by Jessica Hughes | Feb 18, 2026 | Glendale City News
Book Review —
by Jessica Hughes
Katie Vieira is an educator, wife, mother of three, and now a published author. Into the Field is Vieira’s first book.
Monitoring children’s screen time has become one of the most pressing challenges facing parents today, often compared to regulating sugar intake or substance exposure. Where the 1990s urged families to “D.A.R.E.” kids to avoid drugs, today’s battle is often centered on limiting time spent in front of screens. Which is why, Katie Vieira, an educator, wife, and mother of three wants to help children and their parents combat screen addiction by turning to the outdoors with her debut book, Into the Field.
Vieira began noticing the impact of that struggle firsthand when her two daughters showed increasing dependence on digital devices. “I started to notice my kids were constantly asking for it. That’s all they wanted to do,” says Vieira. “No matter how many times I would give the warning to turn off screens, they threw tantrums and became completely distraught.”
She recalls frequent power struggles, especially with her oldest daughter, over getting outside — an early warning sign that prompted concern. “They showed symptoms of digital addiction like difficulty disengaging from technology, mood swings, declining interest in offline activities, compulsive asking for the technology.”
Digital Addiction, as defined by the National Institutes of Health, is identified as functionally equivalent to all addictions, characterized by the compulsive, habitual, and uncontrolled use of digital devices and an excessively repeated engagement in a particular online behavior.
Wanting to help combat her kid’s digital addiction, Vieira focused on creating structures around screen time while intentionally prioritizing outdoor time. They avoid using iPads for education, treat screen time as shared family time, and use technology as a tool for connection rather than distraction. She acknowledges that balance is difficult to maintain. “It’s hard. It’s a slippery slope because it’s easy to say, ‘just put a show on’ but we can’t necessarily get away from it.”
Katie Vieira and her family.
The idea for the book emerged during one of the busiest seasons of Vieira’s life. She was pregnant with her third child while moving across the country before settling in Colorado. During that transition, as her daughters adjusted to a new home and homeschooling, Vieira noticed signs of digital addiction becoming more pronounced. Determined to help them form connections and spend more time outside, she discovered the 1,000 Hours Outside Challenge, which encourages families to match screen time with outdoor time. The challenge responds to data showing children spend roughly 1,000 hours per year on screens — about 2.5 hours per day.
Into the Field is a nature-based adventure story designed to help kids and their parents combat screen addiction through outdoor play. It follows two young sisters — modeled after Vieira’s daughters — who embark on an outdoor adventure to save a friend from screen addiction. Vieira describes the story as portraying an extreme version of the problem. “They are having to save their friend from the video game.” Colorful illustrations by Vieira’s cousin bring the adventure to life, with scenes set amid the landscapes of Tennessee.
The writing process became a family affair. “My girls not only inspired the story, but they actually played a role in writing it,” says Vieira. “I would jot down chapters based off hikes we had just done, after the kids went to bed, and the next morning I would read them the chapter I wrote. They would give some insight on what the kids should wear and sometimes say in certain situations.”
Into the Field is an adventure story designed to help kids and their parents combat screen addiction through outdoor play.
As former classroom teacher with a master’s degree in education, Vieira homeschools her children and emphasizes that technology itself is not the enemy. “I am aware that it is 2026 and still have to use the technology,” she says. “It’s about learning to keep it in their lives in a balanced way.”
She describes the book as magical, adventurous, and family-focused, with a central goal of inspiring outdoor play and creativity. “We have to allow for boredom and force them to be creative without their screens,” she says. “Going outside, allows them to tap into those creative outlets. Allowing them to be imaginative without the stimulus of screens.”
Into the Field is Vieira’s first book, and she has already begun work on the second installment — called Colorado Campground. She plans for the project to become a series, with each book set in a different state. Inspired by her educational background, Vieira also sees Into the Field as a classroom-friendly resource for teachers and parents alike. “My goal is to try and showcase the different biomes across the country, from beaches to mountains,” says Vieira. “I want to weave in social studies and science without the kids really knowing or realizing.”
Through storytelling, geography, and outdoor exploration, Vieira hopes the book series will quietly blend multiple curricula — reading comprehension, science, social studies, and social-emotional learning — while encouraging families to step away from screens and back into the natural world.
Alongside the book, she is also releasing compilation guides and accompanying activities that relate back to each chapter via her Instagram page. You can follow her at @intothefieldbook.
