by Mark Smiley | Dec 15, 2023 | General Featured
by Mark Smiley
Reliable: The OtterBox Fast Charge is one of the fastest portable power banks on the market. This reliable brand is worth considering if in the market for a portable power bank.
Power bank chargers, also known as portable chargers or external battery packs, are portable devices designed to store electrical energy and then release it to charge various electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and more. These devices have become increasingly popular due to the high energy demands of modern gadgets and the need for a reliable source of power while on the go.
Power banks have become essential accessories for many people who rely on their electronic devices while on the go. When selecting a power bank charger, consider your specific needs and preferences to find the right one for you.
Three to consider purchasing for different reasons are the TravelCard Plus, OtterBox Fast Charge, and the CHAMP Portable Charger from Nimble.
Ultra Compact: The CHAMP Portable Charger from Nimble features up to 80% charge in 30 minutes and can charge two devices simultaneously.
The physical dimensions and weight of the power bank can affect its portability. Smaller and lighter power banks are more convenient for daily carry, while larger ones may offer more capacity but can be less portable. One of the most slim and portable chargers is the TravelCard Plus. This portable charger is complete with built in charging cords and is compatible with iPhones and Android devices. The TravelCard Plus is approximately the size of a credit card and easily fits in your pocket for charging on the go.
It easily fit in my pocket on a dog walk to give the phone an extra boost. It contains a 1,500mAh battery, which does not offer a lot of horsepower but it makes up for it with it’s slim design and light weight at 1.6 ounces. Retailing at $39, the TravelCard Plus is a product that should be in your arsenal of power bank chargers. Visit www.travelcardcharger.com for more information or to purchase.
Slim Design: TravelCard Plus is slim and lightweight at 1.6 ounces. It is complete with built in charging cords and fits in your pocket with ease.
If you want more power and faster charging, the OtterBox Fast Charge is your ticket. It boasts a 20,000mAh battery. It does weigh nearly one pound so it isn’t necessarily the product that you would carry in your pocket. But, Otterbox has a reputation of designing and manufacturing good products and this is no exception. Power banks usually have multiple output ports to charge different devices simultaneously and the OtterBox Fast Charge offers this.
“I bought this so my daughter could charge her iPhone and air pods on road trips and airplanes,” said Ryan on Amazon. “It’s perfect. You get several charges on devices from this after it’s fully charged. The charge indicator is helpful to show how much charge it holds. It’s not so bulky where you can’t put it in a bag and bring it with you anywhere. It’s exactly what I was looking for and from a reliable brand. Highly recommend.” The OtterBox Fast Charge 20,000mAh retails for $54.95 and is another portable power bank to consider owning. Visit www.otterbox.com for more information.
Nimble’s CHAMP Portable Charger is the last power bank that is worth considering. It is perhaps the Goldilocks of portable chargers with a compact design, a weight of 6.4 ounces, and a 10,000 mAh battery for up to three days of power. It works with iPhone, iPad, Android devices, and more. This device is in my glove compartment for times when my phone needs an extra boost.
This device is also TSA approved and compact enough to throw in a backpack and take on the airplane. The CHAMP features up to 80% charge in 30 minutes and can charge two devices simultaneously. Also, Nimble is environmentally conscious as the packaging is made from recycled paper and uses no harmful inks or dyes. It is biodegradable and inside that packaging, you’ll find a bag that you can use to responsibly recycle your old electronic tech for free. The CHAMP retails for $49.95 and can be purchased at www.gonimble.com.
The price of power banks can vary widely based on capacity, features, and brand. While it’s important to stay within your budget, consider investing in a quality power bank from a trusted manufacturer to ensure long-term reliability. These three options are all in the $50 range and you can’t go wrong owning all three.
by Jessica Hughes | Nov 16, 2023 | General Featured
by Jessica Hughes
Labeling your bins takes the guesswork out of where things go.
