by Mark Smiley | Jul 22, 2016 | Travel
by Megan Carthel
Happening every Wednesday night from June 8 to August 17, the Shady Grove Picnic Series is a delightful night of local and national music talent. A crowd gathers together with picnics, friends and family, fresh air and good music. The Four Mile Historic Park adds the perfect backdrop to this almost two-decade musical tradition. So far this year, the Shady Grove Picnic Series goers have had the pleasure of hearing the musical talents of Wendy Woo and Friends, Perpetual Motion and Sweet B and Her Moonshine.
Harry Tuft and his friends played a magical set on July 13. The folksy-country sound was a perfect match for the evening’s warm breeze and shady trees. Marti Friednash, Mag Hayden, Ron Jones and Jack Stanesco joined Tuft on stage, adding not only a mix into the music, but bits of comedy. It was truly an enjoyable show for every age.
The Shady Grove Picnic Series is the perfect family night, date night or evening out of the house, and with the Em’s Ice Cream truck at every show doling out fresh and cold organic scoops of delicious home-made ice cream, it’s a great way to cool off and relax after a long, hot summer day.
These relaxing Wednesday evenings are put on by Swallow Hill Music, a non-profit organization for musicians and music lovers. Barry Osborne, mar
keting manager for Swallow Hill Music, said the Shady Grove Picnic Series is a more low-key concert that allows friends to come together, listen to music, chat, enjoy each other’s company. It’s safe to say music fans are transported to a summer oasis within the city limits. The family-friendly and laid back environment gives younger music fans the chance to experience live music. Swallow Hill Music works with Four Mile Historic Park to put together these summer staple Wednesday nights and to find emerging talent.
“The Shady Grove Picnic Series is a great way to introduce music fans to bands they might not be aware of,” Osborne said.
For the bands, it’s a chance to get in front of a larger crowd than they’re used to — with about 100 or so people gathering around the tent stage.
While the Shady Grove Picnic Series generally showcases folk music, other genres are making an appearance this year. Color, a funk, soul band driven around a guitar lending to a modern-soul sound, and The Scones, with an Americana-Ro
ck-and-Roll sound, are sure to shake up the Shady Grove scene with new and exciting sounds.
“Even though we’re known as a folk organization and present a lot of folk we feel the American music experience is broad enough we can push that,” Osborne said.
For Osborne, when everything from the audience to an energetic live band comes together, putting on these shows is amazing. “[The Shady Grove Picnic Series] feels like a hallmark of summer in Denver,” said Osborne.
Swallow Hill Music does more than put on concerts. The non-profit has a music school that employs experienced and talented musicians. Students learn a song by the end of their first class. But teaching isn’t all Swallow Hill Music does; the non-profit hosts “exceptional musical experiences” throughout the year in the Denver community. Their concerts feature up-and-coming artists, local talent and national talents who “enrich the local arts scene.”
This year, tickets are available online or at the door. An evening of great music and picnics is a steal at $12 for adults, $8 for Swallow Hill Music and Four Mile Historic Park members and kids under 12 can enjoy the music for only $2 — kids under two are free. For more information, visit Swallow Hill Music’s website swallowhillmusic.org.
by Mark Smiley | Jun 24, 2016 | Travel
by Mark Smiley
On July 23, Bonnie Brae Ice Cream will celebrate its 30th Anniversary under the same ownership and in the same building as when it first opened. Co-owner Ken Simon estimates they have scooped 8,250,000 scoops of ice cream in 30 years. Not to mention 35,000 ice cream cakes. Simon also indicates that Bonnie Brae Ice Cream is the oldest ice cream parlor under continuous ownership in Denver.
The land that Bonnie Brae Ice Cream sits on has been in Ken Simon’s family for over 70 years. In fact, before it was Bonnie Brae, it was a Dolly Madison for decades. Dolly Madison moved into the space in 1945 and finally vacated in 1986 due to dwindling business. “As tastes changed, Dolly Madison didn’t change with them,” said Simon. “At one point in time, they [Dolly Madison] had 30 stores around the city.”