She will also be at the Barnes & Noble in Glendale for a book signing on March 22, from 1-3 p.m. You can also reach out to her directly at intothefield@gmail.com.
by Ashe in America | Feb 18, 2026 | Feature Story Bottom Left
ASHE IN AMERICA — OPINION
Election years bring out the worst in our community, as people show their true colors and drop the mask in the pursuit of the win. This year is particularly pronounced because the Executive is up for grabs, and the Colorado ruling junta is less popular than it’s ever been.
Despite that fact — that Democrats have turned Colorado into a national punchline and they should roundly lose — Republicans can’t get out of their own way. The biggest story in CO GOP politics right now is the campaign of Victor Marx who, despite outraising all other candidates, appears apprehensive to face voters directly.
Marx has a habit of avoiding — and even bailing — on local candidate forums in favor of allegedly elitist out-of-state events, and he recently made headlines for a few cancellations that indicate a low level of comfort among the people.
For example, Marx was scheduled to appear with other gubernatorial candidates in Elbert County on January 31st, but he bowed out at the last minute.
“We are not going to spend our time responding to provocation, participating in sideshows, or lending credibility to distractions designed to pull focus away from the real work ahead,” Marx said in a statement, adding, “That is why I will not be participating in events or forums that devolve into personal attacks or grievance-driven theatrics, including the recently scheduled forum on the 31st. Our time, energy, and resources are finite — and we choose to invest them where they matter: with the people of Colorado.”
Strange approach to insult and attack local grassroots groups on behalf of “the people of Colorado,” but Marx appears to only want to speak to low information voters — as a matter of strategy.
“The less certain people think they know about me right now, the stronger position we’re in when it matters most,” Marx stated in a separate post on Facebook.
On February 4th, Marx was supposed to attend a Parker Conservatives event, where many of his opponents in the race have already spoken and answered unvetted questions from that group’s highly engaged audience.
This event was weird from the outset. Mark Hampton, who leads the group with his wife, first announced that the questions for Marx had to be submitted in advance.
“During the evening, we will not be taking live questions from the audience,” Hampton wrote in his event email. “Instead, we will conduct a focused interview with Victor Marx. If you would like to submit a question for consideration, please use the link below to send it in advance.”
Hampton framed this development as his own idea, and he appeared to blame his highly engaged audience for needing to change the rules for Marx. “If people could reliably ask a clear, direct question, we wouldn’t need this format, but after five years of doing these events, hope has been replaced by experience,” Hampton said in the same email.
Notably, when I attended the Parker Conservatives event with Scott Bottoms earlier in this campaign, no one vetted my questions.
In the end, it doesn’t matter. The Parker Conservatives event was cancelled, and replaced by a Victor Marx campaign event at the same time and location. I called Hampton to ask what happened, and he told me that his organization had received a volume of threats that made them uncomfortable proceeding with the event, but that the Marx campaign was reluctant to cancel — so Hampton turned over his event space and audience to the campaign.
When I asked Hampton about the nature and volume of threats, he said it was “enough.”
Apparently, I’m not the only skeptic of the storytelling around this event. Hampton posted on Facebook on January 31st, “But when you make a decision rooted in your values and principles that doesn’t neatly align with others’ preferences. That’s when the masks come off.”
Yikes. The statement continued, “I have been working diligently to provide a venue for gubernatorial candidates, the most recent being Victor Marks [sic]. Not the first candidate. Not the only one. Just one more in a long line of candidates running for governor. You’d think this would be the least controversial thing in a conservative movement…”
He declined to share that the other candidates had different rules on Q&A.
Then he compared himself to Job, “The people most convinced of their own righteousness are often the quickest to condemn others. Job learned that from his friends, full of certainty, empty of wisdom.”
Two days later, on February 2, Hampton changed his Facebook banner photo to a Victor Marx 2026 campaign image.
Now the Marx campaign is in control of the attendees and the questions, and once again the “dangerous gentleman” avoids facing the people he claims to want to serve.
In summary, in his short time campaigning, Marx has alienated the Colorado voters that are most likely to knock doors and make phone calls and get out the vote.
Curious strategy…
Then again, if his target audience is low information voters, Marx can just buy a ground game with all that out of state donor money.
I bet Parker Conservatives will help.
Ashe in America is an independent writer, host, and activist in Colorado. Learn more at linktree.com/asheinamerica.
by Valley Gadfly | Feb 18, 2026 | Main Articles
Denver’s Luck Of The Irish Kicks Off March 14 With The Largest Parade West Of The Mississippi Turning Streets Green
by Glen Richardson
Pets Participate: Dress your four-legged furry friend in green for the annual Green Street St. Paddy’s Day Pet Parade on March 14.