Oftentimes, the holiday season can feel overwhelming with the in-laws in town, additional obligations, finding the perfect gift, and then wrapping it. With so much going on, being organized can make a world of difference and ease the stress of “what box did I put the Christmas lights in last year.” Decluttering and organizing can help you focus on life’s other obligations this time of year. But where does one start?
Christina DesAuguste, founder of The Organizing Company — a professional organizing company that helps people organize their “stuff” in a functional, good-looking way, says to start with a method. “For those starting the process of organizing, it is best to start with a method, rather than “tips and tricks.”
During the holiday season, one of the biggest mistakes DesAuguste says she sees often is people frantically throwing things in their hamper or some other “catch all” and stick it in the closet somewhere right before friends and family arrive. “It’s best to try and not hide your mess before company comes over,” says DesAuguste. “Instead, try to come up with a method or process that sets you up for success.”
One method DesAuguste suggests when bringing out decorations for the season, is to place your non-holiday items in the holiday bins you pulled out from storage. This way, when the holidays are over, you can easily make the swap.
Christina DesAuguste gets organized with one of her Hilltop clients in Denver.
Organization not only reduces stress, but it looks good too.
“Make a decision about how you store your holiday decorations,” says DesAuguste. “You can do it by room or by category. But try not to do a “free for all storage” and take the time to be methodical.”
While DesAuguste emphasizes there is no one size fits all for organization items everyone must have, she does mention a few things she thinks everyone can benefit from. “A label-maker is huge help in getting things back where they belong. It helps eliminate the “where does this go?” question.”
Another item she strongly suggests might be one that surprises you. “A three-step stool is great to have handy,” says DesAuguste. “It sets you up for success by having easy access to things, so you put items back in their right place.”
In terms of decluttering your space to make room for all your holiday demands, DesAuguste says she is a big fan of having children go through their toys before gift-giving season. “Choose things they are ready to part with and donate. That way when new gifts come there is room for them.”
But taking away your kid’s toys might prove challenging, so starting with big bulky items that don’t have any meaning is another option. Think of items like excess small appliances, comforters you no longer use, or cleaning supplies you don’t use anymore. One other item that is less obvious but easy to discard is old paint cans.
Often forgotten about, paint cans clutter basements, garages, and crawl spaces,” says Kevin Lynch, the Program Manager for PaintCare Colorado. “Free up some of that space by taking cans of paint to one of our local drop-off sites or using the PaintCare Door-to-Door service to make room to store presents in advance of the holidays.”
PaintCare is the paint recycling program in Colorado for consumers and businesses to drop off their unwanted paint, no matter the brand, for free reuse or recycling. With more than 160 participating drop-off locations, most locations are at paint and hardware stores.
So, why worry about getting rid of your old paint cans, aside from decluttering your space? “The older that paint gets the less usable it is,” says Lynch. “Unused cans of paint can become rusty and leaky from moisture, especially in our fluctuating Colorado climate.”
Drop-off is available year-round during the retail location’s regular business hours. And if you don’t have the ability to visit one of the drop off locations, the Denver area is fortunate to have a PaintCare home paint pickup program, called Door-to-Door Service, for households with more than 10 gallons of leftover paint, stain, and varnish. There is no charge for the pickup service; the cost is included on the sale of all new paint purchased, which is how the PaintCare program is funded.
If you’re not ready for a full-blow
n organization method, DesAuguste offers a few organizing “hacks” to help get you started. “Build a “10-minute tidy up” into your daily routine. Having this time to make sure things get back to their proper homes is a great way to prevent the overwhelm that comes with huge piles of mail/laundry/dishes, or a wild playroom.” She recommends doing this after dinner and before sitting down to relax. “But whatever time of day you and your family can be consistent is great,” says DesAuguste.
Another trick she mentions is to assign tasks to a certain day of the week. “For example, Mom’s laundry day is Monday, Tommy’s is Tuesday, and Suzie’s is Wednesday,” says DesAuguste. “Have a day of the week you open your mail rather than trying to open and deal with it while you’re carrying in groceries and unpacking kids’ backpacks- it just ends up in a pile somewhere never dealt with.”
