 15 local wineries as well and food prepared by 15 of Boulder’s most beloved restaurants on this walking culinary tour. Plus, a portion of the proceeds will benefit Boulder’s own, Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA), which means you’ll also being doing something good for your community. (Warm and fuzzies, right?!)

Microbreweries for the Environment
Tickets on Sale: Now | Actual Event: April 27^th | Boulder Theater
I still have my cutesy, powder blue t-shirt that I was given several years ago during my first Microbreweries for the Environment event. Although the overall event has changed a little over the years, the premise is still the same. Go to the Boulder Theater, drink craft beer from over 20 local breweries, support the environmental initiatives of six local non-profits, listen to some live music, collect a commemorative glass and do it all again next year. Great event for locals interested in sustainability and craft beer. Click here for pricing and more info.

The post The Bolder Life: Tickets on Sale Now! appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

I live in Boulder, so naturally I’ve spent many summer days enjoying some of Colorado’s beautiful sunshine and the sound of the nearby creek on the patio at the Dunshanbe Teahouse. I’ve savored platefuls of colorful ceviche and refreshing mojitos at Aji. I’ve contemplated going strictly vegetarian while at Leaf. I’m like a regular on the Three Leaf Concepts circuit. But my mind, (and taste buds), were officially blown on my first visit Huckleberry—Three Leaf’s tiny gem of an eatery located in Old Town Louisville.

Nestled on the south end of Main Street in a historic, old home, Huckleberry pretty much embodies the word “quaint”. The restaurant/bakery’s interior looks and feels like I’d imagine my grandmother’s house would look like if my grandma lived on a farm, painted her dining room in beautiful pastel hues and hung homey folk art on the walls. It doesn’t hurt that you’re immediately greeted by delicious smells and a display cooler filled with some of the most inviting sweet treats I’ve ever seen.

Now I’ve heard phenomenal things about their breakfast and brunch service—but at seven o’clock at night, a girl needs dinner; and after consuming some not-so-delicious meals this week, my stomach needed some reassurance that good food still exists. Of course I didn’t dine at this Louisville treasure alone—ordering a variety of entrees as a party for one looks incredibly awkward. So I dragged my sister and her fiancé along so I could sample their dishes too.

After some serious decision making, I decided to go with the Trout Almondine topped with a luxurious lemon-amaretto cream sauce and served with roasted potatoes and green beans. This dish restored my faith in food giving me a rich meal with a lightness that left my stomach feeling the right amount of full. My sister, after initially having her on the sold-out Butter Nut Squash Ravioli decided to go with the Polenta Zucchini Parmesan. I’ve had some pretty good polenta in my time, but the flavor that Huckleberry packed into this perfectly cut circle of polenta was outstanding. When I asked my sister how her meal was, I was met with only silence—which the universal language for “sooo good”. My soon-to-be brother-in-law went with the classic comfort food, Chicken Pot Pie, baked and served in soft and flaky shell served with warm salad of greens on the side to add the health factor to the dish.

Our laid-back but attentive waiter offered us a selection of wonderful sounding desserts, which includes everything from old fashioned soda shop staples of Sundaes, Milkshakes and Root Beer Floats to a Strawberry Layer Cream Cake, a Triple Chocolate Layer Cake, a Lemon Curd Cake a variety of other baked goods made in-house.

I’m so glad I ventured east of 55^th street this evening. I’m counting down the days until I get to visit Huckleberry again. I’m planning on bringing several more guests next time because there’s no way that I’m going to be able to limit myself when it comes to sampling the breakfast/brunch menu at the Louisville restaurant that was voted “Best Brunch”… in Boulder.

Huckleberry is open seven days a week and is part of Three Leaf Concepts Restaurants that includes The Boulder Dunshanbe Teahouse, Aji Latin American Restaurant, Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant and Zucca Italian Ristorante. Three Leaf Concepts also runs the Three Leaf Farm in Louisville where they grow organic produce to supply their restaurants with.

The post The Bolder Life: Adventures in Huckleberry Dining appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

A bear walks into a bar and sits down.
He calls the bartender over and says, “I’d like a jack …………… and coke.”
The bartender says, “okay, but why the big pause?”
The bear looks down and says, “I dunno, I was born with them!”

This is the joke that I told my friend on one of the beautiful trails that weaves its way up Pikes Peak just after we’d discovered that we’d been separated from our group and had just spent the last hour hiking two miles in the wrong direction.

The group that we’d lost were participants in one of Love Hope Strength’s fundraising musical pilgrimages in which people get together to conquer massive mountains (literally), listen to some live music and raise awareness for cancer research. (Love Hope Strength is an amazing charity that is based out of Denver. Click here for more info about LHS and ways that you can offer your support).

On this crazy day, halfway to the top of Pikes Peak, I was introduced to one of my favorite musicians whose tunes can be found on pretty much every iPod playlist I’ve ever created.

The White Buffalo captures the essence of everything that is revered about a true musician and songwriter that creates and performs his own lyrics. Years after listening to him perform live for the first time the sound of his voice and his music still gives me the chills. A combination of songs from the heart sung with the perfect amount of power and soul to completely silence an entire venue. The White Buffalo represents a dying breed of musicians with livers of steel that live and die by the road and continuously produce underground music with a cult following of true fans that have had the pleasure of hearing the authentic tunes live.

This Saturday, The White Buffalo will pay a visit to the Fox Theatre in Boulder.

Show kicks off at 9:00 p.m. with some tunes by Danny Shafer and Christopher  Hawley followed by The White Buffalo’s seamless blend of old-school country with a touch of folk and rock n’ roll.

Tickets are $8 in advance and $12 at the door which is a steal for the killer show you’re going to see!

Not convinced yet? Then check out The White Buffalo’s YouTube channel and let his music speak for itself.

The post The Bolder Life: The White Buffalo Plays the Fox appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

I’ve been living under a rock. A giant rock. Like one of those rocks that Land Rover and Jeep dealerships use to give potential driver’s a taste of the power of their product.

I’ve thought about mixing bikes and booze before. I mean, bikes and booze are two staples of living the Bolder Life in Boulder County. But getting a group of your friends together to ride bikes and seek booze can be a little tricky. There’s the handful of your friends that (gasp!) don’t have bikes. Then there’s always the one friend that has a flat tire or can’t find their bike lock, and mass chaos ensues leaving the rest of the group scrambling.

Well, my friends, picture this—a sixteen-passenger bike that will take you and your friends on a tour of your favorite Boulder or Fort Collins bars for a booze cruise that you will likely never forget.

I was introduced to the MyHandleBar crew and the ridiculous concept of the sixteen-passenger bike this week when I ventured out on a cruise around downtown Boulder to three of the most popular restaurants in the area. Let me paint you a picture:

First Stop: After a solid group effort to power this mobile bar through the busy, traffic-filled streets of downtown Boulder, our group was delivered to the front steps of Salt the Bistro in the old Tom’s Tavern digs. We were escorted to the dark and moody lower level of the restaurant where we were met by head mixologist, Evan Faber, and recent Boulder’s Best Mixologist winner, Adrian Sutevski.  The duo walked us through two unique cocktails and through SALT’s vision and promise to produce the best beverages using as many local and in-house ingredients and as many understandable descriptions as possible. The cocktails were delicious and Evan and Adrian’s passion for mixology incredibly infectious. Don’t forget to bring your own vinyl and share some of your old school records with the passionate staff and grateful patrons that frequent the lower section of this stand-out Boulder restaurant.

Second Stop: The Dunshanbe Tea House is a landmark on the Boulder map. The history behind the Tea House is just as amazing as the interior and exterior of this beautifully crafted building. Up until this week, I had no idea that alcoholic beverages were served at the bar of this incredibly peaceful place that promotes relaxation and all-around happy thoughts. But they do. They serve a delicious cocktail infused with a tangerine tea made especially for the Tea House by Celestial Seasonings. The cocktail is light and refreshing and perfectly matches the serene setting in which it’s meant to be enjoyed in.

Third Stop: I would visit Aji on the East End, solely for their delicious ceviche and prime location for people watching. (The comfortable seats that run along Pearl Street provide some of the best people watching on the entire mall!) But Aji offered me something even better than the ceviche and the opportunity to see a tiny seventy-year-old man walking arm-in-arm with two attractive younger women—Pisco Sours. This South American drink is a wonderful accompaniment to Aji’s Latin-inspired menu. Order one on your next visit and be sure to check out Aji’s sister restaurant, Leaf, which is offering up a vegetarian menu right next door!

MyHandleBar is a sixteen-passenger bike that offers tours in Boulder and Fort Collins. Booze is not served on the bike, a minimum of two hours is required per trip and five of the sixteen seats do not require any peddling. Friday and Saturday rates are $180/hour. (That’s just $22.50 per person for a fun and safe ride around town!)Sunday-Thursday rates are $160/hour and Holiday rates are $200/hour. Visit the MyHandleBar website for more info and to book your tour today!

The post The Bolder Life: MyHandleBar Madness appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

You’ve seen the buttons with that cute, little red P on some of your favorite websites. You’re constantly viewing images of things that your friends have “pinned” running through their Facebook and Twitter feeds. You’ve thought about signing up, but you’re still not really sure what Pintrest is all about.

That’s okay. A lot of people still have no idea how to really utilize this photo-sharing website.

I like Pintrest. I’m a huge procrastinator, so websites that are frequently updated with pictures of food, pretty flowers, and shiny DIY projects definitely give me the platform that I need to maximize my procrastination.

Most of the time, I feel pretty inadequate while scrolling through the Pintrest reel. I mean, I don’t own a crockpot, I have no idea how to crochet, and the last time I was looking for a wedding dress I was five, and looking for some trouble in my mother’s closet. For those of you Pintrest users, you can see how this affects how I feel about the website.

So—even though some of my crafty and cutesy pinboards might be struggling, I’ve found some new ways to play with Pintrest that don’t involve any skill, yarn, high tech cooking gadgets or a wedding in the near future.

Tracking/Sharing Food & Libation Items from Your Favorite Dining Hubs
You Yelp, share food pics on Forkly and inform the world which craft beers you’re currently drinking and digging on Untapped. So why not share pictures and reviews of must-try menu items or beverages from your favorite local spots? You’re in the know, so let your friends know which meals and beverages that shouldn’t be missing out on next time they’re out on the town. Also, this is a great way to keep expanding your foodie, craft beer-nerd status as you can track which places/items you’ve already tried.

Create and Event Calendar
So you can never remember exactly which month Frozen Dead Guy Days is held, or whether Rocky Grass falls at the beginning of the summer or at the end. That’s okay. Create an Events Calendar board and start pinning website links of your must-see list of concerts, festivals and public shindigs going on in your ‘hood. I constantly come across events that I’m dying to check out, but with so many fun things happening locally, it’s hard to remember them all! Downtown Boulder, the Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau and Colorado Tourism are a step above the rest in creating Pintrest pages that highlight local events, restaurants and things to do in the area.

Get More Out of Your Local Retail Shops
Ever wonder where your favorite local retail stores get their inspiration? Follow them on Pintrest to find out which other local retail stores that dig on and what inspires them to make awesome products for you. If you’re an athletic lady, definitely follow Skirt Sports. They’re a local company pumping out feminine workout clothes for the serious athlete who still likes to keep it a little on the sassy (yet on practical side). Skirt Sports isn’t only pinning pictures of their apparel, if you follow them, you’ll also get in the know about their favorite places to work out along with workout plans images of things that keep them motivated. Pretty cool. Utilize the Pintrest search button and search for your favorite people/businesses.