When Dolly Madison moved out, Ken and his wife Judy were faced with the decision of leasing the space to another tenant or trying their hand at opening their own ice cream shop. Ken and Judy asked Bob and Cindy Pailet, whom they met in 1975 and had real estate investments with, if they would like to join as 50/50 partn
ers in the business. They agreed and the decision was made.
Judy Simon has made ice cream since she was a little girl. The two couples decided to delve into the ice cream business and took two months to renovate the space. They installed new electrical but kept the old floor and some of the old-fashioned signs you see today.
Judy took a class at Utah St. to learn how to modify her recipes for mass consumption. Her mom helped her make the ice cream in the early days making it truly a family affair. Richard Brown came on board in 1988 and after six years of assisting, he took over as head ice cream maker, a positon he holds today.
After making ice cream every day for eight years, Judy now comes in a few times per week to check on the recipes. In fact, all four owners try each batch before it is sold to the public. They also have fun coming up with recipe ideas. A new flavor is introduced every two months. In fact, some recipe ideas came from trips to Italy and France, as well as competing parlors in Colorado.
All told, Bonnie Brae Ice Cream has 130 flavors in its arsenal. Flavors rotate daily
but customers can expect 30 flavors of ice cream, two yogurts, one sorbet, and one sherbet on any given day. Sometimes, flavors are retired, but if demand from customers is high enough, they will bring a flavor back.
The most popular flavors which are always in the rotation are Capuccino Crunch, Triple Dip Chocolate, Peppermint, Vanilla, and Chocolate.
The days in the summer are hopping, as they are at many ice cream stores in Denver. It takes a lot to serve that many customers all summer and all year long. “We buy one thousand pounds of chocolate at a time and two thousand pounds of waffle cone mix,” said Simon. The ingredients are specially made for Bonnie Brae Ice Cream as well. “From day one, we decided to sell premium products,” said Simon. “We have continued to do so for 30 years.”
Aside from the massive amounts of ice cream they have produced and sold through the years, Bonnie Brae Ice Cream has employed over 550 people spanning three decades. In fact, some of the employees are second generation. Many have gone on to successful careers. And, there have even been two marriages of employees who met while working at Bonnie Brae.
Perhaps one of the most notable success stories comes from Joe Hencmann, one employee who started working at the store when he was 15. He worked through college and then on weekends until he turned 40 years of age. Last year, he and his wife started their own successful ice cream parlor in Sonoma, near San Francisco.
The ice cream business is competitive just like any other industry but Bonnie Brae has very good relationships with competing parlors, including Denver staples Liks and Little Man. Ken Simon is a fifth generation Coloradan. His great-great-grandfather came from Germany and was one of the early settlers who eventually opened a wholesale liquor distribution business in Pueblo.
Simon’s grandfather opened up a soda fountain distribution business in the early 1900s called Grauman Soda Fountain Company. There is still at least one operational in Lyons, Colorado today, Lyons Soda Fountain. So, Simon knows everyone in town and is almost universally liked.
One thing is for sure, Bonnie Brae Ice Cream will continue to provide what their customers expect and want. They do not plan to suffer the same fate as Dolly Madison did in 1986. They are focused on continuing to deliver premium products to their loyal customer base and evolve with the times.
Bonnie Brae Ice Cream is located at 799 S. University Blvd. in Denver. They are open Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Visit their website at www.bonniebraeicecream.com.
by Mark Smiley | May 27, 2016 | Travel
by Mark Smiley
Craft beer fests are popping all over the metro area and for beer enthusiasts, it seems as if there is a different one each weekend.
A sold-out crowd braved the snowy and cold weather to attend the Bacon and Beer Classic at Sports Authority Field in April. Denver is one of eight cities to host this event around the country. It started in Seattle in 2014 and they are held in sports stadiums in each participating city.