She also suggests that until you are ready to get your house fully organized you can designate a day of the week that you organize. “Build time into your routine for things like this so they are more likely to get done.”
If you’re having a hard time starting the process of organizing and decluttering, Des Auguste says to simply start with your why in mind. “It helps to know why and deciding that it’s worth it is important to getting started.” Learn to organize anything in less than 10 minutes with Morton’s free video and guide at theorganizingco.com.
by Mark Smiley | Oct 20, 2023 | General Featured
Colorado Breweries Win 40 Medals
by Mark Smiley
Full House: The 42nd Annual Great American Beer Festival was held from September 21-23, 2023 at the Colorado Convention Center.
The 41st anniversary of the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) returned to the Colorado Convention Center September 21-23, 2023. GABF has grown exponentially since 1982, where just 24 breweries and 47 beers were present; 41 years later, GABF featured more than 2,000 different beers from nearly 500 of the nation’s finest breweries.
The 2023 GABF competition awarded 303 medals to 263 of the best commercial breweries in the United States. Presented by the Brewers Association (BA), GABF is the nation’s largest professional beer competition.
Top-tier brews spanning 99 beer categories across 175 beer styles (including all subcategories) received prestigious gold, silver, and bronze medals. In addition, three GABF Collaboration medals for beers created by a team of two or more professional breweries, and three GABF Pro-Am medals for beers developed by teams of professional brewers and amateur homebrewers, were announced.
The competition took place in three phases over nine days and was judged by 250 beer experts from 10 countries, including the U.S. In addition to evaluating 9,298 commercial brewery entries from all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, the judging panel assessed 95 Collaboration and 50 Pro-Am entries. The competition was made possible with the help of more than 300 volunteers.
Colorado breweries showed very well, bringing in 40 medals during the festival, the most since 2017 and up from 26 the year before.
Avery Brewing Company was one of those breweries as they took home two awards. Avery’s White Rascal won Gold in the Belgian-Style. “These awards are a testament to the great work of the Avery Brewing team,” said Elton Andres Knight, CEO of Mahou USA and Avery Brewing Company. “They have a longstanding commitment to their craft, and these awards confirm what we’ve all known — that Avery and Mahou USA make some of the best beers in the country.”
An annual event tied in with GABF is the Samuel Adams and Dogfish Head Great American Beer Festival Beer & Brunch event. This year’s event was held on Friday, September 22, at West of Surrender on 16th Street Mall.
Winners: Left to right: Sam Calagione, Founder of Dogfish Head Brewery; Rich Bloomfield, Funkytown Brewing; Jim Koch, Founder and Brewer of Samuel Adams; Zack Day, Funkytown Brewing; Greg Williams, Funkytown Brewing. Funkytown Brewing won the 12th Brewing & Business Experienceship from Samuel Adams.
The event featured Funkytown Brewing from Chicago, winners of the 12th Brewing & Business Experienceship. Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream, the revolutionary philanthropic program aimed at providing mentorship and access to capital for food and beverage entrepreneurs nationwide, was on full display at the brunch. Chicago’s Funkytown Brewery was welcomed to the coveted class of emerging craft brewers to receive support and unique experiences on behalf of Samuel Adams.
The Brewing & Business Experienceship is an annual program that invites craft brewers nationwide to apply for the chance to win unparalleled access to brewing and business resources from experts at Samuel Adams, including founder and brewer Jim Koch. One lucky craft brewer is selected to come to the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery, work side-by-side with a team of mentors, and collaborate on a specialty beer with Samuel Adams.
Twin Peaks: Twin Peaks added some spice to the 42nd Annual Great American Beer Festival. Twin Peaks has three convenient locations in Colorado.