The post The Bolder Life: 3 Things You Probably Aren’t, But Should Be Using Pintrest For appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Although spring has just begun, I’m already feeling pretty exhausted by all of the awesomeness that this time of year has to offer.

Can we please talk about this 70-degree weather!

Amazing.

So amazing that I’ve spent every free hour of daylight soaking up the sunshine—hiking, biking taking up space on my favorite restaurant’s patios. It’s been a rough go. I struggled through my epic twenty-seventh birthday weekend. I’ve raced out of work to sneak in some time on my favorite trails. I came down with a case of spring fever. I ate my way through Denver Restaurant Week and now I’ve completely immersed myself in March Madness. (Go Buffs!) Sounds pretty rough, I know.

What I need is some good old fashioned R&R. I might even turn off my cell phone this weekend. (Yeah right). I’ll probably fall asleep at 9 o’clock every night and only eat frozen food from a box. (I can’t even be bothered to cook or clean this weekend—way too difficult).

When I need to rest and recharge, I usually pay a visit to three places—I highly recommend that you check them out:

Wonderland Lake Trailhead
This is my favorite place to go to get a little fresh air, some good scenery and a little peace of mind when a good 5-mile hike just isn’t in the cards. There’s no better place to relax and take in a deep breath than at this North Boulder trail. I typically park at the Foothills Trailhead and make my way around the 1.5 mile Wonderland Lake loop. The view of the Flatirons is absolutely stunning and I’m a pretty big fan of trails with lakes. Plus, this trail is a quick five minute drive to the Upslope Brewing Tap Room… I’m just saying.

Boulder Community Acupuncture
If I had a nickel for every time someone told me to “just relax”, I could buy my own acupuncture clinic. But since that’s not how the world works, I still leave my stress-relief in the more than capable hands of the ladies at Boulder Community Acupuncture. I always feel refreshed, relaxed and sometimes a little intoxicated after leaving an appointment. Plus, their sliding scale payment plan means that you pay what you can afford leaving your wallet relaxed and refreshed as well.

Itsera Martial Arts and Family Fitness
I can’t say enough good things about this little gym in Niwot. I started taking kickboxing classes here last month, and I’m kind of obsessed. There’s no better feeling than leaving a workout tired, sweaty and super relaxed. Itsera offers Kickboxing classes, Muay Thai classes and Boot Camp classes. The instructors are fantastic and you’re encouraged to go at your own pace. Plus, each class ends with a little meditation and a positive message for the week.

The post The Bolder Life: Some Good Old Fashioned R&R appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

This weekend marks the second anniversary of my twenty-fifth birthday and what better way to celebrate this momentous occasion than with a few of my favorite things.

Bikes, delicious craft beer and some warm weather barbequing. Throw in one awesome best friend (also celebrating a birthday), a slew of other bike-riding, beer-drinking folks and a good old fashioned barbeque and I truly do have the makings of a pretty awesome birthday.

I’m pretty excited, and I never get excited about birthdays.

It all started on the day of my tenth birthday party when my parents drove away from the Roller Rink, leaving me in the bathroom until they realized their error and came tearing back into the parking lot. They didn’t even have the decency to leave some of my birthday presents for me to play with to pass the time. I know, right? Pretty scarring. Then there was the time I got a triple chocolate, fudge-filled, oreo cake with chocolate ice cream for my birthday. Sounds delicious–for people that actually like chocolate.

So here I am. Giving the whole birthday shenanigans business another shot. I mean, you only turn twenty-five a handful of times!

Here are some of my tips for throwing a bikes, brews and barbeque shindig of your own:

Recon and Taste Testing

Luckily for me, I live within a quick bike ride to Avery Brewing, Boulder Beer Co., Redstone Meadery, and the wildcard stop on the tour—303 Vodka. Because I’m a really good person, care about others and want my friends to have a good time at my birthday shenanigans, I’ve done quite a bit of taste testing and spent my share of time scoping out the best local tasting rooms to stop at on the tour. Seriously—I’m a giver.

Two Wheels

My bike’s name is Lilly. We spend a lot of time together, so naturally I wanted to include her in my birthday festivities. However, I understand that not everyone has a working bike—or a bike period. Don’t let that deter you. If your friends can’t get in on the best and most responsible part of the action, then have them check out this site. B-Cycle exists in Boulder and Denver and offers the bike-less the chance to jump on two wheels for the day. The concept is so simple: sign up online, choose a bike from one of the conveniently placed B-Stations, participate in shenanigans, return the bike. Great idea and very reasonably priced.

Barbeque Dos

The hardest part about throwing a barbeque isn’t figuring out how to light the grill—it’s finding the right combination of alcoholic beverages to please each of your particular guests. Shake things up a bit by asking each of your guests to bring a six-pack of their favorite beer, or bottle of their favorite wine to share. Everyone gets a tasty beverage and a little variety– a win-win for all. And be sure to get all of your food prepping done earlier in the day. Marinate some chicken, prep your burger patties, cook up some cold pasta salad, a little strawberry spinach salad action, slice up some potato wedges for some grilling, whip up some yummy cupcakes—and you’re all set!

So happy biking, beer-drinking and barbequing to you, and happy birthday to me!

With blue skies and 60-degree weather, this weekend is the perfect time to get a little recon and taste tasting done for some of your upcoming celebration shenanigans!

The post The Bolder Life: Bikes, Brews and Barbeques appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Okay.

So 5,280 reasons is pretty excessive—and incredibly time consuming for the author; but the fact of the matter is that Denver Restaurant Week starts this Sunday! It’s time to put a game plan together and get serious about making reservations at the participating restaurants that you are dying to indulge at.

If you aren’t familiar with the specific details behind this tasty, budget-friendly event—you better get familiar. Restaurant week embodies all that is good about being a food fanatic for the low price of $52.80 per couple or $26.40 per person. Starting February 25 – March 9^th, diners will enjoy multi-course meals composed of regular and specialty menu items brought to you by the creative minds behind many of the most successful eateries in the 303 area code. What’s even better is Restaurant Week is actually two weeks of dining fun! That means that you’ll have plenty of time to eat your way through the participating restaurants list while still leaving time to digest and sleep in between. I’m salivating just thinking about it.

Hundreds of local restaurants are participating in this food fest and a special web page created for the most organized and serious foodie allows diners to find participating restaurants by neighborhood and by cuisine. Do you love, love Italian? Awesome, because these restaurants love making Italian food. Can’t get enough sushi? That’s great, because these restaurants have plenty of sticky rice and raw fish to prepare your favorite rolls. Easy and convenient.

Not a fan of leaving the comfort of the Boulder County bubble? I don’t blame you, it’s nice here– and fortunately, you don’t have to leave the bubble to get in on the Restaurant Week fun. Check out this list of the Boulder County restaurants offering up delicious deals.

Personally—I can’t wait to try the Octopus Carpaccio and Gorgonzola Gnocchi at Arugula. And I’ve been itching to check out John’s Restaurant that has a Black Angus New York Strip Steak on their menu that alone is worth almost as much as the bill for two diners to enjoy a 3-course Restaurant Week meal!

And if you’re feeling adventurous and want to venture outside of Boulder County, check out Freshcraft in downtown Denver. The Sweetbreads will leave you speechless and their huge selection of craft beer will validate the trip alone.

Click here for a complete list of participating restaurants.

Break out the stretchy pants and anti-acids.

And remember that tax, gratuity and accompanying libations are not included.

The post The Bolder Life: 5,280 Reasons to Love Denver Restaurant Week appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Happy Mardi Gras, y’all!

Today is Fat Tuesday, and history and tradition state that today is the day to eat richer and indulge in your favorite fatty foods before tomorrow comes along and Ash Wednesday guilts everyone into giving up the things they love—like “sweets” and “gluten”.

Even though Colorado is a long way from the French Quarter, some of your favorite local restaurants and bars are celebrating Mardi Gras in style tonight! With menus filled with everything from crawfish, Andouille sausage and shrimp to frog legs, roasted hog and even alligator! Spend your gluttonous day indulging in some traditional N’awlins cuisine, sipping on Hurricanes, and stomping your feet along to the sounds of a washboard and some classic Zydeco music!

Check out these Boulder County locations tonight and get your Mardi Gras on Bourbon St. Style!

Oskar Blues Homemade Liquids and Solids
1555 S. Hover Rd. | Longmont | 7-10 pm
Oskar Blues is serving up traditional down-home cooking all year round, but you can always count on them go big for Mardi Gras. Get your purple, green and gold beads here and catch one of the best Bluesania Zydeco bands that will be sure to have you on your feet all night! Get your Whole Roasted Hog, Alligator, traditional Gumbo, Oysters on the half-shell, Hurricane’s, Abita Amber Ale, Zydeco music and face painting for the kids—here.

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar
928 Pearl St. | Boulder
Two words: Crawfish. Boil. I love a good Cajun Crawfish Boil, and Jax Fish House knows just how to do ‘em right! Live gulf crawfish and shrimp, a little spicy Andouille sausage, some red skin potatoes, old bay seasoning, fresh lemon and a little bit of love. Jax is also serving up some crispy Bayou Frog Legs served with blackened aioli and house slaw along with some fried oyster and shaved tasso ham Po’ Boys. Cajun cuisine at its finest!

Lyons Fork
450 Main St. | Lyons | Dinner at 4 pm, Music at 7 pm
Join the Lyons Fork for Fat Tuesday and the last day of their Feasts of New Orleans! Food specials include:  Sausage Jambalaya, Trout Ponchetrain, Begnets and King Cakes. Live music starts at 7 pm with some collaborative blues by local boys, Ash Ganley and Terry Kishiyama. And while you’re there, celebrate National Margarita Day one day early with some tequila goodness whipped up by the friendly Fork bartenders.

Lucky Pie
637 Front St. | Louisville
Louisville gem, Lucky Pie is throwing a Fat Tuesday party filled with drink specials and a unique take on Cajun food. Order a Lucky Pie Cajun Pizza and wash it down with a $3 Polestar Pilsner or a $5 Sazerac! LP will also be serving up some Andouille and Chicken Gumbo along with their regular delicious menu and 21 tap handles of craft beer love.

The post The Bolder Life: Bourbon Street Meets BoCo appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Last year, the Boulder International Film Festival brought heartthrob, James Franco to the streets of downtown Boulder —and although you definitely won’t be finding the famous actors attending this year’s festival on the cover of People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive issue, you get a chance to catch a glimpse of Will Flanders’ real-life doppelganger, and get the opportunity to chat with the man that taught Charlie Sheen how to win.

BIFF (Boulder International Film Festival) kicks off tonight at 6 p.m. with the Colorado Film Society’s Opening Night Gala, followed by three days of films, workshops and events including A Conversation with William H. Macy at 7:15 pm at the Boulder Theater on Friday, and A Conversation with Martin Sheen at the same location at 2:30 p.m. the following day.  Click here for a complete schedule of the festival. Ticket prices range from $10 to $25 and discounts for students are available.

If music is more your thing, then check out these popular live bands playing Boulder County venues this weekend. Kick off your Friday night with some rockin’ blues by crowd favorite, the Johnny O Band at Oskar Blues Homemade Liquids and Solids —or keep it mellow at Waterloo in Louisville with the sweet sounds of the Idlewhile Band as they keep you entertained with a unique blend of folk, pop, country and bluegrass music brought to you by a group of incredibly talented musicians.