Over 20 local restaurants provided bacon dishes and over 50 regional breweries offered craft beer throughout the concourse. Guests also tried their hand at giant Jenga, struck a pose at the photo booth, battled it out on the bungee run, branded themselves with bacon and beer-inspired tattoos, and some competed in a bacon eating contest.
Much different weather drenched the first ever Craft Beer Fest at the Downtown Aquarium in May. The outdoor event in the sunny and 80-degree day featured 16 breweries including local breweries Joyride and Renegade.
This event has room to grow as the land surrounding the aquarium has room for many more breweries. Some preferred not to attend as Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s largest brewer, had several of its breweries on hand which are deemed as anything but craft beer.
Those in attendance, however, enjoyed the beautiful day and many good beers to sample. In addition, the breweries themselves were happy they participated and will be back next year.
One of the larger beer fests this summer will be Summer Brew Fest at Mile High Station on July 22 and 23, 2016. Each day features different breweries in a venue that lends itself to a high quality experience. Visit www.denverbrewfest.com/summer for more information.
On the weekend of August 6, 2016, Keystone Village will play host to the 20th Annual Bluegrass and Beer Festival. It’s the longest running beer festival in the state. Throughout the two days, attendees will be able to pair their favorite brews with free bluegrass music from Jeff Scroggins and Colorado, T Sisters, Lonely Heartstrings Band, Mason Town, Mandolin Orange, Tim O’Brien, Peter Rowan Band, Larry Keel Experience and more.
“This is a special summe
r for us at Keystone’s River Run Village,” says Maja Russer, marketing and events director for the Keystone Neighbourhood Company, the organization that coordinates and produces six summer festivals in River Run Village at Keystone Resort. “We’re proud that we were a pioneer when we started the first ‘micro-brew’ festival in Colorado 20 years ago. Since then, we’ve grown and improved the Keystone Bluegrass and Beer Festival and launched new festivals like the Mountain Town Music Festival three years ago and this year’s debut of Keystone’s River Run Village Art Festival.”
For more information on this festival, visit www.keystonefestivals.com/festivals /bluegrass-and-beer.
Also, look for our coverage on the largest beer fest in the country. The Great American Beer Fest comes to the Colorado Convention Center October 6-8, 2016. Tickets for the general public go on sale August 3, 2016. Visit www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com for more information.
by Mark Smiley | Apr 25, 2016 | Travel
by Megan Carthel
Glendale and Denver residents have been getting Naked and Afraid.
Bree Walker, Glendale resident, was Naked and Afraid in the jungle of Honduras, right along the Conrejal River.
“I got really bored one day and just filled out a paragraph online, and then I guess I qualified to go,” Walker said. “And then, a month later I was on my way.”
When Walker filled out that paragraph, she signed up for Naked and Afraid. It’s a T.V. show designed to put survivalists to the test mentally and physically. Contestants are thrown into remote locations for 21 days with only one item each and no clothes or shoes. They’re left to make their own shelters, hunt and gather their own food. Two strangers meet for the first time and have to survive together — naked.
While being naked was a shock at first to Walker, eventually everything became routine — even feasting on the philodendron fruit which can leave third degree burns along the throat if not picked at the right time.
“It became a daily routine and a lot simpler than we have here,” Walker said. “I loved not having the Internet, and I loved not having a phone, or doing my hair or makeup or anything, or what I am going to wear today.”
Walker and her partner Clarence were in the Honduras jungle during monsoon season and a blood moon, meaning light of any kind was hard to come by. Walker found refuge and sunlight near the river at what she called her “breakfast rock.” To prepare for the show, she ran the dirt trails by Arrowhead barefoot and packed on an extra 17 pounds by eating paleo meals every hour and a half. Those extra pounds didn’t last long — she lost 25 pounds throughout the entire experience. Walker made it 14 out of the 21-day challenge due to hypothermia and a 106-degree fever among other complications.
Walker and Clarence were inserted into the wilderness in late September 2015, just about a month after Walker’s 30th birthday — a present of sorts to herself.