Black-owned, Funkytown Brewery was founded by childhood and lifelong friends Rich Bloomfield, Zack Day, and Greg Williams, who share a passion for their hometown of Chicago and home brewing. Largely influenced by the Chicago craft scene and ’90s Hip Hop and R&B, Funkytown Brewery started home-brewing in a family garage. The brewery later launched in 2021 with a mission to introduce craft beer to underserved communities and provide a deeper understanding of different beer styles, tasting notes, aromas, and colors. Today, Funkytown Brewery aims to serve craft beer deserts and add diversity and representation to the shelves of established retailers.
“The Great American Beer Festival competition serves as a platform for the finest beers from across the nation to undergo rigorous scrutiny and vie for the title of ‘Best in Class,’” remarked Chris Williams, competition director for the Great American Beer Festival. “The beer community’s unwavering commitment to pushing the frontiers of innovation and quality is truly commendable. The Brewers Association takes great pride in recognizing the achievements of this year’s winners.”
For more information on GABF and to see the list of all the winners, visit www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com. For more information on the Colorado Brewers Guild, visit www.coloradobeer.org. The 42nd Great American Beer Festival is set for October 10-12, 2024.
by Mark Smiley | Jun 23, 2023 | General Featured
Tech Infused Mini Golf Venue With An Elevated Food And Drink Menu Opens In The River North Art District
by Mark Smiley
Course Hero: Puttshack is an upscale, tech-infused mini golf experience where the screens will guide you through the game.
Puttshack opened Colorado’s first location in Denver’s River North Art District on May 26, 2023. Puttshack is a tech infused indoor mini golf entertainment facility that features an elevated food and beverage menu.
“There is a global inspiration in the menu and lots of shareables where people are trying different things,” said Susan Walmesley, Chief Marketing Officer, Puttshack. “Almost all of it is cooked from scratch in our kitchen.”
Puttshack has nine locations in the U.S. and four in the U.K. with plans for more by the end of the year. The concept, originated in London by Topgolf inventors Steven and Dave Jolliffe, opened its first location in 2018, and the first in the U.S. in 2021.
Margarita: The spiced pineapple mezcal margarita is served with a Jalapeño Hellfire Popsicle and a candied pineapple wafer.
The core demographic are ages 21-35 with disposable income and time that are looking for new experiences. “Denver was way up there on our list of places we wanted to get into,” said Walmesley. “This is a really vibrant neighborhood with our core demographic close by.”
Although Puttshack caters to the younger crowd at night complete with DJs on the weekends, they welcome families during the day to experience this new way to play mini golf. It is tech infused where the technology is in the golf ball and it tracks every one of your shots. The patented Trackaball™ technology allows guests to play a point scoring game that does not allow cheating. There are four courses to choose from and all can be booked online.
“So much fun,” said Laura M. on Yelp. “We took a group of seven there for putt putt, dinner, and drinks, and ended up doing another round after dinner. We did Amber and Emerald, and while we enjoyed both, we thought Emerald was a blast. The putt putt was so much fun, and the hole designs were so cool.”
Puttshack has experienced a steady flow of guests in its first month and hopes to book more private parties in the coming months. “We are going to take it slow,” said Jake Wise, Director of Operations, Puttshack Denver. “We want to get off on a good footing and deliver what our guests expect. They are the ones coming out to spend money and we want to be the answer to ‘where should we get together.’ We are going to do our best to execute great food and amazing beverages. We are the only tech infused mini golf in the world.”
Puttshack Denver is located at 2813 Blake Street in Denver. You can book online at www.puttshack.com/locations/denver. Follow them on Facebook @puttshackdenver and on Instagram @puttshack.
by Jessica Hughes | May 22, 2023 | General Featured
by Jessica Hughes
FACE FOUNDRIE offers a relaxing and modern atmosphere for your best self-care needs. Photo by Kalen Jesse Photography
The Teddi B Workout focuses on fitness for women over 40 and is one of the latest fitness concepts to find a home in Cherry Creek North. Image credit: Teddi B Workout Facebook page
Summer is almost here and with it often comes a renewed focus on health and wellness and Cherry Creek North is just the place to reset and rejuvenate. With the highest concentration of local retail anywhere in Colorado, Cherry Creek North is often thought of as a retail and restaurant destination in Denver, but with its recent influx of wellness and fitness concepts, CCN is quickly becoming THE tourist destination.