If you’re like a very good friend of mine, reaching adulthood didn’t really phase that childhood obsession you had with trains. If this sounds like you, then check out the 15^th Annual Rails on the Rockies happening February 18-19 at the Conference Center in Estes Park. This working exhibit includes a variety of types of model trains roaring along model railroad rails. This is a kid-friendly event where children under the age of 12 get in for free, and can operate some of the model trains themselves! Admission is $5 per person and exhibit hours for the show run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

And if you’re just plain nuts, like most of the wacky members of the Lyons Polar Bear Club, then you’ll probably be jumping in the freezing February waters of the Boulder Reservoir this Saturday for the Boulder Polar Plunge! If you’re interested in “freezing for a reason”, then visit this info page, sign up a team and pledge a donation! Plungers are encouraged to dress in their craziest garb and all teams are eligible to win prizes and invited to get warm at the after party. The money raised for this event will benefit the Special Olympics of Colorado, and if you’re like me, and enjoy keeping your feet on dry land, then register yourself as a chicken, make your donation, put on your warmest down jacket and cheer on the those crazy people taking the Boulder Polar Plunge.

The post The Bolder Life: Movies, Music and More! appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow—which is a real shame, because Tuesday is one of my favorite days of the week. Now I wouldn’t necessarily say that I take home the honors for being the biggest “Grinch” of this sugar-soaked holiday, but I probably do deserve top ten status.

What can I say? I guess Cupid missed when he shot his arrow my way!

So whether you’re one half of a gushy couple, or eating boxes of those heart-shaped chocolate all by yourself, there’s a little something for everyone going on the 14^th day of this love-filled month.

So grab the one you love, or grab that one that’ll do for now, and check out one of these events.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Boxes of Sweetheart candies for everyone!

For the Beer Lover
Avery Beer Lovers’ Dinner | The West End Tavern | 6:00 pm | $100 per Person
Your significant other loves beer. And you love your significant other. So why not treat them to a beer-centric event hosted by one of Boulder County’s best craft beer producers and most-likeable craft beer bars? Check out this 5-course menu paired with a slew of Avery brews.  This dinner might be $100 per person, but let’s face it—can you really put a price on love?

For the Special Wookiee in Your Life:
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace 3D | Show Times Vary | $13 (ish) per Ticket
If your other half believes in Wookiee and galaxies far, far away, then I would definitely suggest taking them to see this classic film in the theater. Plus—it’s in the 3D. Really, when is the last time that you saw Star Wars Episode I… and while you’re at it, try to remember the last time you saw a movie in 3D? (If, by chance, you’ve already seen this release… just disregard this message entirely).

For the Mellow Valentine in Your Life
Wendy Woo Live Music | Rock & Soul Café | 7:30 pm | $10 advance/$12 at the door
Wendy Woo is one of my favorite local artists. She delicately captures the balance between rock ‘n roll and soft songwriting. The Rock & Soul Café is the perfect intimate venue to watch this show at—and will be serving sweet desserts as well as hot drinks and beer and wine. Capture your Valentine’s heart with songs from the heart. (Awww!)

For the Music Lover
Valentine’s Evening Dinner and Dancing| Nissi’s | 7:30 pm | $60 per Person
Live jazz tunes by local band, Alive on Arrival, plus a four-course menu is definitely a romantic way to celebrate with your special someone. Make it a date night filled with the perfect mood music and an elegant menu filled with items like Oysters Rockefeller, Prime Rib and Angel Food Cake.

For the Valentine in the Friend Zone
Anti-Valentine’s Day Party | Oskar Blues Grill and Brew | 7:00 pm | Free Show
Did you get “Best Friend” candy heart from your crush this Valentine’s Day? If you answered yes, then this event is for you. The motto of the Jameson Co-Dependent Country Band is, “lying, cheating, drinking and loving it”, which makes them the perfect band to play at the Oskar Blues Anti-Valentine’s Day party at the Oskar Blues Lyons location. Grab your friends and celebrate your single status with this high energy band and some delicious Oskar Blues brews.

The post The Bolder Life: Be My Valentine appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Valentine’s Day is coming up. I know, I know—I’m not a fan of Cupid and his half-naked, chubby backside either, but this sugar-filled February holiday is kind of hard to avoid. Right this second, love birds from all over are finalizing their orders with the florist, confirming dinner reservations for two at expensive restaurants and trolling liquor store isles for the perfect bottle of bubbly.

To each their own.

But if you really want to get your sweetheart something special this year, consider showing your love by ordering some sweet treats from one of the three local specialty dessert companies below. Give the gift of a beautifully decorated, tasty treat made with love, for the ones you love. (Insert ridiculously corny ‘awww-ing’ sounds here).

Place your sweet treats orders today!

Piece Love and Chocolate
805 Pearl St. | Boulder | 303.449.4804
I’ve never really been much of a sweets person, but on the occasion that a sugar craving sneaks up on me, one dessert always comes to mind: A gluten-free, mouse-filled, vanilla cupcake from Piece, Love and Chocolate. I’ve been known to drive at least thirty minutes out of my way for a taste of this delicious cupcake. And let’s be real, who doesn’t like cupcakes. And since I lack a lot of self-control, I usually end up leaving this sweet-smelling chocolate shop with a bag filled with white chocolate truffles and other assorted desserts as well. To. Die. For. And right now Piece, Love and Chocolate’s display cases are filled with the colors of love and edible hearts. Fantastic place to find the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.

The Tasterie Truck
Mobile Food Truck | Boulder County | 303.550.6111
One of the best cupcakes that I’ve ever tried came from a food truck. Sometimes I dream about their melt-in-your-mouth pomegranate frosting and white cake cupcake. So yummy—and the Tasterie Truck is offering a special Valentine Day menu to help you find the perfect treat for the one you love. Pay $16/half-dozen or $28/dozen and choose from one of these heart-melting flavors: Strawberries and Champagne, Stuffed Triple Chocolate, Red Velvet and more! And this eatery on wheels also has the hook up on chocolate-covered strawberries…  So place your order today. And if you’re having trouble deciding which cupcakes to order, then follow the Tasterie Truck on Facebook and Twitter and sample their goodies at a BoCo location near you!

The Daily Cake
Web-Based | Longmont | 303.250.1752 or 303.946.3256
This up-and-coming, local cupcakery is quickly gaining fans by making craft beer a popular ingredient in their unique and tasty cupcakes. Try a Chocolate (Left Hand Brewing) Milk Stout Cake topped with a Salted Butter Cream, or create your own cupcake and craft beer infusion using one of the award-winning brews from Oskar Blues Brewery. Call or order online today to customize your own cupcake from their extensive list of flavors and frostings— or order a dozen of their specialty seasonal cupcakes! Either way, The Daily Cake is the one-stop-shop to find a Valentine’s gift for the craft beer lover and the sugar addict in your life!

The post The Bolder Life: Sweet Treats for Valentine’s Day appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

And so it begins. We had our first 60-degree temp reading in Boulder County last weekend, and you know what that means. Your social life is about to explode. Soon, restaurants will be opening up their patios. You’ll be buying your groceries at the Farmers’ Market (or Trader Joe’s, whichever comes first) in no time. Your weekends will be consumed by outdoor festivals and live music and your weekdays will be filled with happy hours and dinner dates.

You’re so excited.

I am too.

And the first week in February is a fantastic precursor to all of the warm weather event madness to come.

Check out these upcoming events through Friday of this week, and stay tuned for my next post solely dedicated to the awesomeness that is this Saturday. Get your calendars out, because you’re going to want to be sure that these events on there!

Wednesday, February 1^st
Hump Day at the Fish House | Jax Fish House | Boulder
Aside from the awkward name, this event sounds pretty spectacular. Dine on a tasting menu created especially for the evening by Jax’s head chef, Adam Watts, and enjoy happy hour prices at the bar all night. Voted ‘Best Seafood in Boulder County’ in 2011, this unique weekly menu will be sure to satisfy your appetite. ($35 per person).

Thursday, February 2^nd
Groundhog Day Luau and Pig Roast | The Lyons Fork | Lyons
Get your party on Punxsutawney style this Groundhog Day and celebrate the little critter and the beginning of spring with a luau and a pig roast at the Lyons Fork. Break out your lei and grass skirt, catch some live tunes by Joe Kukla, indulge in a few of the Fork’s sinful margaritas or sip on some craft beer from Maui Brewing Co.

Thursday, February 2^nd
Satellite Tap Room | West End Tavern | Boulder
The idea of the Satellite Tap Room is genius, and the West End Tavern in Boulder is the perfect host for an event like this. This month’s guest brewery that will be taking over the West End taps on Thursday night is none other than the top Colorado craft beer producer, New Belgium. The Fort Collins brewery will be bringing in twenty-two beers, including favorites such as Fat Tire and Sunshine Wheat, along with several specialty beers. Two New Belgium reps will be on hand to chat about the beer, and word on the street is that customers will have a chance to win one of the obnoxiously cool, red cruiser bikes.

Friday, February 3^rd
1^st Friday Art Walk | Old Town | Niwot
You drive by the tiny town of Niwot all of the time, but never take that turn and pull over to tour the quaint and inviting section of Old Town. Well, here’s your chance. Niwot is definitely a places that knows how to hold community events right. Every first Friday of the month, Old Town is packed with people wandering in out of the participating shops, snacking on refreshments, perusing local artwork and listening to live music. Take advantage of discounts offered by local stores along the way, and end your night with a glass of wine and dinner at Colterra.

Friday, February 3^rd
Hazel Miller | The Dicken’s Opera House | Longmont
This lady rocks. Seriously. Hazel Miller is known all over Colorado and the country for having a set of killer pipes and for putting on one hell-of-a show! If you’ve been waiting for a chance to put your dancing shoes on and hit the town—here’s your chance. This high energy blend of jazz, blues, pop and soul will have you on your feet all night!

The post The Bolder Life: And So it Begins appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

If you are like my older sister, then you came away with more than a couple of gift certificates and a food coma from the holidays. You also came away with a fiancé and the opportunity to flood your social media feeds with pictures of the perfect ring and individual thank you responses to all of the well wishes pouring in. (Congrats again, Brianne!)

So that’s cool. You’re engaged. And now that the holiday hype is officially a thing of the past,  it’s time for you to get serious about your future. There’s a good chance that you’ve already started planning. Which is great. Because the first thing that people are going to ask you once they finish fawning over your perfect ring and giving you a solid congratulatory hand-shake—is “how’s the planning going?” and “when’s the big day?” With so many people asking you such hard-hitting questions right off of the bat, it’s hard not to feel pressured to jump straight into the planning and start trying to sort out the perfect vision of you and your partner’s idea of wedding day bliss.

So instead of jumping feet first into a world of stress and panic, check out this upcoming, local bridal show in Boulder. Find some direction. Get some ideas. Taste some delicious food. You’ll be happy that you did. You might even find your perfect venue! Which, next to finding the perfect partner and the perfect dress, is pretty much the most exciting thing about planning your perfect wedding.

The 15^th Annual Boulder Wedding Showcase
Sunday, January 29^th | 11 am – 3 pm

Wedding showcases are hands down the best way to get a sense of exactly what type of wedding details fit your style. This popular Boulder Wedding Showcase will give you an idea of the different culinary and photography companies that you can book in Boulder County. Sample food, check out photographer’s portfolios, listen to some live jazz music, and possibly find your perfect venue. The showcase will be hosted by the Boulder Theater and Rembrandt Yard, and you’ll get a good look at the space and the chance to ask the experts any questions that you might have about either venue. Maybe the funky, historic Boulder Theater, with its giant full bar and unique decorations is the perfect venue for you. Or maybe you’re the artsy type. Incorporate a little hipster into your big day and book a venue with tons of windows, tons of light, beautiful and serene décor and local artwork covering the walls. Either way, follow this link and mark this Sunday in your special wedding planning calendar today!

