Colorado Springs, CO April 2026

ADD LIFE TO YOUR YEARS

PERSONALIZED LONGEVITY CARE AT STRATA MED

Healthcare isn’t just about preventing or treating disease, it’s about optimizing how you feel, function, and live every day. At Strata Med, we use advanced, evidence-based diagnostics to create personalized wellness plans designed to support longevity, vitality, and performance.

Strata is excited to introduce the new PNOE® breath analysis, a clinical-grade metabolic test that evaluates 23 biomarkers to assess cardiac, pulmonary, metabolic, and systemic health. Strata Med is one of the first clinics in Colorado offering this innovative technology.

CALL 719-689-8493 TO START YOUR PERSONALIZED LONGEVITY PLAN. StrataWell.com

616 SOUTH TEJON

THE ART OF DINING MULTIPLIED BY THREE

Investment

Investment.

For many of us, the word conjures images of spreadsheets, retirement funds and careful deposits into bank accounts. Those are important, of course—but some of the most meaningful investments in life rarely appear on a statement.

Sometimes, investment looks like confidence. Dental care, for example, is more than cosmetic; it’s an investment in a smile that changes how we show up in the world. Sometimes, it’s about vision—quite literally—when we invest in the landscaping or outdoor spaces that transform a house into a place that restores us every time we walk through the door.

Other investments are quieter. A wellness class, a walk in the forest, or simply carving out time for reflection can be a powerful commitment to our health and well-being. Art, too, is an investment—not only in an object, but in inspiration and perspective that enrich daily life.

And then there are the investments we make in community. A new coffee lounge, a creative rolled ice cream shop, or a favorite sushi spot isn’t just a place to eat or drink; it’s a place to gather, celebrate and connect.

True investment isn’t only about growing money. It’s about growing a life—one thoughtful choice, meaningful experience and shared moment at a time.

We invite you to browse this month's issue of Colorado Springs Lifestyle Magazine for great stories about all of the above and more.

Happy April, dear readers!

ASHLEY HAMERSHOCK, EDITOR

April 2026

PUBLISHER

Scott Barr | scott.barr@citylifestyle.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Stephanie Barr | stephanie.barr@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Ashley Hamershock ashley.hamershock@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Jacey Blue Renner coloradosprings@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ashley Hamershock, Rochelle Reeder, Cara Buckacek, Jacey Blue Renner, Jessi Scoletti, Brandy Lovelace, Linden Butrym

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Peak Thyme Creative, Abby Santurbane Photography, Kristy Kensinger, Rudi Ramos, Margarett Hansen Photography, Kira Whitney Photography, Scott Brown, Jane Scanlon, Above the Clouds Forest Bathing, The Elan Studio, Karen Mitchell

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle Learn

3:5-6

JULIE KAY DESIGN STUDIO

business monthly

Face Foundrie

Join FACE FOUNDRIÉ this spring as they celebrate the grand reopening of the Colorado Springs location! It's a new chapter to welcome the community back with refreshed energy and a first look at what’s new. Celebrate, meet the team and treat your skin to the glow it deserves. Follow along on Instagram (@facefoundrie and @kaitlin.facefoundrie) for event details.  facefoundrie.com/location/colorado-springs

Scan to read more

Final Approach: Half-Off at The Aviator

Happy hour hits new heights at The Aviator at Hotel Polaris. Enjoy 50 percent off most drinks on the menu, while taking in sweeping views that stretch as far as the eye can see. From vibrant classics to inventive signature sips, each cocktail is crafted with care and best enjoyed as the sun dips low. Great views, even better cocktails; this is happy hour... elevated. Tuesdays through Thursdays from 4-5 pm. thehotelpolaris.com

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Birding 102: Intermediate Birding

Ready to take your birding up a notch? Head to Bear Creek Nature Center on April 9 and 11 for a two-part class and birding walk for intermediate birders. Sharpen your ID skills, dive deeper into bird behavior and habitats, brush up on birding ethics/history and explore gear and field guide options. This course features a weekday evening class, followed by birding in the field the next weekend. $10 for both days.  parks.elpasoco.com/el-paso-county-nature-centers/ nature-center-public-programs

CAPTURING THE VISION

“So… you’re going to move out to Colorado and mow lawns?” Sheldon Funk remembers his father asking with a mixture of disbelief and perhaps a little concern.