As luck would have it, St. Patrick’s Day in Denver centers around the huge annual parade set to start March 14 on Wynkoop Street at 9:30 a.m. and weave through downtown. The actual holiday is Tuesday, March 17.
Presented by Bellco Credit Union, the 2026 theme is Stars, Stripes, and Shamrocks. It is known as the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade west of the Mississippi. Legend has it that the modern-day parade started when pub-goers at the now-defunct Duffy’s Shamrock Bar took to the streets in 1962.
Running for more than 60 years, nearly half a million people are expected to attend the downtown parade. You’ll want to get a good spot in advance since some people arrive at 6 a.m. to find a prime place for spectating. The parade happens regardless of the weather.
Floats, Dancers
Every year the spirit of the Irish seems to dance its way into town and transform the Mile High City into a vibrant sea of green. Downtown overflows with Irish jig leprechauns, four-leaf clover wearers, Irish lovers, plus those with green clothes, and an affection for green beer.
The parade celebrates Irish culture with vibrant floats, dancers, and bagpipers. It has been a hallmark of The Mile High City since 1962, celebrating a deep love for Irish culture. Whether you’re proudly Irish, or just embracing the luck of the Irish for the day, this family-friendly event is a must attend. Gather your friends, bring the whole family, and don’t forget to wear you best green attire.
More than a parade, it’s a celebration of culture, community, and camaraderie that you won’t want to miss!
Uncertain Weather
Runnin’ of the Green: Bagpipe group plays Irish music as runners compete in the classic Irish jog in Washington Park. This year’s event is March 8, 10 a.m. to noon.
March is known for wildly varying weather. The last time measurable snow occurred on St. Patrick’s Day was in 1922. It might be cold, hot, who knows? Dress in layers and bring plenty of water.
To catch the parade entries’ full performance — dancing, full music sets, etc. — the best spot is south of 20th Ave. on Blake St., which will be renamed Tooley St. for the parade. This is one of the most crowded areas of the parade and is standing room only. Folks arrive as early as 6 a.m. to stake out a spot.
During the parade, you can expect to see floats, dancing, live bands, charities, and local celebrities. Attendees can easily find some green beer to drink at one of downtown Denver’s many bars. The parade itself does not provide food or drink, so if you need to grab a snack or use the bathroom, you’ll have to find a restaurant or bar to do so.
Runnin’ Of The Green
To get in shape for this year’s St. Paddy’s Day activities, participate in the 38th annual Runnin’ of the Green in Washington Park, March 8, 10 a.m. to noon. The Classic Irish jog will have live Irish music, Irish dancers, bagpipes, and a beer garden.
The luck o’ the Irish event is a family- friendly 7K and 2 Mile run-walk celebrating Irish traditions, Saint Patrick’s Day, and Spring. The event includes professional timing and online results. Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in each age category.
The awards ceremony is at 10 a.m. The event promises to be a day filled with Irish fun, live music, awards, plus cold beer. Don’t forget your bagpipes!
State’s 150 Birthday
Keggs & Eggs: ViewHouse has a four-day lineup of food and fun beginning with Keggs & Eggs on March 14.
The biggest and best St. Patrick’s Day Parade west of the Mississippi, this year celebrates Colorado’s 150th and the Nation’s 250th Anniversaries.
Arrive early to stake out your favorite spot. The best place for families is at the end of the parade on Blake St. from 23rd to 27th Avenues.
Celebrated around the world, many cities offer unique events to mark the occasion. From the green-lit landmarks of Dublin, to Denver’s festive parade, St Patrick’s Day is a global celebration of Irish culture and heritage. The first St. Patrick’s Day Parade was in 1889, but the event has modernized since the days of gas lamps and the Gilded Age.
Bagpipes, Jigs, Fun
Whether you’re sporting your lucky-charms and shamrocks, or searching for a pint of the finest Irish stout, downtown on parade day is a journey through one of the most celebrated events in Denver. It is a day full of jigs, bagpipes, and fun.
The City of Denver annually paints a green strip down the Blake Street parade path in honor of St. Patrick.
Another custom is the annual changing of the sign, which is when Blake Street is changed to Tooley Street in honor of Dale Tooley, Denver’s former district attorney in the 1970s and 1980s.