The post The Bolder Life: Wedding Planning 101 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Everyone has a local watering hole.

A place where they can show up after not showering for two days—wearing stretchy pants, a holey t-shirt and muddy hiking boots. A place where the bartenders know your full name, drink order, birth date, and how many drinks you can handle before it’s time to switch you to water. It’s your favorite place.

Luckily for us Boulder County folks, our local watering holes are making their own drinks—literally. Our favorite hang outs are brewing up nationally acclaimed craft beers and award-winning wines—and serving them fresh from the source in their packed taprooms and tasting rooms, decorated with plenty of medals and awards to validate their successes.

But what if (heaven forbid), you’re not a beer drinker? And what if you’re kind of picky about wine?

Then I just found the perfect place for you.

The Boulder Distillery and Clear Spirit Company is still a rookie in the BoCo beverage scene, but their uniquely crafted gin, potato whiskey and potato vodkas are steamrolling their way into liquor stores and restaurants all over Colorado. I’m sure you’ve seen the “303” logo on the side of those refreshingly clear bottles filled with some of the most potent alcohol smells to ever make contact with your nostrils. You may have seen their products used in local mixology competitions. If you spent your New Year’s Eve at BMoCA, chances are you were sipping on a deliciously crisp, 303 Vodka and soda with a fresh squeeze of lime. But if you haven’t been to the 303 Tasting Room, then you have no idea the level of awesomeness that these guys are putting out.

Tucked at the back of one of the strangest business/industrial parks in Boulder, the Boulder Distillery finds itself in good company, with neighbors like the Green Guru and Boulder Ice Cream. In a building painted an interesting shade of Oscar the Grouch Green, a giant “303” logo designates the entrance to the quirky tasting room, filled with comfy couches, one TV for watching sports, a partition made of random doors, and a plethora of other odd knick-knacks decorating everything from the walls to the ceiling. In the summer, guests can take advantage of the make-shift outdoor patio the faces the Goose Creek Bike Path. On sunny days, the Distillery opens their huge garage door giving their indoor guests a taste of the beautiful weather. Dogs are welcome and the occasional food truck can be found parked outside.

At the bar, you’ll find a very knowledgeable mixologist, several infused vodkas and a list of popular drink recipes that you can choose from. The Boulder Creek martini is made with olive-infused vodka. The Pickletini is just the right amount of pickle-y—and the Vootbeer, topped with a healthy dollop of whipped cream, will hold up conversation as you savor the sweet tasting drink and try to the find the appropriate words to explain the deliciousness of the drink to your friends.

But at night, when I lay down to go to sleep, I dream of the Triple Berry. A crisp, smooth vodka infused with three different kinds of berries, a little bit of happiness and just the right amount of danger. Pick up a bottle of any of the infused vodkas during your visit, or purchase a regular bottle of vodka, whiskey or gin—if it happens to be in stock. With products as drinkable as the ones coming out of this local distillery, it’s no wonder they are consistently flying off the shelves.

The Boulder Distillery and Clear Spirit Company is located at 2500 47^th St., Suite 10 in Boulder, CO. Click here for Tasting Room Hours. Click here for a list of upcoming 303 Events. And click here for a list of tasty 303 Vodka recipes that you can make at home.

The post The Bolder Life: I Dream in Triple Berry appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

It’s probably been a pretty rough week for you. A lot of you had Monday off, which was cool, but put you behind at work for the rest of the week! Some of you braved the wind and the cold and hit the icy Boulder trails to participate in Winter Bike to Work Day yesterday. Everyone has been hard at work trying to figure out what SOPA and PIPA stand for, along with how exactly to get that “STOP SOPA” tag to run along the bottom of their Twitter avatar. But most importantly, most of you have been really hard at work betting on which 29^th St. Mall store Trader Joe’s will be taking over when they make their first appearance in Colorado.

Seriously. I get it. Hard week all around.

So take a load off tonight. You deserve it. Check out one of the events happening near you, and celebrate all of your hard work this week.

The Infamous String Dusters | Fox Theater – Boulder | 9 PM | $18
Any band that has the word ‘infamous’ in their name is probably worth checking out. This band has toured the country playing their unique blend of bluegrass—always making time for a trip to Boulder to cater to the enthusiastic bluegrass scene in the area. Tickets are only $18 and live music is a fantastic treat after a hard week.

Arts & Ales | Left Hand Brewing Tap Room | Longmont | 5-7 PM
Craft beer goes with just about everything, but has a special bond with art. Check out this monthly event at Left Hand’s buzzing tap room in collaboration with Longmont’s, Muse Gallery.  Rub elbows with local artists, chat about arty stuff, and sip on the much-buzzed-about Fade to Black Ale by the popular brewery.

Backcountry Film Festival | Neptune Mountaineering | Boulder | 8 PM | $10
Even though the snow isn’t falling outside today, you can still get your snow fix by checking out the winter-centric films being shown at the 2^nd Annual Backcountry Film Fest. Get together with like-minded backcountry enthusiasts, and “oh” and “ah” at the beautiful wintery scenes that have been a little scarce in Colorado this year.

Oskar Blues Beer Dinner @ Morning Glory Café | Lafayette | 6 PM | $25/person
In the craft beer world, ordering five beers will typically end up costing you well over $25. (The things we do for good beer). So imagine spending $25, and not only getting five beers from one of Colorado’s fastest growing breweries, but some delicious food to go along with it! If spending $50-$60 on a beer dinner is a little out of your budget, then this awesomely low-priced beer dinner is perfect for you! Make your reservations ASAP, and knock an additional $5 off of your bill by mentioning that you saw their saw their beer dinner post on Facebook!

Road to Winter X Games Aspen 2012 Grand Prize Giveaway | Avery Brewing |Boulder | 7-9 PM
Avery Brewing has been hyping locals up for this year’s Winter X Games in Aspen for the past few weeks now. Tonight, they are giving away the ultimate grand prize that includes: Two tickets to the Winter X Games Kick-Off Bash, 1-night stay for two at the St. Regis Hotel in Aspen, two cases of amazing beer for the room,  two lift tickets to Buttermilk Mountain, and two X Games Events Passes for Thursday, January 26^th. Whoa. All you have to do is visit the Avery Tap Room this evening, post up with a pint of delicious beer and wait for your chance to win this skier/snowboarders dream trip!

Date Night | Zolo Grill | Boulder | $50 per couple (tax & gratuity not included)
Yum. Comfort food and tequila could perhaps be the best way to reward yourself for a tough work week. Stop by Zolo Grill for dinner tonight, and dine on a seasonal two-course dinner paired with drinks for just $50 per couple. Just remember, you still have one day left in the work week… and although tequila does pair well with Zolo’s mouth-watering menu—it does not pair well with a 6 am wake-up call the next morning.

The post The Bolder Life: It’s All About Tonight! appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Boulder County’s buzz-worthy craft beer culture, and highly respected restaurant scene are constantly appearing in headlines all over the nation.  With a string of new awards settling in in our neighborhood breweries and dining rooms every month, it’s no wonder that food and beer connoisseurs travel from all over to visit our favorite local hangouts each year.

Thankfully for us local folk, we’re always on hand when our favorite food and beverage locations pair up to throw some ridiculously good, mouth-watering meals complimented by some of the best craft beer and wine in the nation!

I’ve always been a huge sucker when it comes to a good Beer/Wine Dinner. Putting your dining experience in the hands of creative chefs and noshing your way through a five-course meal paired with your favorite alcoholic beverage is a fantastic way to spend an evening.

Check out this list of upcoming local beer/wine events and be sure to make reservations. You’ll be so happy you did.

Tuesday, January 17^th
Supper Club
Pizzeria Locale | Boulder | 6:30 pm
Price: $59 (tax and gratuity included)
The creative minds of the Culinary Connectors bring you the latest installment of the Tuesday evening, Boulder “Supper Club” hosted by one of Boulder’s favorite pizzerias! Pizzeria Locale is one of Pearl Street’s most popular restaurants, and $59 is an absolute steal for the opportunity to dine on some delicious cuisine and sip on some exceptional wines. (Note that tax and gratuity are included in the price per person, which means that this deal is definitely not one to be missed!)

Wednesday, January 18^th
Our Favorite Things Beer Dinner
Lucky Pie | Louisville | 6:30 pm
Price: $50 (tax and gratuity not included)
I love Lucky Pie. This craft beer/foodie gem is located in the heart of Old Town Louisville and is one of my favorite local spots to stop in for a pint and a bite. This popular Tap House has thrown some killer beer dinners in the past, but the staff is running the show this time around, and sharing some of their “favorite things” in this mid-week beer dinner. Enjoy five of the staff’s favorite beer picks paired with a menu that will make you drool.

Thursday, January 19^th
Piedmont Wine Dinner
Colterra | Niwot | 6:30 pm
Price: $65 (tax and gratuity not included)
I’ve found myself finding excuses to visit the tiny town of Niwot lately, just so that I can end up in the delicious-smelling dining room at Salt the Bistro’s sister restaurant, Colterra. I can still taste the melt-in-your mouth gnocchi that I sampled at my last visit. Make your reservation for next Thursday’s collaborative dinner and sample wines from the Piedmont region paired with a mouth-watering menu from the creative culinary minds of Colterra’s chefs.

Thursday, January 19^th
CAN CAN Girls Kick-Off Beer Dinner
Oskar Blues Homemade Liquids & Solids | Longmont | 6:00 pm
Price: $50 (tax and gratuity included)
This event might be at the top of my wish list. Not only is Oskar Blues a powerhouse in the local brewery scene, but the OB kitchen is constantly receiving rave reviews as well. With a five-course menu paired with five OB beers, this dinner is a steal at $50—including tax and gratuity! If the amazing menu, live music, raffle prizes and low price for this event isn’t enough to make you rush out and buy your ticket today—then maybe the fact that a huge chunk of the proceeds for the event will be donated to breast cancer research, will. Do the right thing. Make a reservation today. I’ll see you there.

Thursday, January 19^th
Andrew Rich Winemaker Dinner
Terroir Restaurant | Longmont | 6:30 pm
Price: $55 (tax and gratuity not included)
Terroir hit the Boulder County restaurant scene hard when it opened in 2007, and it’s been providing local patrons a top-notch selection of beer and wine to wash down their New-American style cuisine ever since. Next week, Terroir will be hosting Andrew Rich of Andrew Rich Wines, and pairing his deliciously smashed and aged grapes with menu items such as: organic salmon, beef tenderloin, and potato ravioli. Don’t miss this dinner and the opportunity to get a little taste of downtown Longmont’s restaurant scene.

Thursday, January 26^th
Wine & Food Pairing Featuring Erik Skokan of Black Cat Bistro
Bookcliff Vineyards | Boulder | 6:00 pm
Price: $65 (tax and gratuity not included)
I took a mini-wine tour of Boulder County wineries last summer, and spent the majority of the day touring, sampling, buying bottles, and learning about wine at Bookcliff Vineyards. This Boulder winery is offering a series of wine and food pairings featuring a menu prepared by local chef’s to go along with Bookcliff’s selection of award winning wines. Chef Erik Skokan of the Black Cat Farm Bistro will be serving up a five-course dinner at the winery at the end of January. Do not—I repeat, do not miss this dinner. I’m sure you’ll be

The post The Bolder Life: Perfect Pairings appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

There’s a little something for everyone in this week’s The Bolder Life! Whether you’re catching amazing dinner deals at popular local restaurants, busting out your best 80’s dance moves, or downing a bowl of oatmeal followed by running a chilly 5K—you’ll be sure to find something to keep you entertained all week long!