Sunflower Landscapes, founded in 2006, started with little more than a wheelbarrow, a shovel and a half-ton truck.

HARD WORK + ATTENTION TO DETAIL

Funk, Dustin Hamilton and another college friend moved to Colorado Springs after visiting while competing on the track team for Fort Hayes State University and falling in love with the area. Growing up on a farm in Kansas, Funk learned early the value of hard work, attention to detail and seeing a job through. Hamilton, co-owner and manager, had similar lessons ingrained by his father, a woodworker who emphasized integrity

and doing what you say you’re going to do. With no prior knowledge of landscaping, but enough initiative and resourcefulness to dive into books and learn as they went, they were up and running.

“Work didn’t scare us,” Hamilton says, matter-of-factly. “We liked being outside. It’s all we knew.”

They leaned on their new-found relationships with suppliers and vendors and quickly became experts in their field.

“Green side up!” Funk laughs, recalling the first time they installed sod.

LISTEN FIRST, THEN BUILD

Over the years, their once-small operation has grown into a full-service landscaping company with a trusted team of designers, installers and maintenance crews. Today, more than 45 employees handle residential, commercial and development projects across the region.

From the beginning, the company’s philosophy has been clear: listen first, then build.

Every project starts with understanding the client. How will they use the space? What dreams do they have? And what challenges does the property present?

CREATING DYNAMIC, FUNCTIONAL SPACES

“Our job is to capture the vision and then bring it to life,” Funk explains. “Every space is different, and every client has a story. Our job is to translate that into functional, beautiful landscaping that respects both their budget and the land.”

From the rugged mountains to the rolling foothills of Colorado Springs, the environment isn’t just a backdrop, it plays a central role in Sunflower Landscapes’ designs. The team emphasizes outdoor living spaces that feel like extensions of their surroundings, blending hard-scaping and soft-scaping, fire pits, water features,

“Every space is different, and every client has a story. Our job is to translate that into functional, beautiful landscaping that respects both their budget and the land.”

—Sheldon Funk

and integrated lighting in ways that are both artistic and practical. Steep slopes, drainage issues and challenging terrain are seen not as obstacles but as opportunities to create dynamic, functional spaces.

“We want every yard to feel like it belongs to the Colorado landscape,” Hamilton says. “It’s about intentionality.”

Funk adds, “We see every space as an opportunity to make the outdoors more appealing than the inside, while building something that lasts and works for the way people live.”

SUSTAINABILITY + COMMUNITY

Sustainability and community are at the heart of everything they do. Waterwise designs, xeriscaping and careful adherence to HOA and city requirements ensure that each project respects both the environment and

the neighborhood. For Funk and Hamilton, it’s personal. They’ve made Colorado Springs their home, raising families here and investing in the community that welcomed them. Their commercial work, from street-scapes to HOA common areas, demonstrates the same attention to detail and craftsmanship as their residential projects.

Over the years, they’ve built more than landscapes. They’ve built trust, loyalty, and a reputation for turning dreams into outdoor realities.

“That’s been our motto from day one: take care of the work, respect the land, and enjoy the process,” Hamilton says.

Address + Phone: 1925 Aeroplaza Dr.  |  719-661-5049

Website: sunflower-landscapes.com

Facebook: @SunflowerLandscapes

Instagram: @SunflowerLandscapesCO

ARTICLE BY ROCHELLE REEDER PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARGARETT HANSEN PHOTOGRAPHY & KIRA WHITNEY PHOTOGRAPHY

The Alignment Advantage

THE STUDIO FOR EXCEPTIONAL DENTISTRY: A CONVERSATION WITH DR. ANDREW HALL

When we first began discussing this feature with Dr. Andrew Hall from The Studio for Exceptional Dentistry, one theme kept surfacing: self-investment.

Not vanity.

Not cosmetic perfection.

But alignment, in every sense of the word.

Dr. Hall was particularly interested in exploring the “why” behind smile upgrades. And especially among men; a demographic that often prioritizes career, family and performance while quietly sidelining their own self-care. What emerged was less about straight teeth and more about presence, health and personal standards.