“I think it helped me find myself because turning 30 just made me feel like, do I really know who I am, and what can I really put myself through? What can I really conquer?” Walker said.
Walker discovered her own inner strength, realizing she could do much more than her partner could. After her experience she said she threw away the body shaming and pressure society often puts on women. Her journey in the jungle taught her she was stronger and more independent than she thought, something she wants women and girls to see within themselves.
“Don’t let anybody tell you not to do something. Go try it and find out for yourself because you’re strong enough,” Walker said.
Walker isn’t the only local resident who was strong enough to be naked and afraid. Matt Wright, a Denver resident and survival expert, also went on the show. His episode aired April 24, 2016. Wright’s episode was filmed in Thailand in November 2014. When it came to being afraid, he wasn’t, but when it came to being naked, things were a little different at first.
“You really realize you have nothing to defend yourself,” Wright said.
Both Walker and Wright said being naked made them feel more vulnerable, but any awkwardness quickly dissipated as the focus switched to survival, food, water and shelter.
“When I was out there, the most peaceful thing was that those were the four things I had to worry about. That was it. Yeah, it was tough as heck, but if I was there a little bit longer and would’ve had that warmth, it would’ve just clicked,” Walker said.
And when it comes to the partners?
“It was the hardest forced relationship you could imagine,” Wright said.
The camera and sound crew only film the contestants a few hours each day, and for the remainder of the time, they are completely alone. Wright said his partner became his best friend because she was his only friend. Wright didn’t forget about his girlfriend Brooke back in Denver however. On the show he recorded a proposal to her after reading a special note she sent with him tucked away in his knife. Their wedding is set for late July.
Walker’s partner was a little more distant — they didn’t share a shelter, a first in the show’s history. Her partner refused consolation by Walker when he was frightened in the middle of the night by growling in the jungle — his own stomach growling. While Wright may have been more prepared than his partner was, they worked together to survive, and he gained a new outlook on people.
“[The experience] opened up a huge window where I believe now anybody is capable of anything,” Wright said.
Wright’s outlook on negative situations has changed too, frequently seeing that “it could be worse.” For Walker, being back in the real world made her realize how much everything was about time and that she was born under a wandering star.
Despite hundreds of bug bites, lost weight, infections and hospitalization, Walker and Wright say they would do the show again “in a heartbeat.” Walker’s show will air May 29 on the Discovery Channel.n
by Mark Smiley | Mar 25, 2016 | Travel
Hundreds Flock To Collaboration Fest In Denver And Gear Up For Bacon And Beer Classic In April
by Phil Kummer
Special Blend: David Lin and Marks Lanham from Comrade Brewing collaborated with Mike H from Fat Head’s Brewery in Ohio to brew Lupulin Manifesto IPA.
Colorado has been at the heart of the craft beer explosion over the past decade and has over 235 craft breweries. Closer to home in the Cherry Creek/Southeast Denver area one can suck down some craft brewed suds at no fewer than 11 establishments, most of which are no more than a few years old.
Although craft beer is becoming increasingly popular, beer is actually one of the oldest prepared beverages and might have been made as early as 9500 BC, when cereal grains were first harvested. Archeologists have dated beer made from barley to about 3500-3000 BC in western Iran, and hops were first used in Europe around 800 AD by monks. Just about any grain, vegetable or fruit that contains sugar can undergo alcoholic fermentation and has thus been used somewhere around the world to make beer. By 2006 the global beer industry had revenues of about $295 billion, yes that is billion. It’s obvious that what ancient peoples discovered has turned out to be a pretty good idea.
This ancient beverage is now the rage and with all this new popularity comes new career opportunities, the most important being that of brewmaster. To understand this now popular occupation we consulted with David Lin, owner, and Marks Lanham, brewmaster, of the award-winning Comrade Brewing Company. They have a combined total of about 24 years in the craft beer business and most of that time has been on-the-job training. They have been running Comrade since April of 2014.