Monday, January 9^th
Monday Night First Bite | Arugula Bar e Ristorante | 2785 Iris Ave. | Boulder
Arugula is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in Boulder. From the rustic décor, to the old-school style dinner service to the amazing selection of hand-crafted cocktails and mouth-watering dishes, Arugula definitely plays a part in helping Boulder maintain its foodie status. Every Monday night, Arugula offers a menu and pricing based off of the week-long “First Bite Boulder” menus and pricing offered in the fall. Dine on a 3-course meal for only $26 per person, every Monday night. (Don’t miss out on this deal! You’ll definitely thank me for it!)

Tuesday, January 10^th
BMoCA Scavenger Hunt | BMoCA | 1750 13^th St. | Boulder
Need some daytime activities to keep you or your half-pints occupied this week? Check out BMoCA’s “Scavenger Hunt”, and scour the museum and Downtown Boulder for clues for a chance to win prizes from local businesses. BMoCA is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesday – Friday. Request a special “Just for Kids” map for the little ones, and start your hunt today!

Wednesday, January 11^th
80’s Dance Party | Nissi’s | 2675 N. Park Dr. | Lafayette
I love the 80’s—well, at least the five years that I actually spent in them. Whether you were rocking pacifiers or mohawks in the 80’s, check out the 80’s Dance Party happening at Nissi’s on Wednesday night. Break out your neon-colored wardrobe, stock up on eye shadow and leggings and hit the dance floor to a remix of your favorite 80’s songs brought to you by popular 80’s cover band, Kelli Said. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.

Thursday, January 12^th
Art Opening | Open Arts @ Rembrandt Yard | 1301 Spruce St. | Boulder
Most people like a good art opening, but everyone likes a good free art opening! Stop by Rembrandt Yard and view exceptional new artwork by Pam Simich, Astrid Paustin and Calvin Whitehall. Make a trip over to nearby Shine Restaurant, Pearl Street’s newest dining addition, and get a taste of what everyone is buzzing about!

Friday, January 13^th
3^rd Annual Winter Festival | Stanley Fairgrounds | 1209 Manford Ave. | Estes Park
Three days of: Irish Barn Dances, free hot cocoa, star gazing, live music, Colorado beer and wine tastings, ice carving, snowshoe lessons and a sample yummy entries to the chili cook-off. Seriously—tell me that doesn’t sound like a good time? And there’s more—this event is super friendly on your wallet. $5 gets you into the festival and all-you-can-taste chili and $25 gets you festival entry plus all-you-can-taste beer and wine complimented by a decorative tasting glass for you take home as a souvenir of your very first trip to the Winter Festival! Click here for a full festival schedule.

Saturday, January 14^th
16^th Annual Quaker Oatmeal Festival and 5K Run | Lafayette
Were your New Year’s resolutions to sign up for a 5K and eat more oatmeal? Yes? Awesome. This event is perfect for you. Start the morning with an oatmeal breakfast at Pioneer Elementary School, make a stop at the Health Fair, run/walk a 5K, and finish your day with an oatmeal baking contest followed by a trip to the Bonfils Community Blood Drive to give some blood and get some good karma.

Sunday, January 15^th
Split Lip Rayfield | The Fox Theater | 1135 13^th St. | Boulder
Finish out your event-filled week with some live music courtesy of Split Lip Rayfield and the Fox Theater. This band boasts a rhythmic blend of bluegrass, country and metal. (Yep, I said metal). Tickets for this unique and popular blend are only $10, so finish your week off right with some rockin’ live music and a few bucks left in your pocket.

The post The Bolder Life: Something for Everyone appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

It’s Friday! Friday is everyone’s favorite weekday day of the week—and why shouldn’t it be? You all worked hard this week. You bravely suffered through the first work-week back from your hangover of a holiday vacation. You’ve officially fully digested all of the holiday food, booze and regret that comes along with this time of the year. I’m proud of you. You deserve a weekend filled with snow, relaxation and rock.

Yep. I said rock—and I don’t know too many bands that rock harder than the bands making music at The School of Rock in Boulder.

This “afterschool” school offers music lessons for kids from second grade through high school, and it’s not just music lessons that are being offered here. The School of Rock is a great, safe place to send your kids as part of an extra-curricular, afterschool program where they can learn different instruments and meet new friends with similar interests and the same Green Day poster hanging up on their bedroom wall. Instructors at this rockin’ school teach their students how to play everything from the guitar, to the keyboard, to the drums along with getting their vocals in top shape, learning the art of the headbang and how to rile up their adoring fans, (a.k.a. – their adoring parents).

There really isn’t anything cooler than being in a band in your teenage years—except being in a band in your teenage years and playing live gigs at local bars and clubs.  Now that’s cool. But playing huge venues that have played host to some of your favorite bands and idols in the past is kind of the ultimate awesome if you’re a teenager playing live gigs with your awesome band.

So, that being said, you know the kids performing in The Boulder School of Rock Drum Wars at the Fox Theater this Saturday are going to bring it. Imagine watching a ten-year-old rock a drum solo harder than Tommy Lee and Travis Barker combined. Now that’s the ultimate awesome!

Support local youth programs and make these kids feel like Rock Stars by buying a ticket and checking out the show at 12:30 pm on Saturday afternoon.

And if one live show on Saturday isn’t enough for you, then stick around for local musician, Pete Kartsounes and his band at 9 o’clock. Finish off your evening with a trip to nearby restaurant, Café Aion for some tapas and libations and try to make it home at a decent hour. You’ll want to hit road early if you’re going to catch some of the fresh powder expected to fall this weekend.

Rock on, BoCo, Rock on.

The post The Bolder Life: School of Rock appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.”
-Unknown

It’s so true. Music really does make the world go ‘round. Whether I’m reminiscing to my over-played Counting Crows Pandora station at work, belting out country drinkin’ songs in the car or foot-stomping along with a live bluegrass band or one of the many local blues/funk groups—I pretty much live my life in stereo. Which is why I’m so jazzed (see what I did there?) for the line-up of live music around Boulder County this week. A mix of some of the most popular bands to come out of Colorado and some of the most popular bands to play in Colorado are booked and ready to put on a hot, local show near you.

Check out this local line-up, mark these shows on your calendars and pick up your tickets now!

Yonder Mountain String Band
The Boulder Theater | Wednesday, December 28 | $35 | 9 PM
Colorado loves Yonder Mountain String Band. These Nederland, CO natives have been selling out shows all around the nation, but are coming home to play The Boulder Theater for five nights this week, including a jammin’ show on New Year’s Eve. The Thursday-Saturday shows are completely sold-out; however, tickets are still available for Wednesday night. If you love bluegrass and haven’t seen these guys live—what are you waiting for?! Tickets are only $35. Get to the Boulder Theater website and buy your tickets now!

Singer Songwriter Night
Oskar Blues Liquids & Solids | Wednesday, December 28 | Free | 7-10 PM
This Longmont-based open mic night is one of the best in Boulder County. Hosted to by three talented Oskar Blues employees on the last Wednesday of ever month, this event draws in a variety of singers, songwriters and musicians from all over BoCo. Grab some OB grub and delicious microbrew and check out some great local performers.

Elephant Revival
The Stage Stop | Thursday, December 29 | $20 | Doors at 7:30 PM – Show Starts at 8:30 PM
Residents of Boulder County love this band almost as much as they love staying in shape. The Colorado-based, Indie Acoustic band will be playing the Stage Stop’s final event of the season. This show will be packed. And awesome. Purchase your tickets now and guarantee yourself a front row seat for some home-grown live music.

She Grooves
Nissi’s | Friday, December 30 | $8 advance/$10 door | 7:30-11 PM
She Grooves rocks. There’s no doubt about it. This all-female band usually brings the house down every time they play. If you’re looking for a high-energy show, this is it.  This R&B/Dance group is playing Nissi’s “New Year’s Eve Eve” show on Friday and is a great band to get you revived up and excited the following nights NYE shenanigans.

G. Love & Special Sauce
Fox Theater | Saturday, December 31 | $69.50 | 9:30 PM
Even though this band doesn’t hail from the 303 area code, they’ve played in Colorado so many times they’re basically honorary Coloradans. NYE tickets are still available for this popular blues band. And really—what better way to welcome the New Year? Good tunes, good friends, and a full bar. Buy your tickets, like now. Like 5 minutes ago. And make sure you get into this show.

The post The Bolder Life: Must-See Music appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

You’re no Nancy Kerrigan. It’s okay, neither am I. But every once in a while I still like to bust out my pretty white ice skates and pretend I am. The outcome usually involves a lot of Tylenol, icing and band-aids, but that’s all part of the fun!

The Boulder County/North Denver Metro region happens to be home to a lot of different ice skating rinks on which you can practice your axel jumps and your camel spins. (I might have googled “ice skating terms” for this post…)

Grab some cocoa, some string to tie padded pillows around your butt and elbows, and check out these local ice skating rinks.

P.S.- Did you know that you can burn over 300 calories in one hour of ice skating? I’m just saying. Great workout. Fun winter sport. Great place to take the kids and still friendly on your wallet.

Check it out.

Lyons Meadow Park Ice Rink
Meadow Park in Lyons | Open Daily
Tucked into the beautiful Lyons scenery, this rink is a great place to spend a weekend afternoon. No admission fee and skate rentals on-site.
Skate Rental Fee: Resident- $5 | Non-resident – $6

Ice Centre @ The Promenade
The Promenade Westminster |Click Here for a Schedule of Public Sessions
Skate for just an hour at this rink and you won’t feel so guilty about indulging at one of the many restaurants located in the Promenade. Although this rink isn’t open to the public all day, they do offer skating for the public, and cheap skates sessions throughout the week. Visit the rink from 2-4 p.m. on December 23^rd, and you’ll be skating with Santa himself. (Now that sounds interesting!)
Admission: Resident – $4 | Non-Resident – $5 | Kids 4 & Younger – Free
Skate Rental Fee: $3

Longmont Ice Pavilion
Roosevelt Park in Longmont | Click Here for a Schedule of Public Sessions
The Ice Pavilion in Roosevelt Park is huge. Perfect for showing off some tricks if you got ‘em. And if you visit this rink at night, you’ll get to see the beautiful Christmas lights that decorate the surrounding park.
Admission for Residents: Ages 2-5 – $4.50 | Ages 6-17 – $5 | Ages 18+ – $5.50
Admission for Non-Residents: Ages 2-5 – $5.50 | Ages 6-17 – $6 | Ages 18+ – $6.50
Skate Rental Fee: $3

Winter Skate by Boulder Creek Productions
Pricing for All Winter Skate locations:
Admissions: Ages 12+ – $5 | Ages 4-12 – $4 |Ages 3 & Under – Free
Skate Rental Fee: $3

Winter Skate – Louisville
Steinbaugh Pavilion in Old Town Louisville | Open Daily
Old Town Louisville brings the small-town charm with their ice rink, located in Old Town Louisville. With concessions, holiday music, free horse-drawn carriage rides, and free parking. This is the perfect place to take a date… but only if you’ve got the basics in skating covered. No one looks good when they fall down on the ice!
Click Here for Winter Skate Louisville Hours.

Winter Skate – Broomfield
Flatiron Crossing Mall | Open Daily
This location is a great location to bring the entire family. With so many restaurants located in the mall, it should be easy to find one that the whole family can agree on. Plus, it’s a great way to distract the kids while one of you sneaks off to finish the Christmas shopping.
Click Here for Winter Skate Broomfield Hours.