“Cherry Creek North has long been viewed as Denver’s primary retail destination,” says Nick LeMasters, President & CEO at Cherry Creek North Business Improvement District. “There was a time in the mid ‘80s business owners were concerned about the new mall. But now, it’s fair to say that the mall became a catalyst for success as one of Denver’s most important tourist destinations.”
In addition to its retail and dining accolades, Cherry Creek North is also known for its numerous spas, nail bars, and lash studios, but in the last month several new wellness studios have found a home in the popular shopping district, making it Denver’s newest hub for all things health and beauty.
“The area is evolving on a couple of different levels,” says LeMasters. “While we are still known for tremendous dining and retail options, wellness is clearly the growing trend in the district.”
Joining other fitness studios such as Orange Theory and Barry’s Bootcamp, The Teddi B Workout is one of the latest fitness concepts to make its way to CCN. An OG in the fitness industry, Teddi Bryant — owner and fitness instructor at the Teddi B Workout — caters to women over 40 with her signature workouts. Her high-energy classes incorporate low-to-zero impact cardio, strength, posture, and balance components, plus Pilates.
Having just opened in March 2023, Bryant says, “We are killing it!” “I think the ease of being able to walk to a class, hit your favorite restaurant, and go shopping is the lifestyle that people want, and Cherry Creek is perfect for it.”
For a good summer workout, Bryant suggests her bootcamp which focuses on women’s bodies, and getting serious results in a short period of time. The bootcamps are held monthly and by reservation only through theteddibbootcamp.com.
Cherry Creek North is a top travel destination with its retail and dining options, plus its latest influx of health and wellness concepts. Image credit: Cherry Creek North
Treat yourself after your workout with a visit to FACE FOUNDRIÉ — an all-inclusive facial bar that specializes in facials, lashes, brows, and skincare. Opening in February 2023, FACE FOUNDRIÉ is one of the latest self-care and beauty concepts in CCN.
“We experienced that the pandemic left people wanting self-care and service-based businesses more than ever before,” says Cheyanne Thurston, VP of Marketing at FACE FOUNDRIÉ. “There was a general realization that self-care was important to the consumer after having limited access over the last few years.”
For summer treatments, Thurston suggests the Royal Treatment — a power-packed service that includes hydra dermabrasion, radiofrequency, ultrasound, oxygen infusion, and more! And while this is her number one recommendation, she emphasizes you can’t go wrong with any of their treatments.
If you’re feeling like a little pick me up is in order, get hooked with Prime IV Hydration & Wellness — a vitamin IV therapy using a proprietary blend of vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids. The concoction hits the bloodstream directly, as opposed to oral supplements that can have a 20% absorption rate, giving cells rapid access to nutrients required for healing or performance.
“COVID had an enormous impact on how many of us viewed healthcare and evaluated how we can better care for ourselves,” says Rob Dahlager, owner of Prime IV Hydration & Wellness. “We find that people are more interested than ever in preventing illnesses and finding alternative solutions to traditional western medicine practices.”
Whether you’re traveling a lot this summer or planning some much-needed time in the sun, there is an IV formula for any lifestyle.
“We have IVs that are made for many activities in the summer,” says Dahlager. “Including our Glow and Skinny Drip for skin health and increased metabolism. Or if you enjoy the sun and fun just a bit too much, the Afterburn soothes sunburned skin and inflammation to relieve the sting. And for the jetsetter the Immunity Armor is necessary.”