The passion for beer and beer drinking is fundamental to be a successful Brewmaster and can’t be taught. You can’t get it by going to school. It’s important to love your end product and be proud of it. It means enjoying the beer that you and other craft brewers make and sometimes having a beer for breakfast just because you feel like it.
Once you have harnessed the passion for beer there is still a long way to go to actually making a good tasting craft beer. “We make beer we enjoy drinking and what we drink, we sell,” said David Lin. Being a brewmaster is a unique combination of skills and attitudes that all play a role in one’s ability to make a highly drinkable brew. It’s like being an artist and scientist at the same time, like being left brained and right brained on demand. The brewmaster must have the creativity of a chef to develop new tastes in beer along with the skills and focus of operations director to make sure that the beer comes out just right.
The brewmaster must learn to manage his suppliers which means having good relationships with suppliers around the country to provide agricultural products. Depending on weather and harvest conditions this can be a challenge. It once took David two years of working with a supplier to get a specific kind of hops for his beer. One advantage of working in the craft brewery business is the sense of community among brewers. One brewer coming to the aid of another brewer with a needed ingredient is a common thing and helps foster a unique sense of community.
To highlight this fraternity of craft brewers, Denver recently held its 3rd Annual Collaboration Beer Fest on the club level of Sports Authority Field. Collaboration is all about sharing brewing experience and technique to join the perfect ingredients. Brewers come together to decide exactly what yeast to use with what fruit, what type of malt works best with what barrel, or what hops will contribute to the perfect aroma.
Comrade collaborated with Fat Head’
s Brewery from Portland, Oregon, as well as Cannonball Creek and Station 26 breweries. The Bull & Bush collaborated with Little Machine from Jefferson Park neighborhood in Denver. Recently crowned Best New Brewery in the United States, Weldwerks Brewing out of Greeley, collaborated with Snowbank Brewing Company from Fort Collins, to produce a barrel-aged mocha stout.
Attendees of the fest were able to sample more than 85 craft brews and some are now available in the respective tap rooms. All in all, 151 breweries from five countries and 20 states were on hand to share their rare creations.
Whether a collaboration or in a day’s work, once all of the ingredients are in hand, the brewmaster has to carefully control and monitor a biological process, fermentation, that usually takes a couple of weeks but can be much longer. This means spending a lot time at the brewery, usually 60 to 70 hours a week. This is a totally hands-on type job.
Last, but by no means least, the brewmaster has to be an absolute clean freak because he knows that contamination is the worst thing that can happen to a batch of beer. So the brewmaster spends the majority of his time cleaning tanks and equipment to ensure that everything is clean all the time. Marks 
Lanham remarked, “Cleaning is 95% of the job.”
The craft brewing industry has grown so much that you can now get a degree or certificate at a few colleges here in Colorado and about dozen colleges throughout the U.S. At Metropolitan State University of Denver you can major in Brewery Operations or Brew Pub Operations. Colorado State University offers a BS in Fermentation Science and Technology and Regis University offers a certificate in Applied Craft Brewing. It appears that the art of craft brewing has come of age.
To highlight this art, after drawing sold-out crowds across the country, the Bacon and Beer Classic is coming to Denver on Saturday, April 16, for a unique gastronomic experience inside Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
Bacon and Beer: Sports Authority Field will play host to the Bacon and Beer Classic on April 16, 2016 for the first time. Visit www.baconandbeerclassic.com for more information.
Over 30 local restaurants will provide bacon dishes and over 50 regional breweries will offer craft beer throughout the concourse. Kate Levenstien, founder of Cannonball Productions and the Bacon and Beer Classic, is looking forward to hosting the Classic at Sports Authority Field for the first time. “With some of the best craft breweries in the country, Denver is a dream city for this festival. It is easy to find an incredible selection of local brewers and restaurants. Pair that with die-hard Broncos fans and we’ve got everything all in one spot!”
