by Mark Smiley | Jul 24, 2025 | Uncategorized
by Mark Smiley
Easy To Use: The NAMA J3 Cold Press Juicer features a hands-off operation. It allows one to load the hopper and walk away.
The Nama J3 Cold Press Juicer is a relatively new model that’s gained attention for its compact design, ease of use, and slow cold press technology. The Nama J3 is a compact, hands‑off cold press (masticating) juicer, delivering premium juice quality, ideal for small kitchens, travel, or single‑serve batches.
It’s dimensions are 8.9” × 6.5” × 15.4” and weighs 9.7 pounds. It is equipped with a 130 W motor and an auger that spins at 50 RPM. It has a 8–16 oz per hopper load depending on produce. It comes complete with a hopper, fine and coarse strainers, auger, juice and pulp containers, cleaning brush, and a recipe booklet. And it all arrives in sustainable, well-designed packaging and BPA-free materials.
Portable: Weighing in at less than 10 pounds, the NAMA J3 Cold Press Juicer is easy to transport and has a small profile on the kitchen counter.
One of the key features is the hands-off operation. You can literally load the hopper and walk away. It processes all ingredients without constant supervision and when the lid is opened, it pauses and resumes automatically. It is quiet and has a versatile output. The two strainers offer control over pulp levels. The NAMA J3 is a compact machine but packs a powerful punch and is effective with leafy greens, ginger, nuts, and even nut milk.
The machine is easy to clean with only light rinsing required. Although parts rinse well, none are dishwasher‑safe. The warranty is 15 years and is priced at $450 at time of press. NAMA does not sell their products at any physical retailers. To ensure you’re buying safely, always buy directly through their website or an authorized retailer: Discount Juicers or Amazon (sold by Namawell). For more information visit www.namawell.com/products/nama-j3-cold-press-juicer.
by Mark Smiley | Jun 20, 2025 | Uncategorized
Ideal For Dedicated Coffee Fans Who Enjoy A Proper Home Brewed Cup
by Mark Smiley
Making pour-over coffee at home is becoming more popular as prices rise at coffee shops around the Cherry Creek valley. Besides the savings, pour-over coffee at home offers several other advantages. It offers superior flavor control with control over the water temperature, coffee grind size, and brewing time. This results in a cleaner, more nuanced cup with clarity and complexity often lost in automatic machines.
Pour-over coffees also offer a level of freshness. You’re likely using freshly ground beans and filtered water. The result is a more aromatic, flavorful cup compared to pre-ground or store-bought coffee.
If you’re particular about taste or enjoy the craft of coffee making, pour-over is hard to beat. However, one disadvantage would be the time it takes to make those cups at home. That is where the xBloom Studio machine comes into play. xBloom is a premium specialty coffee system designed for home baristas who care about precision, flavor, and convenience. If you want café-quality pour-over with automation and the ability to customize every variable, this machine is worth a look.
xBloom Studio is an automated pour-over coffee machine with a built-in burr grinder, scale, and touchscreen. It supports three brewing modes: Autopilot, Copilot, and FreeSolo. The autopilot allows you to tap an NFC “xPod” card to pull a roaster-curated recipe, and the machine handles grind, water temp, pour pattern, and timing. The copilot mode allows for use of your own beans and the ability to customize every parameter via the xBloom app. The FreeSolo mode offers complete manual control using the machine’s onboard dials, grinder, and scale.
The system uses biodegradable whole-bean “xPods” with embedded RFID chips to automatically load brewing profiles; you can also pour in your own beans or use a Kalita dripper.
“As a dad of two, convenience is everything — and this machine delivers,” said Mark P., a Verified buyer of the xBloom Studio. “It’s incredibly easy time feels like a treat. I’m seriously wondering why I didn’t buy this earlier.”
The xBloom Studio has a built-in 48 mm conical burr grinder, 0‑2 kg scale (0.1 g resolution), touchscreen, and metal dials on the front for precise adjustments. With all of the components, it features a small footprint and is a sleek and stylish machine that looks good in any kitchen and does not take up a lot of space.
It features precision pouring and heats water instantly via nanofilm heating and delivers water in circular patterns while gently agitating the dripper for even extraction. The xBloom app connects via Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth to set up brew recipes, control every variable, monitor grind.
The xBloom Studio is one of the most advanced home pour-over systems available. It’s a strong pick for dedicated coffee fans who appreciate control and quality in a sleek package.
At time of press, the xBloom Studio retails for $599. Chronicle readers can use promo code Glendale-20 to receive $20 off their purchase. Visit www.xbloom.com to learn more and to purchase.
by Mark Smiley | Jan 16, 2025 | Uncategorized
by Mark Smiley
January 9, 2025, marked the first Thursday for the Amtrak Winter Park Express to operate under its new regular service schedule. And January 13 marked the first Monday that the train runs regularly.