As the area’s fastest growing business concepts, the wellness component helps to round out your day in Cherry Creek — where you can pair a morning of wellness and self-care with an afternoon of brunch or lunch, some retail therapy, and dinner and drinks at one of its renowned restaurants and bars for the ideal day-cation.
For a full list of businesses, visit cherrycreeknorth.com.
by Jessica Hughes | Apr 21, 2023 | General Featured
by Jessica Hughes
Cycle instructor, Allissa Benson, wins ClassPass’ Best Instructor 2022 Award.
Instructor Allissa Benson leads her students through a 45-minute energetic workout.
Local Denver indoor-cycling studio, High Ride Cycle, pedals its way to two national Best of ClassPass awards as the fitness craze of indoor cycling makes its way to the Mile High City.
ClassPass, a monthly membership platform providing access to thousands of studios, gyms, spas, and salons, recently announced their Best of ClassPass Awards and High Ride Cycle was among the winners. Despite such a competitive fitness market, High Ride Cycle beat out studios across the country with cities like L.A. and NYC that dominate this sector of the fitness world.
The “Best of” Awards recognize and honor the top five nominations across multiple categories including Best Wellness Business, Best Fitness Studio, and Best Instructor. This year, Denver’s High Ride Cycle is the only studio to bring home two awards: Best Fitness Studio and Best Instructor.
“It is incredible that we were selected among thousands of studios, and I am humbled to receive best instructor in the nation.,” says Allissa Benson, winner of ClassPass’ Best Instructor 2022 Award and VP of Marketing at High Ride Cycle. “It feels great to be recognized on this level.”
Known by the community for her tenacity, contagious passion, and enthusiasm, Benson’s 45-minute class is often waitlisted and defined by riders as an inspiring and intense experience.
“Winning this award means the world to me,” said Benson. “I pour my life and soul into what I do, and it validates my sense of purpose, affirms that I’m in the right place, at the right time. It is breathtaking to know that the people that inspire me every single day, are also inspired by me.”
Classes at High Ride Cycle are rhythm-based cardio incorporating weights and resistance for a full-body workout. The fitness experience combines choreography, music, lights, and a whole lot of personality for a 45-minute workout that is approachable for all levels. “It’s like a dance
High Ride Cycle wins ClassPass’ Best Fitness Studio Award 2022.
party on a bike,” says Benson. “The room is dark with a wild lighting system and loud music. It’s so immersive you forget how hard you are working.”
But Benson explains that what sets them apart from other cycle studios is their community. “There is a welcoming energy as soon as you arrive at the studio,” says Benson. The studio also doesn’t talk numbers. There is no scoreboard keeping track of calories or heartrate, which Benson also says separates them from other cycle studios.
“We don’t talk about output or measurement. There is no leader board,” says Benson. “This creates an environment that makes everyone feel welcome.”
For newcomers, don’t be intimidated. Benson says a lot of what they teach in every class is for first timers. “We make our new riders feel welcomed and supported,” says Benson. “We are constantly focused on the newcomers and creating the best experience for them.”
She also explains it takes about three to five classes to get into the groove. And says their new rider special supports that with five classes for $25. “That’s how long it takes to get used to our lingo.”
When High Ride Cycle opened its first location in Sloan’s Lake, founders Megan and Scott Hanson committed themselves to teaching a one class format with hopes of being well received. Today, the Hanson’s have surpassed their expectations with 5 “Best of ClassPass” awards under their belt, two thriving studio locations, nearly 30 energetic instructors, and plans to open a third location in Denver University’s neighborhood this spring.
For more information about High Ride Cycle, please visit highridecycle.com.
High Ride Cycle Locations:
High Ride Cycle, Sloan’s Lake
1711 Sheridan Boulevard A
Edgewater, CO 80214
High Ride Cycle, Northglenn
2145 E. 120th Ave. H
Northglenn, CO 80233
High Ride Cycle, University
(coming soon)
1316 E. Evans Ave. 150
Denver, CO 80210
Photos provided by High Ride Cycle