Winter Skate – Boulder
Twenty-Ninth St. Mall | Open Daily
This year marks the first year that the Twenty-Ninth Street Mall plays host to Winter Skate. Take in the beautiful decorations and lights on the mall this time of year and get your winter skate on.
Click Here for Winter Skate Boulder Hours.

The post The Bolder Life: Triple Salchow Style appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Wow. Where does the time go? Here we are, knee-deep in December, so focused on buying presents for and making plans with our loved ones that we completely spaced that New Year’s Eve is just around the corner.

Everyone has their own idea of “the perfect New Year’s Eve”. For some, the cliché kiss at midnight is key. For others, a steady stream of cocktails and champagne is the main attraction; and for most, the chance to bust out that Little Black Dress or polished suit and don a selection of sparkly party favors while breaking it down on the dance floor all night is the only way to welcome another year.

So whether you’re looking for live music, an open bar or to dress up in your best party outfit and dine on decadent desserts all evening, there’s a little something for everyone in this week’s The Bolder Life.

Cheers to you all for surviving another year, best health & wealth wishes to you, and best of luck with those hard-to-keep resolutions!

And as always, remember to make reservations!

It’s so last year to buy tickets the day of…

Absinthe House | Intrigue New Year’s Eve Party
$55 Cover Charge | Includes an Open Bar All Night | Multiple DJ’s & Party Favors

The Kitchen | New Year’s Eve Special Celebratory Seasonal Prix Fixe Dinner
$85 Per Person | $120 Per Person with the Addition of a Wine Pairing | 5-Course Prix Fixe Menu

The Kitchen [Next Door] | NYE DJ Dance Party
$10 Cover | Cover Charge Includes 1 Drink | Special Menu Offered ‘til Midnight for and Addition Price

Bacaro Venetian Tavern | NUDE NYE
$10 Cover | DJ Music | Champagne Toast | Libations by NUDE Vodka & Dinner Menu by Bacaro Available for Additional Charge

**Click Here for a Complete List of Downtown Boulder’s NYE Events

Oskar Blues Homemade Liquids & Solids
$ Cover Charge TBD | Live Music | Optional NYE Dinner + Show + Marriott Hotel Room Discounts | Stay Tuned to http://www.oskarblues.com/ for details

Louisville

Waterloo | Fully Belly NYE Extravaganza
No cover charge | Live Music by Fully Belly | Drink Specials | Champagne Toast | Party Favors

The post The Bolder Life: A Rockin’ New Year’s Eve appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

As I kid—well, like every other kid in America, I believed in Santa. Up until my older sister maliciously spilled the beans about the true identity of Santa Claus, I spent every December, and most of October and November counting down the days until the fat man in red would visit our house with his giant red bag full of presents and candy canes in tow. 

One of my favorite pre-Christmas traditions was started by my mom as an easy and relatively safe  project that was guaranteed to entertain me and my sister’s long enough for my mom to hide our Christmas presents throughout the house. She would lay out stacks of red and green construction paper, a few pairs of those ridiculously-hard-to-actually-cut-anything-with child-proof scissors and a few rolls of scotch tape and let us go to town. My sister’s and I would carefully cut, loop and tape 25 red and green rings together and hang our “countdown to Christmas” chains all around the house.

Each morning, the number of rings got smaller until only one remained. For a kid, there’s nothing  more exciting than watching that chain get smaller.

As an adult, it’s no longer cool to count down the days until Christmas by creating a craft project that you would find in a preschool classroom. Thankfully, the folks at Lucky Pie Pizza and Taphouse in Louisville came up with a great way for adults to keep their childhood tradition alive and keep the countdown to Christmas fun!

Starting tomorrow, Lucky Pie kicks off “12 Beers of Christmas” by tapping a new holiday seasonal beer each day for the next twelve days. Five of those days will include a special tapping of the highlighted beer complete with an appearance by someone from the specific brewery who will be on hand to chat about their holiday seasonal and hand out some swag.

Christmas craft beer and swag presents = Awesome.

Check out the “12 Beers of Christmas” calendar below and enjoy your grown up countdown to Christmas!

Dec. 12 – SPECIAL TAPPING 7-9 Breckenridge Brewery’s Christmas Ale
Dec. 13 – Skip day, Lucky Pie will be closed at 5:30 for a private event.
Dec. 14 – Brouwerij Huyghe’s Delirium Noel
Dec. 15 – SPECIAL TAPPING 7-9 Great Divide’s Hibernation
Dec. 16 – Brouwerij Het Anker’s Gouden Carolus Noel
Dec. 17 – Full Sail’s Wassail
Dec. 18 – SPECIAL TAPPING 7-9 Avery’s Old Jubilation
Dec. 19 – SPECIAL TAPPING 7-9 Upslope’s Christmas Ale
Dec. 20 – He’Brew’s Jewbelation 15
Dec. 21 – SPECIAL TAPPING 7-9 Bristol Brewing’s Christmas Ale
Dec. 22 – Anderson Valley’s Winter Solstice
Dec. 23 – Brewery Ommegang’s Adoration
Dec. 24 – Rouge’s Santa’s Private Reserve

The post The Bolder Life: The 12 Days of Christmas appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Let’s be real—aside from the typical requests of “spending time with family”, “world peace”, and in some cases, “my two front teeth”, all anyone really wants for Christmas is to make it through the holidays with at least a shred of their sanity still intact.

The holidays can be super stressful. There’s a lot of potential to totally screw everything up—which, knowing that alone, is enough to keep you stressed for weeks.

You could completely destroy your family’s traditional Christmas dinner. You could spend weeks searching for the perfect gift for your sister, only to get it back in different wrapping paper as your next birthday present. You could offend the in-laws and you could blow Santa’s cover in front of all of the little rosy-cheeked half-pints in your family, ruining Christmas for them forever.

Seriously. This stuff happens.

So in an effort to stay as relaxed as possible, and keep the highest level of sanity during this stressful time, I’m going to share my stress-free holiday tips with you. I hope they help.

And as a contingency plan, it might be best to scout out which one of your neighborhood bars will be open on Christmas Day—in case all of the scenarios mentioned above actually do happen…

1.)    Acupuncture

Most people that know me know that I’m pretty much deathly afraid of needles. Big ones, small ones, sometimes I don’t even like the pointy ends of tweezers because they remind me of needles. So when I was recommended acupuncture as a way to help de-stress, I was super skeptical. I might have cried a little. Fortunately for me, I was put into some pretty good hands, and those itsy needles don’t scare me at all anymore! And, my wonderful acupuncturist offers a sliding scale payment option. So the potential damage to your already over-used wallet is super minimal.Check out Boulder Community Acupuncture in North Boulder. They’ll help you de-stress in your not-so-finest hours and make all of your relatives and houseguests super jealous at how calm and composed you are.

 2.)    Get outside

Seriously. Nothing takes away stress like a little fresh air and a nice walk/hike/bike ride/some snowshoeing or shredding a little gnar in the mountains. I’m not going to lie to you though—it’s going to be cold. So to make this tip an effective stress-relieving endeavor, be sure to throw on some layers, don’t forget the gloves and spend a blissful hour outside… not thinking about the things that you’ve already screwed up, or could possibly screw up this holiday season. Check out this map to find a trail near you.

3.)    Retail Therapy

You’ve already bought presents for your parents, your siblings, your co-workers, you great uncle, your teacher from the fifth grade and the girl whose name you can never remember that lives next door. It’s time to take a mini break from shopping for others and spend a little money on yourself. In order to keep this tip stress-free on your conscious, be sure to shop locally. You’ll be doing your city and the economy a giant favor– and doing the right thing makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. 

 4.)    Don’t Turn on the Radio

Trust me. You’ll thank me for this one. The second you turn on the radio, some joyful Christmas song will start streaming through the speakers and you’re going to lose it. You’re going to snap. You’re going to throw the burnt mashed potatoes that you made for Christmas dinner all over the kitchen and you’re going to start tearing ornaments and lights off the beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Keep yourself sane right up until the end of the holidays by listening to your iPod and those antique music discs called CD’s. If by mistake, you do turn the radio on, turn it to a rap station immediately. Rappers are too busy rapping about bling bling and weapons and stuff to make up any Christmas rhymes.

Good luck out there, Everyone!

The post The Bolder Life: All I Want for Christmas appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

‘Tis the season for—what else—company holiday parties.

Time to spend a few unpaid hours with your co-workers. Time to drink martinis and cocktails on your boss’s tab and fill up your Facebook page with incriminating photos of your cubicle neighbors. And most of all, it’s time to build moral. Time for the boss to give an exceptionally captivating speech that will motive staff members for one more year and time for the staff to share their well thought out business models that typically involve an increase in their personal salary.

The best holiday parties involve events that shouldn’t be talked about at the water cooler, but usually end up being shared with everyone from the postal worker that delivers the mail on Monday, to your boss’s sister who heard from her sister-in-law about the office party shenanigans.

So whether you are the boss, or you got stuck planning the holiday party this year– check out the venues below. You’ll be sure to be a hit. Your co-workers will probably feel the need to buy you drinks all night and will only say good things about you at the water cooler come Monday.

Lucky Pie Pizza | 637 Front St. | Louisville
Contact: Tony Firestone | 3.666.5743 | tony@luckypiepizza.com
Event Space: Seating for up to 30 people in a semi-private lounge space
Venue Rental Fee: No rental fee, however, there is a food and beverage minimum
If your office is on the smaller side, then you should definitely check out this venue. Lucky Pie is popular restaurant located in Old Town Louisville with a stellar menu filled with hand-crafted brick oven pizzas along with plenty of other delicious offerings. Lucky Pie also boasts one of the best craft beer line-ups locally, and is the perfect place to take your crew for a good time.

Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art | 1750 13th St. | Boulder
Contact: Laura Post | 3.443.2122 ext. 14 | laura@bmoca.org
Event Space: A private upstairs holds up to 150 and the entire venue holds 300 people
Venue Rental Fee: $800-$2,500 (depending on event details)
This venue is perfect for a larger office full of creative folks that dig the Pearl St. scene. This open space is ideal to set up round guest tables for a seated dinner or high top cab tables to enjoy an cocktails and hors d’oeurves at. Three Leaf Concepts, (the creators of popular Boulder restaurants such as: The Dunshanbe Teahouse, Aji and Leaf),  has exclusive catering rights on the edgy art gallery, so you know the food will be delicious.

The West End Tavern | 926 Pearl St. | Boulder
Contact: Kristin Schuette | events@thewestendtavern.com
Event Space: Private upstairs with a seating for 50 people
Venue Rental Fee: No rental fee, however, there is a food and beverage minimum
If your co-workers are always talking about the last home brew they made, and which microbrewery they visited over the weekend, then this venue is for you. With over 22 of the most popular/best craft brews that are available locally, the West End’s private bar upstairs will be packed with your co-workers all night. Get a taste of Boulder and the best of Boulder’s brewery scene in the private upstairs section of one of the Big Red F’s most popular restaurants.

Nissis | 2675 North Park Dr. | Lafayette
Contact: Marc Gitlin | 3.665.2757 | marc@nissis.com
Event Space: Can accommodate any size group with private space for 200 people
Venue Rental Fee: As small as cover for live music, as large as a fee for the entire venue rental
Employees want to have fun at their company holiday party, and what’s more fun than getting dressed up, catching some live music and dining on some a delicious a delicious menu full of every entrée item you’d want at your holiday party. And—Nissi’s has already done all of the hard work for you. Check out their selection of pre-made event packages here with pricing, details and all of the info that you need to make your holiday party the talk of the office park.