The new Thursday and Monday runs, which will last until March 31, are in addition to the usual Friday, Saturday, and Sunday service that passengers have come to expect of the ski train.
The new five-days-a-week service, which also comes with lower fares, is a result of increased funding from the Colorado Department of Transportation. The route, which runs from Denver Union Station to the slopes at the Winter Park Resort, also stops at the Fraser-Winter Park station.
“We hope Coloradans and visitors to our state will take advantage of this expanded service,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “Folks riding the Winter Park Express can bring their skis, boards, and gear at no additional cost, and there are two more train cars now to carry more people and their stuff.
“With fares more than 40% less than previous years, this is a great deal.”
In addition to being able to purchase food and beverages aboard the Winter Park Express, passengers can enjoy panoramic views of the Rockies from the Sightseer Lounge car.
The train departs Denver Union Station at 7 a.m. and arrives at Winter Park at 9:11 a.m. The return trip departs from Fraser-Winter Park station at 4:05 p.m., then departs Winter Park Resort station at 4:35 p.m. and arrives in Denver at 7:05 p.m. One-way fares start at $19 or $9.50 for kids. For tickets, go to amtrak.com/winterparkexpress.
by Mark Smiley | Oct 18, 2024 | Uncategorized
Silver & Gold: The Bull & Bush Brewery won gold for Ghoul Fuel – Rum Diaries Edition and silver for Temporary Paradise – Rum Diaries Edition, both in the Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer category at this year’s Great American Beer Festival competition.
Happy Crew: The Launch Pad crew shortly after winning a gold medal for Silver Medal Worthy, a Belgian Golden Strong Golden Ale.
The Great American Beer Festival was held the weekend of October 12, 2024, at the Colorado Convention Center. The Brewers Association once again hosted one of the world’s most prestigious and influential beer competitions. And, two Chamber breweries, Bull & Bush Brewery and Launch Pad Brewery, brought home medals. Colorado breweries and cideries won 41 medals all together, topping last year’s haul of 40 for the centennial state.
The 38th edition of the GABF competition featured 8,836 beers judged among 1,869 breweries and cideries. There were 285 judges blind taste testing these beers and they awarded 326 total medals. The winning beers in more than 100 categories were announced at the Bellco Theatre in Denver on Saturday, October 12.
“The Great American Beer Festival continues its commitment to recognizing exceptional beverages from across the country in the 2024 competition,” said Chris Williams, competition director for the Brewers Association. “With the addition of five new cider categories, we’re pleased to recognize the best of the best in beer and beyond. Congratulations to this year’s winners.”
Among those winners were the Bull & Bush Brewery, who won gold and silver medals in the same category. This is a feat that experts don’t remember ever happening. The Glendale brewery won gold for Ghoul Fuel – Rum Diaries Edition and silver for Temporary Paradise – Rum Diaries Edition, both in the Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer category.
“Brewing can be humbling, said Erik Peterson, owner of the Bull & Bush Brewery. “Aging beer in wood barrels is a singular and humbling exercise in passion, skill, and patience. The Bull & Bush Brewery team of Gabe, Josh, and Nick have each brought all of these skills together as a team. All together we celebrate a silver and GOLD in the Wood Aged Beer category!”
Different Layout: This year’s festival featured different sections which is different from layouts of years past. Photo courtesy of the Brewers Association
Gabe Moline, Head Brewer at the Bull & Bush Brewery adds: “The multi-year G.A.B.F. drought is over for the Bull & Bush crew. Two beers, same category, gold and silver … incredible. Maybe the secret is out after 27 years of brewing at the world famous Bull & Bush?”
Another proud Chamber member, Launch Pad Brewery, also won a gold medal at the competition. Silver Medal Worthy, a Belgian Golden Strong Golden Ale dry-hopped with HBC 586 hops, won a gold medal in the American-Belgo-Style Ale category.
“We always knew Silver Medal Worthy was something special, but to take home the gold at the Great American Beer Festival is an incredible honor,” said Paul Mahoney, Co-Owner/Head Brewer for Launch Pad Brewery. “It just goes to show that sometimes aiming for silver brings home the gold.”
The festival itself had a different layout with separate sections with breweries lined up alphabetically. The sections included Blast Off, Fright, Prost, and others which featured a different theme in each. Attendees were initially confused on how to find their favorite breweries or ones they wanted to try. Once they navigated through the convention entry hall, it became more obvious.