Chasing Abbey
Denver’s Dublin Days: The annual parade celebrates Irish culture with vibrant floats, dancers, and bagpipers.
Chasing Abbey, the award-winning trio from Tullamore, Ireland, plays their long-awaited U.S. debut at Globe Hall Bar-B-Q on Logan St. March 6, 8 p.m. With hits like Aris is Airs and Oh My Johnny, the group has earned multiple platinum singles and packed venues across Ireland and the world. Information: 393-296-1003.
Dress your four-legged furry friend in green for the 2nd annual Green Street St. Paddy’s Day Pet Parade on March 14, 2 p.m. The pet parade route runs from 590 29th Street, proceeding down Welton Street, and concluding at Sonny Lawson Park.
The parade will be led by the Denver Brass Band. After the parade, the celebration ends with a bar crawl featuring local establishments, live DJs, performers, and spoken-word artists.
Irishfest Follows
Irishfest Follows: Following the parade, head to the ballpark neighborhood for Irishfest. Dates are March 14 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and March 15 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Following the parade, head to the ballpark neighborhood for Irishfest. Dates are March 14 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and March 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is a community Irish festival featuring local businesses, community partners, sponsors, vendors, and entertainment.
Event is in Denver’s Ballpark District at 21st Street & Blake in the Rockies parking lot, providing an outlet for parade goers to join the community to keep the festivities going after the last float goes by.
Irishfest will be serving up Irish coffee, other libations, refreshments, and local food starting at 8 a.m. on the corner of 21st and Blake. An all-age Irish festival, it features local food and drink vendors, music, silent discos. Proceeds benefit Ballpark Collective RNO.
by Valley Gadfly | Feb 18, 2026 | Valley Gadfly
Valley Gadfly
Time marches on: We’ve arrived in the no-man’s-land month of March. Indeed, this is the month when we spring ahead and lose an hour of sleep. The month is all about transitions.
March in Denver is known for high variability; it can be sunny and 70°F one day, and drop to 10°F the next. It’s Denver’s snowiest month, averaging 8.5 to 11.5 inches of snowfall.
In March of last year (2025), Denver recorded a warmer-than-average mean temperature of 45.8°F. Here is our fall in and count off choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment:
There’s trouble in River City, and you won’t want to miss Meredith Wilson’s six-time, Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Music Man. Production is in DCPA’s Buell Theatre, March 1, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Information: 720-865-4220.
Catch Israeli-born jazz guitarist Christian Loffer — with 10 award-winning albums —playing at the Bluebird Theater March 8, 8 p.m. Information: 303-377-1666.
Are you ready to rock & roll? Kentucky country-rock band Ole 60 plays folk and country in the Mission Ballroom March 12, 8 p.m. Information: 303-377-1666.
Looking for a platter of shellfish for lunch or dinner? Cherry Creek’s Blue Island Oyster Bar & Seafood on 2nd Ave. is a neighborhood favorite. Try the yummy and unique lobster stuffed Knuckle Sandwich. Information: 303-333-2462.
Thinking about sending your kids to summer camp? Iliff’s Summer Adventure Day Camp — kindergarteners through age 12 — includes field trips, organized sports, arts-crafts, along with STEM activities. Information: 303-757-3551.
Mexican-born stand-up comedian Felipe Esparza who won Last Comic Standing plays the Paramount Theatre March 14, 7 p.m. Information: 303-623-0106.
DJ-electronic music producer Crankdat — whose remixes have earned millions of plays — entertains at Red Rocks March 27, 7 p.m. Information: 720-865-2494.
Milan’s Italian gothic metal band Lacuna Coil, with guitarist Marco Coti-Zelati, plays Summit Music Hall, March 31, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-487-0111.
Attend the St. Baldrick’s Cancer Foundation fundraiser at Chopper’s Sports Grill on South Madison St. in Cherry Creek March 7, 1 to 5 p.m. In its 25th year, funding gives hope to babies, toddlers, children, teens, and young adults diagnosed with cancer. Contact Ryan Leopando for information: 720-277-8082.
March has glorious days of 60-degree weather. But alas, the accompanying wind will blow your winter coat off. Still, the sunshine will make you think of crisp mountain air.
Blossom by blossom, spring is beginning. March on, it’s a command. Do not tarry, spring growth and warmer weather means Spring fever’s restlessness and daydreaming.
Why is spring such a great time to start a gardening business? Because you can rake in the cash. Do you know why the computer went to the beach on spring break? To surf the net!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