Left Hand Brewing | 1265 Boston Ave. | Longmont
Contact: 3.772.0258  ext. 110
Event Space: see pictures here
If you work in the Longmont area, chances are that your co-workers head over the Left Hand Brewing Tap Room after a long day at work. So what better place to get everybody together, share a beer, eat some grub and celebrate making it through another year together. Brewery tours available by request.

The post The Bolder Life: ‘Tis the Season appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Thanksgiving is a thing of the past, which naturally means it’s time to focus on the next holiday. Time to put up Christmas lights, buy marshmallows for hot cocoa and battle the masses in your local shopping mall to find the perfect gifts for all of the loved ones in your life.

Christmas.

If done right, Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. Family, friends, food… I’m evening planning on getting a tree this year. With ornaments.  Maybe even some fake snow.

 I’m ready for Christmas. And nothing gets me in the Christmas mode more than a good ol’ annual Holiday parade. Who doesn’t love getting bundled up, seeing some ridiculously awesome holiday floats, (which are typically full of people throwing candy), judging if the parade Santa’s beard is real or fake and listening to some not-so-terrible renditions of your favorite holiday songs.

‘Tis the weekend for the holiday parades to commence. Check out the following parades in a city near you– and remember to not forget your gloves, the lid to the hot cocoa thermos or your kids. Forgetting those important items will definitely put a little damper on your holiday spirit.  

“Parade of Lights”
Friday, December 2^nd | 7:00 pm | 901 Main St. | Louisville
The best part of this event could very well be the Living Nativity Scene happening an hour before the 7:00 pm parade start. Live animals and a live choir will be present to get attendees in the spirit. The parade route runs along Main St, which happens to be my favorite street in Louisville. Stop in at nearby Lucky Pie for a pint and some delicious pizza before you head out to watch the parade festivities.

“Lights of December Parade”
Saturday, December 3^rd | 6 pm | Pearl St. Mall| Boulder
Boulder’s, “Lights of December Parade” is in its 24^th year, so you know it’s going to be good. Post up along the historic Pearl St. Mall and watch as over 50 festive floats, fire trucks, the Farview and Boulder High School marching bands and even St. Nick parade along Broadway, spreading holiday joy throughout the crowd.

“Parade of Lights”
Saturday, December 3^rd | 6:30 pm | Main St. | Lyons
This parade of lights is by far my favorite local holiday parade. Sure I might be a little bias due to my Lyons upbringing, but any December parade that ends with fireworks is alright with me! Check out live music in Sandstone Park before the parade, and join parade-goers as they take over Main St. to watch the finale fireworks show.

“Longmont Lights”
Friday & Saturday, December 9^th & 10^th | 5-8 pm | Longmont
Longmont is throwing the mac-daddy of holiday kick-off celebrations this year, by throwing a holiday party that’s so big, two days are needed to make it all happen! Start off by checking out the stunning lights in Roosevelt Park along with free hot cocoa, reindeer visits (real ones, no joke), trolley rides, carolers and ice carving. That’s some serious holiday business. Then check out the “Lights on Parade” at 5 pm on Saturday night, followed by a fireworks display at 6:30 pm. Longmont doesn’t mess around when it comes to the holiday spirit!

The post The Bolder Life: Parading Lights appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

It’s officially the holiday season. As some of you are reading this, you’re probably already entertaining out of town in-laws and possibly some ex out-laws all while reading and testing recipes in hopes of not being the one that screws up the family’s traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Thanksgiving is hard work—for everyone. Whether you’re the one responsible for making enough edible food for the entire family, or you’re the smallest of the half-pints at the kids table with the biggest tummy ache from eating too much, Turkey Day definitely is not a piece of cake… or pie.

So why not eat out this year? Dining out on Thanksgiving is no longer reserved for cooking-impaired single parents or out-of-towners unable to make the trip home for the holidays. Dining out on Thanksgiving has become a trendy new tradition and several of Boulder County’s best dining establishments will be opening their doors this year and serving their take on a delicious, traditional Thanksgiving feast.

Check out this list of local restaurants serving turkey to the masses this week—and as I always say… make reservations! Trust me—your family will eventually forgive you if you burn a turkey, make inedible mashed potatoes and forget to buy booze for the meal, but they will not forgive you if they get stuck eating bags of chips and soda from the only convenience store still open on Thanksgiving day.

Peaceful Valley Ranch
475 Peaceful Valley Road | Lyons | 1-800-95-LODGE
Take the family to the mountains this year and dine on a traditional Thanksgiving dinner buffet at the scenic Peaceful Valley Ranch. Rent snowshoes, cross-country skis, or take a hike around the property grounds before or after your meal to help burn off that second piece of pumpkin pie while spending some quality time in the outdoors with the family.
Served buffet style from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
$24.95 Ages 13-54
$18.95 Ages 55 and older
$12.95 Ages 4-12 and Ages 3 and Under Eat Free

The St. Julien Hotel
900 Walnut St. | Boulder | 720-406-7399
Whether your family is the breakfast, brunch of dinner type on Thanksgiving, the St. Julien will have a meal ready for you. Early birds can catch breakfast from 6:30-9:30 a.m. The brunch type will dine from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., and the dinner folk can get together from 5:30 – 10 p.m. Enjoy live piano music by Ralph Sharon throughout the day, and be sure to bring your family and friends to listen to one of my personal favorite local musicians, George Nelson, at 6:30 p.m.  
Breakfast and Brunch served buffet style and choose your own three-course meal for dinner.
Breakfast and Brunch: $44.95/adult | $19.95/kids
Dinner: $49.95/adult | $19.95/kids

Colterra
210 Franklin St. | Niwot | 303-652-0777
Colterra’s dining room has all the same intimate charm as your own dining room and is the perfect place to take your out of town friends and family to sample some of Colorado’s locally grown food. Invite your guests to choose their own three-course menus from Colterra’s Thanksgiving inspired special menu and enjoy wine from Colterra’s extensive wine list.
Three-course menu: $45.00/adult
                                          $22.50/children 12 & under  
 

Black Cat: Farm-to-Table Bistro
1964 13^th St | Boulder | 303-444-5500
Join Black Cat for Thanksgiving this year with a thoughtful and tasty way to not only celebrate the holiday, but to help support your community as well. The owners of the Black Cat are opening their doors for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner where guests are invited to pay what they can for their meal or leave a little extra to help someone less fortunate. All proceeds from this special meal will be donated to Community Food Share.

The post The Bolder Life: Thanksgiving on the Town appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

According to the 2011 Boulder County Trends Report from the Community Foundation Serving Boulder County, an estimated 42,000 of BoCo’s nearly 300,000 residents are living below the poverty line—and the financial crisis affecting the people that make up that statistic is never more apparent than during the holiday season.

With so much going on during this time of year, it’s really easy to forget about the true meaning of the holidays. The holiday season is about family and community—and remembering that there are less fortunate people in your very own city, just struggling to get by.

But the good news is—you can help. And help can come in so many different ways. Whether it’s donating your time, money, food, clothing, toys, bicycles and/or gifts—there are so many different opportunities to help.

 And with the help of the Volunteer Connection—I’ve made it incredibly easy for you to find the best way for you to offer your help for the holidays that is friendly on your own budget and schedule and incredibly appreciated by those 42,000 Boulder County residents that are in need of your help.

So start a new tradition. Get your family involved. Open your wallets and your hearts.

And have a wonderful holiday season.

Donate Your Time

• Attention Homes – Thanksgiving Dinner | November 24 |10 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Boulder
Help out by preparing a Thanksgiving dish and delivering it to the Attention Homes safe shelter for at-risk youth and teens —or volunteer your time and help cook, set up, serve, decorate or clean up on-site.

• OUR Center Holiday Food Basket Helpers | Weekday Mornings/Afternoons | Longmont
Help the OUR Center put together special holiday food bags for families and residents in the area in need of a meal.

• Gift Wrapping | Golden West Senior Center | Boulder
Become a pro a gift wrapping as you help members of the Golden West Senior Center wrap presents for their loved ones. Click here for a list of dates and times that volunteers are needed.

• Holiday Food Basket Program | EFAA | Weekdays from December 12 – 23 | Boulder
Help EFAA provide local families with all of the fixings for a holiday meal this year by helping: pack bags, deliver to homes and lead volunteer groups.

 Toys, Bikes, Books & Gift Donations

• Holiday Bike Program | Bicycle Longmont | Year Round | Longmont

Remember waking up on Christmas day to a bicycle from Santa and his elves? Help give that experience to a Boulder County child by donating to the Bicycle Longmont Holiday Bike program. Drop off a new or used kids bike at Oskar Blues Homemade Liquids and Solids, Oskar Blues Tasty Weasel Tap Room or the Left Hand Brewery Tap room and receive a free pint of beer. Tricycles, kids bikes and scooters are needed and Santa’s elves will be working hard to repair and renew all donated bikes just in time for Christmas.

• Share-A-Gift Annual Gift Drive | Thanksgiving Weekend- December 14 |BoCo
With locations set up at several Boulder Valley School District Schools, the Share-A-Gift Annual Gift Drive is the perfect way to get your kids involved in helping for the holidays. New and used toys, books, bikes and gifts are needed for Boulder County kids in need. Stay tuned to the Share-A-Gift website for updates on drop-off locations.

Food Donations
**Check your local grocery stores for deals and discounts on canned food and holiday meal items. Get your kids involved by having them help make a list of the brands and food items that are on sale to help stretch your grocery store dollar for your food donation.

• BCAP Food Bank | November 1- January 1 | Boulder & Longmont Locations
BCAP is in need of holiday food items including canned goods, 10 lb turkeys, pumpkin pie filling and gravy mix packets along with shampoo, laundry soap and other items needed year round for the food bank.

• Sister Carmen Community Center | Now – December 22 |  Lafayette
If you’re not sure which grocery store items to purchase for donations, just skip the searching and buy a few $10 or $15 King Soopers or Walmart gift cards to donate and allow recipients to purchase menu items for their own holiday meal.

• “Let’s Bag Hunger” Food Drive | November 13-23 | Community Food Share Click here for a list of items that the Community Food Share is in need of most, and drop the items off at participating local grocery stores. Click here for a complete list of participating drop-off locations.

Clothing Donations

• Socks and Mittens Drive | November 3- December 5 | Foothills United Way |Lafayette
Show off your knitting skills, or purchase new: socks, mittens, hats, scarves and any other items that will help keep men, women and children warm during the cold winter months. Drop donations off in the Foothills United Way Lobby at 1285 Cimarron Dr., Ste. 101, Lafayette.

• Boulder Outreach to the Homeless Overflow | Year Round | Boulder
Warm socks needed. Any cold weather gear is accepted. Please drop off donations at Mountain’s Edge Fitness Center.

Click here for the complete 2011 Volunteer Connections Volunteer Opportunity and Donations Guide including a detailed list of contact information for the above events.

The post The Bolder Life: Helping for the Holidays appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Let me paint you a picture. It’s Wednesday. You’ve already been at work for three days and there are still two more work days in the week. You have a minor case of the mid-week blues. You don’t feel like cooking and you’re in need of a friendly ear to listen to you vent about your week.

You need some comfort food, some good wine, good tunes, a relaxing atmosphere and prices that won’t add more stress to your week.

You need to hit up Neighborhood Night at Café Aion. Every Wednesday night, patrons—young  and old, hipster and sporty, hungry and thirsty, pack themselves into the cozy, open dining room in the old Aion Bookstore building located in the historic Hill neighborhood of Boulder. Warm fires roar in both fireplaces, a steady stream of foot-tapping oldies music flows from the speakers, the restaurant’s owners greet guests with ice water poured from emptied out wine bottles and the smell of good cooking wafts from the kitchen, gently reassuring all growling stomachs.