Next year’s festival is set for October 9-11, 2025. For more information, visit www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com.
by Mark Smiley | Aug 23, 2024 | Uncategorized
$2,000 To Be Presented To Deserving Educators For Classroom Expenses Biweekly
by Mark Smiley
Contributions: A snapshot of what local McDonald’s contribute to the state economy.
Rocky Mountain McDonald’s Owner/Operators are once again providing K-12 teachers the opportunity to apply for $2,000 to improve the learning experiences for their students during the 2024-2025 school year. The program is going into its third school year. A class will be selected every other week when school is in session, equating to 16 school presentations per school year and $32,000 going to local teachers to help with classroom expenses. To date, the program has already awarded educators in the Rocky Mountain area $58,000. “
K-12 educators can apply for these funds through a simple application found by logging on to rmoa-one-class.squarespace.com. Those who apply should be prepared to answer the question, “How would you use this money to improve the learning opportunities for your students?”
“It’s a great program and I have been on the team all three years,” said Brian Boselli, McDonald’s Owner/Operator. “I have been part of a of couple presentations myself. It’s fantastic seeing the big smiles on the teachers faces. Our teachers do so much for the kids. Often times they need to spend some of their own hard earned money on school supplies. This is a way we can help them out.”
Local operators like Boselli are supported by The Ronald McDonald House Charities which have three locations in Colorado: Aurora, Denver, and Colorado Springs. “We work closely with local McDonald’s Owner/Operators in the region and are so grateful not only for the monetary donations they and their customers make each year, but also for their volunteer hours,” said Laura Cordes, CEO, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Denver. “We often have volunteers from McDonald’s at our Houses helping serve dinner to our families, answer phones for our annual radiothon, and serve on our Board of Directors.”
McDonald’s Owner/Operators are residents who live and work in their communities, sending their kids to local schools and running their businesses just like any other small business. They employ over 13,000 people locally and make over $75 million in local supplier purchases annually, contributing to the local economy.
“Mile Hi Foods is a distributor within the Rocky Mountain Region for the McDonald’s brand and has supplied the local, Denver, owner/operator community for over
One Class At A Time: K-12 teachers have the opportunity to apply for $2,000 to improve the learning experiences for their students during the 2024-2025 school year through McDonald’s One Class a Time program.
100 years,” said Kristy Taddonio, President at Mile Hi Companies. “The company provides three hundred plus job opportunities, purchases goods such as fresh produce from Colorado farms and meats from local companies, and helps to reduce carbon emissions within the city as part of the McDonald’s and Mile Hi sustainability plan. Mile Hi Foods values its great partnership with McDonald’s and its relationship with the Colorado community.”
The local operators donate their time, food, and money regularly to community organizations and schools. McDonald’s Rocky Mountain region includes approximately 45 local franchisees who care about their communities where they do business and that’s how “One Class at a Time” was hatched: the desire to help where it’s needed the most. Overall, there are 200 McDonald’s in the state, employing over 16,300 people. All of them are locally owned and operated.
Local Owner/Operators have supported the Colorado Parent Teacher Association for over 18 years. They also support communities through their 27+ year partnership with the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and their Annual “Academy Awards” and Scholarships Event in Denver and their ongoing support of the Colorado Hispanic Chamber and their support of local schools, just to name a few.
For more information on the Ronal McDonald House Charities Denver, visit rmhc-denver.org.
by Mark Smiley | Jun 26, 2024 | Uncategorized
By Mark Smiley
On June 25, 2024, Styx and Foreigner performed at the Ball Arena for their Denver stop on The Renegades & Juke Box Heroes tour. This was the first time the bands toured together in 10 years. Styx opened with a 13-song set followed by Foreigner’s 10 song set. John Waite started the evening off with an 8-song set that included his solo hit “Missing You” and “When I See You Smile,” the hit from Bad English.
Styx and Foreigner trade headlining on this tour and both bands sounded as good as they ever have. One note, is that none of the original members of Foreigner performed at Ball Arena. They will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this Fall. Styx has been eligible for the Hall of Fame since 1998 but curiously has never been nominated despite having a string of hits and selling over 54 million albums worldwide.
Styx started their set with “Grand Illusion” and ended with “Mr. Roboto” and “Renegade” with all of their hits in between including “Lady,” “Blue Collar Man,” and “Come Sail Away.” Foreigner started with “Double Vision” and ened with an encore of “I Want to Know What Love is” and “Hot Blooded.”
Since 1999, Styx has averaged over 100 shows per year and they have no signs of stopping. Foreigner announced this was their farewell tour. All three acts left the audience singing, dancing, and enjoying good rock and roll music for what ended up being a solid show.
For more information visit Foreigneronline.com and StyxWorld.com. To see more dates on the tour, visit livenation.com.