"A healthy, balanced smile suggests precision. It signals someone who values details and doesn’t overlook the small things."

CONFIDENCE + PERCEPTION

Q: When you think about high-stakes or milestone moments, how does a smile fit into someone’s overall presence?

Dr. Hall:  When someone’s smile is dialed in, everything else just flows. Most people have had the experience of seeing a photo from an important event and immediately zeroing in on a small imperfection, a misaligned tooth, or a gap, instead of remembering the impact they made.

That kind of visual noise becomes a distraction. It pulls them out of the moment. When the barrier is removed, there’s a noticeable shift. They’re more present. They’re not editing themself in real time. That presence changes how a person carries themself.

THE PROFESSIONAL EDGE

Q: In your experience, does a smile influence how authority or credibility is perceived, even if it is subtle?

Dr. Hall:  Many of the men I work with have spent decades refining their leadership skills, building businesses and cultivating a professional image that reflects their success. If their smile hasn’t kept pace, there can be a subtle disconnect.

A healthy, balanced smile suggests precision. It signals someone who values details and doesn’t overlook the small things. That congruence between how you present yourself and what you’ve accomplished reinforces credibility.

SOCIAL EASE

Q: Beyond professional settings, what do you notice socially when someone feels self-conscious about their teeth or smile?

Dr. Hall:  There’s a specific kind of charisma that comes from an uninhibited laugh. If someone instinctively raises a hand to their mouth or suppresses a reaction because they’re self-conscious, that’s a form of restraint.

When that hesitation disappears, social interactions feel lighter and more natural. It isn’t about vanity. It’s about freedom. The freedom to engage without second guessing.

CONTINUED >

ON HEALTH AS WEALTH

Q: You’ve made it clear this goes beyond aesthetics. How does alignment connect to overall health?

Dr. Hall:  This is where the conversation becomes much bigger than aesthetics. We talk about the ‘oral-systemic link’ because your mouth is the gateway to your body. Misalignment can create hidden pockets that harbor bacteria. Over time, that contributes to chronic inflammation, and inflammation doesn’t stay local. It can impact cardiovascular health and even how efficiently you digest food.

When we correct alignment, we’re not just straightening teeth, it’s preventative maintenance. It reduces inflammatory burden and protects the infrastructure of long-term health.

THE ROI OF A SMILE

Q: Some might hesitate in choosing this option because it can be seen as cosmetic. How do you frame dental aesthetics as an investment rather than an expense?

Dr. Hall:  A man who understands value knows his greatest asset is his vitality and influence. Unlike material purchases that depreciate, an investment in your smile pays dividends every day.

It sharpens your edge. It protects your health. It reduces that lowgrade self-consciousness that can run quietly in the background. Over time, those returns compound.

Ultimately, it’s an investment in your most important brand—yourself.

Address + Phone: 13453 Voyager Parkway  |  719-481-8250

Website: drandrewhall.com

Facebook: @DrAndrewHall

Instagram: @Dr_AndrewHall

WHERE FLAVOR MEETS ARTISTRY

FUJIYAMA: SERVING THE COLORADO SPRINGS COMMUNITY SINCE 1998

“I want to be confident that anything served to the customers is something that I would happily eat myself.”

In 1962, Colorado Springs in the United States and Fujiyoshida in Japan officially established a Sister City agreement. This partnership was created to strengthen friendship and cultural exchange between the two communities, centered around their iconic mountains—Pikes Peak and Mount Fuji—which symbolize the identity and pride of each region. ~City of Colorado Springs

“The name, Fujiyama, was chosen to represent Mount Fuji—a symbol of strength, tradition, and endurance,” Nancy Jang (manager) and Minji Suh (owner) said via email. “Our restaurant name reflects the spirit of connection between Japan and Colorado Springs, honoring both cultures while serving the local community. We feel proud to be a part of a city that shares this historical relationship with Japan.”

COMMUNITY RESPECT & DEVOTION

Located in the heart of Colorado Springs at 22 Tejon Street, Fujiyama has been serving the community of Colorado Springs since 1998, making it one of the longest-operating sushi restaurants in the city.