Aion’s weekly Neighborhood Night also doubles as Paella Night.

Now imagine paella, cooked and served family style in cast iron skillets, with braised chicken so tender it practically jumps off of the bone and chorizo with the perfect hint of smokiness, covered in a warm blanket of garlic, tomatoes and an aromatic saffron rice. Sounds good, right? It was absolutely delicious, and expertly paired with a bottle of tasty red wine from Spain.

And now imagine all of this for $35.00. Yes, every Wednesday during dinner service, Café Aion offers enough paella to comfortably feed two hungry stomachs along with a bottle of wine for—for the low price of $35.00.

Such a great deal. And if you can’t wait until Wednesday to dine at Café Aion, then don’t. The neighborhood restaurant is participating in First Bite Boulder (November 11-19^th). Click here to get a sneak peak of their First Bite Menu, and once you’re done drooling, click here to make reservations.

You’re going to need them.

Follow Café Aion on Twitter, and Like them on Facebook for updates on the weekly Paella special.

The post The Bolder Life: Paella & Wine for Everyone! appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

In general, Boulder County always seems to have at least a few calendar squares out of the month dedicated to some sort of art related event, and the month of November is no exception. From classes to trunk shows, November is jam packed with artsy happenings.

And let’s be honest with ourselves, whether purchasing or creating some of your own art, nothing goes better with a good portrait, sculpture or oil painting than a nice glass of wine, a local microbrew, or a specialty cocktail. Booze. It’s how artsy people bribe their non-artsy friends to attend gallery openings and it helps everyone find the happy place that enables them to be open and creative and design a unique piece of art.

Because I dabble in the arts, (not the black magic kind), I’m pretty excited about the string of upcoming art plus cocktail events happening locally. I’ve a compiled a list of events that you’ll most likely find me at in the month of November.

Hope to see you all there!

PoshSplat | “Western Sky” | November 11 | 6:30-9:30 p.m.
PoshSplat is a downtown Boulder business that offers guests the opportunity to recreate their own version of a painting while sipping on a nice glass of wine or a cold beer. (Kind of genius). PoshSplat provides the inspiration, instruction, supplies and a little mood music to help you get in your creative zone. Classes run Wednesday – Friday with a different painting as the model each class.
Expect to pay a reasonable $35 per class and an additional $3 per glass of wine or beer.

East Boulder County Artists Holiday Show and Sale | November 10-December 31st | All Day Event | Flatirons Mall
This event might be cheating a little since there technically isn’t booze allowed at the event—but it’s right next to the California Pizza Kitchen, home of one of my favorite recreations of the Lemon Drop Martini, so it gets to stay on the list. The EBCA will be holding their annual show at the Flatiron Crossing Mall this year where shoppers can purchase locally made: paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photography, glass and wood work and much more. With the holidays quickly approaching, don’t miss this annual event for a chance to support local artists and pick up some pretty cool gifts.

“Graffiti & Martinis” | November 17 | 6:30-9:00 p.m. | BMoCA
If you were to tell me that this event doesn’t sound awesome, I would probably tell you that you’re lying. Graffiti has always been considered a major no-no in society, but has recently emerged as an expressive and respected medium in the art world. At this event, you will learn street art techniques which include stenciling, painting, and spraying and BMoCA will provide you with a complimentary martini as well. Pretty edgy and hip, right? Call BMoCA today to make your reservation.
Expect to pay $8 for Members and $15 for Non-Members. And did I mention that the martini is complimentary?!

Muse Gallery Jewelry Trunk Show | November 29 | 5:00-8:00 p.m.| Sugarbeet  
The Muse Gallery showcases both local and national artists at their Longmont location, but this month, they’re teaming up with Sugarbeet for the Sugarbeet Wine Pairing and Muse Jewelry Trunk show. Dine on delicious appetizers paired with fine wines by the culinary artists at Sugarbeet while supporting the local art community by purchasing some beautifully hand-crafted jewelry to either wear yourself, or give as the perfect holiday gift.
Expect to pay $40 per person or $75 for two.

The post The Bolder Life: Art + Cocktails appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

In 2010, Bon Appetit Magazine declared Boulder, “The Foodiest Town in America” in a great article highlighting a Boulderite’s fierce love of gourmet calore consumption along with their energetic passion for burning said calories off.

It seems like each month brings a new, well-deserved award to be displayed in the windows and lobbies of Boulder’s big name restaurants—which is fantastic for Boulder’s foodie reputation, but can be pretty taxing on the average diner’s wallet. There’s definitely a strong correlation between the number of awards a restaurant possesses, and the prices listed in bold print on their menus. It seems like the more accolades a restaurant has, the more they charge for their sought after dishes, making it more difficult for the majority of the general food-adoring public to sample the culinary delights that gave Boulder it’s foodie crown.

Thankfully, First Bite Boulder, (Boulder’s answer to restaurant week), is coming up. For the week of November 11-19^th, over 40 of Boulder’s most popular eateries are offering three-course menus for $26.00. Yep. You read that right. While an entrée at some of these high-end dining establishments can reach $26.00 alone, for this one week in November, eager diner’s will spend $26.00 for an appetizer, entrée and dessert created by some of the most respected Chef’s in the local culinary scene.

So, food-lovers of Boulder County—now is your chance to get a taste of what the buzz on Boulder’s foodie culture is really all about. Sample foods made from fresh produce harvested from local farms along with innovative creations and exceptional, seasonal menu items.

And if you’ve already had the chance to dine at the majority of the participating First Bite Boulder restaurants, take next week to get off the grid and experience some of Boulder’s surrounding restaurants such as: Colterra in Niwot, Zamperelli’s in Lafayette, the Lyons Fork in Lyons and the Greenbriar Inn—(which technically boasts a Boulder address but can be found almost smack dab in between Boulder and the Town of Lyons).

Eat, drink, and unlock your inner foodie.

And if I could give you one tip on making the most of First Bite Boulder—it would to make to make reservations! Ensure your seat at one of these local eateries and check out the First Bite Boulder website to enter a drawing for your chance to win a First Bite dinner for two at any of the establishments on the list. Trust me. In the quest for foodie domination, the more visits you make each of the restaurants on the list, the more foodie points you score, and the more you can impress your friends at their dinner parties by using proper culinary terms to give your rating on the dinner menu.

Click here for a full list of participating restaurants and their First Bite Boulder menus.

The post The Bolder Life: Take a Bite Out of Boulder appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Most times in life, we are forced to pick a path when we reach the fork in the road, but at the Fork in Lyons, CO—the choice is simple—take the path of least resistance and head inside to the bar.

The Lyons Fork is a restaurant, Beer Union and local hang out located in Downtown Lyons at the end of Main Street where Highway 66 splits and gives way to two of the areas busiest mountain roads, traveled by thousands of Rocky Mountain National Park visitors each year. Opened in 2010 by Lyons locals, Wayne and Debbie Anderson, the Lyons Fork is quickly making a name for itself in the budding Colorado foodie scene.

Over a century ago, the sandstone structure at 450 Main Street housed the McAllister Saloon. Today, the building is still home to one of the most popular bars in town—but instead of moonshine and whiskey, the Lyons Fork is serving their customers some of the best brews coming from the craft beer nation. From local favorites, Avery Brewing Co. and Left Hand Brewing, to nationally acclaimed breweries such as Stone Brewing (CA), Port Brewing (CA), and Victory Brewing Co. (PA), the Fork is offering up specialty, aged, oaked, drinkable and unique brews that make up their ever-changing and diverse beer list.

With over twenty years of combined sales experience in the craft brewing industry, it’s no surprise that Wayne and Debbie Anderson take special measures to offer their customers the best of the oldies and goodies of craft beer. These days, the Anderson’s are also educating their guests on the craft beer world as well, by holding Beer Dinners every few months with a representative from a guest brewery pulling out all the stops, bringing in popular and specialty beers from their brewery and introducing each beer that is carefully paired with a menu created by Executive Chef, and beer/food pairing genius, Ian Rubenoff.

Although Fork Beer Dinners typically consist of five-courses paired with five beers, I was lucky enough to snag one of the last seats to the three-course, Stone Brewing Bastard Series Beer Dinner held last Thursday. I dined on duck confit with an orange marmalade sauce, smoked pork loin stuffed with Haystack mountain goat cheese, herbs, (and a little bit of heaven), a sweet potato mash, and a toffee crusted, coconut, almond and chocolate torte that left the entire group speechless for the majority of the dessert round. Representatives of Stone Brewing walked guests through the brewing process and history of each brew which included the Arrogant Bastard Ale, an Oaked Arrogant Bastard and a 2010 Double Bastard.

As usual, I left the Lyons Fork with a full belly, a better knowledge of craft brewing and new friends. If you haven’t been to a Beer Dinner at the Lyons Fork, I suggest you hurry up and sign up for the December 13^th, five-course dinner with Boulder’s newest microbrewery, Upslope Brewing. Tickets are $60.00 and always sell out fast. Sample one of the Fork’s popular margaritas before dinner, say hello to Wayne and Debbie and enjoy one of the best meals that you’ve ever eaten with forty-five of your newest friends and craft beer converts.

The Lyons Fork is located at 450 Main St. and offers dinner service from 4:00-9:00 p.m., Monday-Friday and brunch from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Click here for more information on the Upslope Beer Dinner.     

The post The Bolder Life: The Fork in the Road appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

For decades, men all around the world have been trying their hardest and succeeding at avoiding places like the theater, the ballet, the dreaded opera house, and any venue that women recognize as a legitimate form of punishment for their significant other. Using every excuse in the book and resorting to lying in the most desperate of times, men have thought about everything to get them out of a suit and tie and back in the safety of their living room or local watering hole—drinking beer and watching sports in their comfortable sweat pants or jeans. But the days of dodging opera are officially done.

With the new addition of a nationwide organization dedicated to opera performances sweeping through restaurants and bars around the state, women no longer have to convince their best friend, mom, grandmom or lady co-workers to get dressed up and accompany them to get their opera fix.

Opera on Tap began in a dimly lit New York bar as an affordable and accessible way to bring opera to the people. Since their creation in 2005, Opera on Tap has gone on the create ten more chapters all over the United States, while gaining popularity as a not-for-profit by raising funds through ticket sales and donations to keep the music flowing. It is their belief that people are more likely to enjoy a good opera performance if they’re in a comfortable setting while taking in the show.

This past Sunday, Opera on Tap, in collaboration with Cabaret Otaku, brought opera to Boulder with an afternoon performance at in the Blues and Greens restaurant at Boulder Outlook Hotel. On a stage, tyically filled with jazz musicians and rockers, stood a group of young, talented performers hitting notes that send chills through the audience. A packed house full of intrigued viewers ordered dinner from a menu filled with sandwiches, burgers, salads and draft beer and watched as a combination of haunting vocals and unique characters, dressed in elaborate costumes told the story of “Dances with Death”, a story highlighting this spooky time of year.

With a good selection of beers on tap, a buffalo burger on the menu, no dress code and highlights of NFL football games shown during intermission, it’s no surprise that the audience was a healthy mix of women and men.

So now is the time ladies. Gone are the days of tricking your significant other into a date night at the opera. Click here for more information on Opera on Tap and for a list of upcoming shows, dress up in your favorite casual wear, and hit the town for a taste of burgers, beer and falsettos!

The post The Bolder Life: Burgers, Beer & Falsettos appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.