In addition to the all-star lineup of local breweries and restaurants, a panel of judges will be on site to rate the sips and tastes and award winners in select categories. The restaurant awarded the Best Overall Bacon Dish will go on to compete in the 2016 World Food Championships in Kissimmee, Florida.
So, after you’ve downed a couple of beers at your favorite craft brewery you might reflect on what it actually takes to make your favorite beverage and realize that the brewmaster could be the next rock star in your neighborhood.
by Mark Smiley | Feb 29, 2016 | Travel
by Megan Carthel
According to the United Nations, one in three women will be beaten or raped in their lifetime, and for the past four years many of those women in Colorado showed up at One Billion Rising, a rally against violence toward women.
One Billion Rising is the largest mass action to end and bring awareness to violence against women. The name comes from the statistic of one-in-three. With the world’s population, that totals one billion women who will be beaten or victims of rape. One Billion Rising is leading the initiative to not only make victims survivors, but for violence to no longer be a threat to women.
Each year has had a theme, and this year was centered around the idea of revolution. This year’s rally focused on marginalized women, a call for people to rise for others and international issues such as human trafficking. Here in Colorado, Caitlin Brozna-Smith and her company Bella Diva Dance organized the event. For her, the initiative is personal. Three years ago, just as One Billion Rising was getting started, one of her dancers was almost fatally shot by her ex-fiancé.
“We’re going to rally for our dancer, and we’re going to come together and stand up saying this is not okay,” Brozna-Smith said.
On Valentine’s Day this year, over 200
women, men, girls and boys of all ages gathered to hear stories of survivors of rape and domestic abuse. They danced and marched around Denver to raise awareness. Dancing, Brozna-Smith said, is way of expressing unashamed emotion and reclaiming a sense of confidence. Activists and participants across the world dance the same dance on the same day to bring awareness. Brozna-Smith and Bella Diva Dance put a global spin on it, pulling dancing techniques from Bollywood, belly dancing and dance techniques from around the world.
“People are using their bodies because that’s what was violated.”
Bella Diva Dance has been a participant in One Billion Rising ever since one of their own was a victim of domestic violence, but this is Brozna-Smith’s first year heading the rally.
“It’s been very moving in terms of how many people who you actually get to discover this is happening to, and I think it’s something that needs to be talked about more,” Brozna-Smith said.
Tangi Lancaster and her husband Stephan w
ere both victims of abuse and attended the One Billion Rising rally in Denver. As parents of boys, they feel a need to teach them about body awareness and the power of “no.”
“When they say no, no means no, and I think that starts at a very young age. And we need to engrain that,” Tangi said. “When they do get older and they are around other children who no doesn’t mean no, they can be an advocate, and that’s really why I like to bring them too. So that they know they have a voice, and that they know how to use it.”
For Stephan, he’s there to support his wife and the other billion women who’ve experienced abuse — their entire family wearing matching shirts.
“I know that having my wife at the end of the day having us all dancing together, supporting her, her making these shirts, us all wearing them and me proudly wearing it — I think that’s the part for me that makes me feel good,” Stephan said. “She knows that I’m there for her, and she knows that she’s protected for sure. I would never let anybody ever hurt her again.”
Brozna-Smith wants more men like Stephan to be involved. She said until more men get involved, domestic violence will continue to be a women’s issue. Katee Valverde attended the rally as a victim and survivor. Standing up against violence, toward either gender, is something she feels passionate about.
“I’m here because I’m one in three. I’ve been abused, victimized. I’ve been assaulted. And it’s time to not be quiet anymore,” Valverde said. “It’s too many victims. It doesn’t matter what gender. They’re victims.”
Domestic violence is a prevalent issue around the globe and in Colorado. According to the National Coalition against Domestic Violence, 16,700 people reported at least one domestic violence crime in 2014, and 25 Coloradans were killed by their current or former intimate partners. In a more staggering statistic, the NCADV found that 1,018 people were abducted by current or former intimate partners in 2014, and half of those were abducted by current or former dating partners.