Fujiyama has earned the respect and devotion of the local community through consistency, leadership, passion, hospitality and customer appreciation.

Suh and Jang have worked together on and off since 1998 and have built Fujiyama together over the last 28 years.

“We often joke about our leadership dynamic: Minji is like the ‘father,’ strong, firm, and a decisive leader,” (Nancy) Jang says. “Nancy is like the ‘mother,’ providing warmth, comfort, and support for both staff and customers. This balance has created a family-like environment within the restaurant that guests can truly feel when they visit.”

QUALITY CONTROL

Fresh, high-quality ingredients are a top priority at Fujiyama. Suh has always enjoyed eating fresh fish and can be found at the restaurant almost daily, enjoying a meal.

“I want to be confident that anything served to the customers is something that I would happily eat myself,” Suh says.

Their philosophy on quality control is simple and sincere:

• Fresh, high quality ingredients

• Consistent, carefully prepared sushi and sashimi

• A welcoming atmosphere where customers feel appreciated

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION + COMMUNITY

Suh and Jang understand that their community is a huge part of their ongoing success. During the pandemic when several downtown restaurants were forced to close permanently, they were able to survive, thanks to the support of loyal customers.

“We love to share how important our regular guests and community support

have been over the years,” Jang and Suh said via email. “We show our appreciation through service, quality, and long standing traditions like our Monday night special.”

The Monday-night 50 percent off special began as a summer promotion 10 years ago and due to the huge success, it became an established weekly institution. Suh and Jang wanted to offer their customers the ability to try various items on the menu at an affordable price. As a thank you to their community, they continue the tradition and offer:

• 50 percent off every Monday night from 5-6 pm

• Applies to most of the menu, including sushi, sashimi, grilled items, drinks and sake

• Excludes market-priced items

In addition to the Monday-night special, Fujiyama hosts live jazz music every Friday night, a DJ every Saturday night, a happy hour menu Tuesday-Sunday, and a buffet once a month.

EVENT SPACE + CATERING

Fujiyama loves to help the community celebrate milestone events. Elevate your next gathering at Fujiyama, where they invite you to savor exceptional flavors in a setting designed for connection, offering a versatile event space perfect for accommodating both intimate gatherings as well as large group celebrations.

Beyond the dining room, they provide their signature high quality catering options for your chosen venue, so you can focus on the reason behind your celebration.

Address + Phone: 22 Tejon Street  |  719-630-1167

Website: fujiyamasushi.com

Instagram + Facebook @FujiyamaCOS

Sushi Crafted to Perfection

Sensory FULL IMMERSION

Above the Clouds Forest Bathing: An Instinctual Return to Nature

Originating from the Japanese word shinrin-yoku , forest bathing invites full sensory immersion in the beauty, wonder and beneficial atmosphere of the natural world.

NATURE AND ITS COURSE

As a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide for Above the Clouds Forest Bathing, Jane Deming Scanlon helps the community deepen their relationship with nature through guided walks in the Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak area.

Offerings include public, private, small and business groups, ephemeral art, faith-based and nature’s magic with grandmother forest walks. Each specialized walk provides community members with a unique experience and ends with a closing tea ceremony.

“Our closing ceremony is where we consider both the gifts of the natural world has given to us and the gifts we wish to return,” Scanlon shares.

A guided forest bathing walk is more about being here than getting there. The pace is unhurried, guests can sit or lie down, have solo or group time, journal and bask in the beauty our world provides us.

“Through slow, easy walks, guests can let go and let a trained guide offer thoughtful invitations to awaken all our senses, which includes more than five!” Scanlon explains.

‘ABOVE THE CLOUDS’ ORIGIN AND FOREST BATHING BENEFITS

The name “Above the Clouds Forest Bathing” comes from being based in Woodland Park, which is known as “The City Above the Clouds” and the ways that the practice of forest bathing invites us to shift our attention and awareness “above the clouds” that the busy, distracted mind can generate, Scanlon says.

“Lately I like to refer to the practice as  relational forest bathing, as our intention is nurturing reciprocity and a healthy relationship with the more-than-human world,” Scanlon says. “Many of us share a grief for how we and our fellow humans have harmed the natural world. We hold space for that grief and any other emotions or sensations that arise.”

“I am honored to share this practice at some of the most magnificent spaces in our area, Garden of the Gods and Mueller State Park,” Scanlon shares.

As a research-based wellness practice, forest bathing’s full immersion in the beneficial compounds trees produce may provide health benefits such as lowered blood pressure, decreased anxiety and stress, improved mood, sleep and functioning of the immune and nervous systems.

“We recognize that the forest is the therapist, and the guide opens the doors,” Scanlon says.  Nature is calling and it is time to return.

Address + Phone: Woodland Park  |  515-991-7412

Website: www.abovethecloudsforestbathing.com

Facebook: @AboveTheCloudsForestBathing

Instagram: @AboveTheCloudsWalks

A micro docuseries featuring our customer’s stories from the far m.

Watch the trailer using the QR code and follow along in the series.

GORGEOUS ALL-DAY SPACE FOR LOCALS

THE

BEST COFFEE & LOUNGE: PERFECT FOR DAY OR NIGHT

At once illuminating and warm, The Best Coffee & Lounge, which introduced its beautiful and refined indoor space in late May of 2025, has opened its arms to downtown Colorado Springs. Matte golds and rich earth tones render an atmosphere that feels elevated and also pays homage to the idea that any space can feel like home wherever you plant it.

ARTICLE BY JACEY BLUE RENNER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY RUDI

RAMOS

The Best Coffee & Lounge is fully focused on bringing a community-based feel to the Tejon corner where it rests—a place where neighbors, tourists, college students and other locals can feel invited in and welcomed. Its firepits and outdoor terraced green space blend urban and social bonding on chilly spring nights.

“I like creating spaces where others can adopt the feeling themselves,” says Tim Hines, who along with his wife, Monse, and partners Humberto Cubrera and Rudy Ramos, brought their artistic visions of a multi-faceted, upscale coffee house and lounge to Colorado Springs.

LATTES + LIGHT BITES

The Best Coffee & Lounge is rooted in and guided by the flavors and El Salvodorian influences that make Monse Hines, of Monse’s Taste of El Salvador in Old Colorado City, such a spectacular star in the local restaurant scene. From dulce de leche lattes to grilled birria cheese and pupusa Colorado, each item has a bit of an origin story influencing its appearance on the menu. The collective effect: handcrafted drinks and dishes that feel as though they are meant to be shared with family.

SPACE REIMAGINED

What distinguishes The Best Coffee & Lounge from many other local spaces is its dimension and events. Incorporating an elevated lounge aesthetic that resonates with both daytime and nighttime guests makes the space fully bright and cozy or captures the perfect date night spot. It’s family-friendly and inclusive during the day, and brings additive elements of culture and nightlife with its evening events and creative cocktail blends.

Every weekend evening, the lounge transforms to bridge the gap between sunlight and moonlight with its event lineup. Fridays offer Latin nights, with free bachata and salsa lessons taught by local instructors. Saturdays offer free live music from an evolving mix of incredible local jazz musicians orchestrated by Dizzy Charlie’s Music and Events.

“We want to create a space that people are attracted to,” Hines says.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

With space to accommodate groups from across the city, The Best Coffee & Lounge has also carved out the space for community connection. From small and informal meetings to professional events, guests can reserve a private meeting space for their group. Once monthly, they also host a morning networking event, giving entrepreneurs and small business owners the dedicated space to connect and support their growth.

They are forging partnerships within the Colorado Springs Hispanic Chamber and other organizations that share in their community goals: investment in the growth of both the downtown and Colorado Springs, while providing a safe space to enjoy what makes them solely unique.

“This is our home,” Hines says. “The impact that you’re creating matters most. We’re trying to make the community better.”

Address: 401 N Tejon St  |  719-300-8982

Website: thebestcoffeelounge.com

Facebook + Instagram: @TheBestCoffeeLounge

Redefining MVP: TIM TEBOW’S LIFE BEYOND FOOTBALL

An exclusive Q&A with City Lifestyle

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

From championship trophies to global humanitarian impact, Tim Tebow’s journey has defied every standard playbook. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Tebow pulls back the curtain on the moments that truly defined him, from a humbling middle school church retreat to the life-altering shift of fatherhood. This isn’t just a look back at a career; it’s an invitation into the heart of a man driven by purpose. Read the highlights below, then join us for the full, unfiltered experience by scanning the QR code at the end.

Q: WE ALL KNOW YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD, BUT TELL US ABOUT THE CURL CONTEST.

A: I was competing for my future high school team (my brother’s team), and I pushed myself way past what was smart. I ended up collapsing and needing medical attention. But what stayed with me wasn’t the pain, it was the lesson. Would I be willing to do something that others aren’t? For much of my life, I strived to bring my best for a game, but I hope that I can say at the end of my life I was willing to do that for things that actually matter.

Q: YOU’VE ACHIEVED SO MUCH IN SPORTS. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT NOW?

A: Becoming a dad. Nothing compares. From the moment I knew my wife was pregnant, I felt a new depth of love for our child, but when you bring your baby home, the responsibility hits you like nothing else. Suddenly, everything you see, every decision you make, you’re asking, “Is this corner too sharp? What happens if she reaches that drawer?” It changes how you see the world and how you see other people.

Q: YOU’VE SPOKEN OPENLY ABOUT DISAPPOINTMENT, ESPECIALLY AROUND FOOTBALL. HOW DID THAT SEASON OF LIFE SHAPE YOU?

A: I talked a lot about that very thing in my book Shaken . We all go through moments where our faith in our abilities and purpose feels rattled, but I believe it’s often in those storms when God can show us who we could become.

Q: YOU TALK A LOT ABOUT COMPARISON CULTURE. WHY DO YOU BELIEVE COMPARISON HAS BECOME SUCH A TRAP TODAY?

A: Because we’re comparing our real, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel. Social media shows people’s “best day,” often filtered and staged, and then we measure our reality against that. There’s a reason filters are so popular—it’s not real. We end up scrolling through images that don’t tell the full story, and without realizing it, comparison starts to steal our joy and our gratitude.

“We’re comparing our real, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel... comparison starts to steal our joy.”

Q: YOUR FOUNDATION FOCUSES ON THE “MOST VULNERABLE.” WHERE DID THAT CALLING BEGIN?

A: When I was 15, I met a boy in the Philippines who was treated as a throwaway because he was born with physical differences. That moment changed me. I realized God was calling me to pursue a different kind of MVP, not “Most Valuable Player,” but “Most Vulnerable People.”

Q: FINALLY, WHAT’S ONE THING PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

A: I have some weird coffee habits, which include protein powder, collagen, and cream all mixed together. I love golf dates with my wife. And every night, I bring snacks to bed to share with our dogs. It brings me more joy than it probably should.

This conversation barely scratches the surface. Tim goes deeper into the moments that rattled him, the joys of fatherhood, and one story he has never shared publicly until now. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on Share the Lifestyle Podcast.

ARTICLE BY LINDEN BUTRYM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MB'S

SOMETHING SWEET

THE Sweet SPOT

MB’s Something Sweet: A Twist on Traditional Ice Cream

For the founders of MB’s Something Sweet, an ice cream parlor in Polaris Pointe serving rolled ice cream, inspiration for their new business struck both abroad and locally.

Jeff and Beth McKiernan first sampled rolled ice cream while stationed in Japan with the Air Force. Scott and Katie Brown discovered the unique concept, which originated in Thailand around 2009, at a Breckenridge shop. The two couples—friends through their daughters—fell in love with the creamy, made-to-order creations, and opened MB’s (a nod to their last names) in August.

STARTING FROM SCRATCH

“It was so exciting to create a business from nothing,” Beth says. “I’ve been asked by several people, ‘How did you know how to start?’ My answer is, ‘No idea!’ We started with a vision, made a list of things that needed to be done, and got to work.”

At MB’s, the rolled ice cream, also called stir-fried ice cream, is prepared on negative-23-degree pans using locally sourced dairy for the vanilla cream base. Extras are then added to create different flavors such as Reese’s peanut butter cups and chocolate drizzle for Reese’s Pieces, fresh bananas and Nutella for Funky Monkey, and cookie dough and chocolate dust for Dough Highlander. Finally, toppings like caramel drizzle and sprinkles add a finishing touch to every customized order. It’s an experience, Scott says, to watch your flavors come together in front of you.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Opening MB’s wasn’t without trial and error.

“We were lucky to find some pans locally, before we secured a location, so we started experimenting with machines at night in the kitchen,” Jeff says. “We practiced rolling ice cream for two months. We practiced techniques and recipes for many nights prior to opening. We had family, friends and neighbors all willing to sample our product.”

In addition to creating a memorable experience, MB’s supports the community by sponsoring activities at The Classical Academy, Discovery Canyon and Palmer Ridge. The shop also has served as a vendor at Air Force Academy sporting events, and as a sponsor for the 2025 Parade of Homes. Their team currently includes 17 people, most of whom are high school students—including the McKiernans’ and Browns’ own kids.

“MB’s is a place to come and enjoy a fresh look at the ice cream process,” Scott says. “We want to provide an experience for families to enjoy, not just a great product, and we want to show our kids that with hard work, you can take nothing and turn it into something great.”

Address + Phone: 15 Spectrum Loop  |  719-495-0095

Website: mbsomethingsweet.com Facebook + Instagram: @MBs_Something_Sweet

FINDING BEAUTY BEYOND THE LANDSCAPE

Kristy Kensinger: An Artist Inspired by Place, Play, and Possibility

ARTICLE

BY

BRANDY LOVELACE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTY KENSINGER & ABBY SANTURBANE PHOTOGRAPHY

As a Colorado Springs native, artist Kristy Kensinger says that she is still inspired every day by the beauty of Colorado. From her home tucked into Cheyenne Canyon, she watches the seasons shift outside her window—brilliant blue skies against warm red rock, or a single wildflower blooming too soon against the crisp white snow.

“It’s hard not to draw inspiration from this place,” Kensinger says.

Most of Kensinger’s art comes from the world she sees around her—but it doesn’t stay rooted there. With a curious eye and an intuitive approach, her paintings leave space for viewers to find their own memories reflected back to them.

“My hope is that someone will look at a piece and not say, ‘Oh, that’s Garden of the Gods,’ but instead connect the art with their own memories of time and place.”

FROM GRAPHIC DESIGN TO CREATIVE FREEDOM

Kensinger earned a degree in Fine Arts and Art History at the University of Colorado Boulder, with a focus on digital arts. After graduation, she worked as a graphic designer, both in the corporate and freelance spaces.

While she enjoyed collaborating with clients, Kensinger eventually felt pulled back toward a more personal creative practice.

“One day, I was just sitting in my cubicle, eating lunch by myself, and I thought, ‘What am I doing?’”

Kensinger says. “For so long, I had helped clients create their vision, but now I wanted to create my own.”

CURIOSITY AS THE CENTER OF HER WORK

Leaving the corporate world was daunting, but Kensinger says it allowed her to reclaim a sense of play in her work. She often takes walks with her children, photographing moments as they explore—small sparks of joy that later resurface in her paintings.

“I think we can kind of lose curiosity and play in our day-to-day as adults,” she says. “But sometimes my best work comes from a moment when I was like, ‘Oh, I didn’t know where that was going.’”

That same philosophy carries into her teaching. Through workshops and classes, both online and in person at Auric Gallery, Kensinger encourages students to develop their own artistic voices rather than replicate a single result.

“I hope that everyone who takes my classes leaves with a sense of empowerment to take risks and step out of their comfort zones,” she says.

APPROACHABLE ART FOR ALL

After recently completing a series focused on wildflowers—drawn to their “untamed beauty and remarkable resilience”—Kensinger says she has been increasingly inspired by moody clouds and expansive horizons.

She also believes strongly that art should be accessible. By offering her work in a variety of formats, from originals to prints and stationery, Kensinger hopes more people can live with art that feels both personal and attainable.

“I want to find ways for people to find art that feels meaningful and affordable, from a local artist,” she says.

Kensinger continues to paint not just what she sees, but what she feels. Her work doesn’t ask viewers to recognize a specific place—it invites them to remember their own.

In a world that often moves too quickly, her art offers a quiet pause—a moment of wonder, reflection and return to curiosity.

Website: www.kristykensinger.com

Instagram: @KensingerCreative

“I think we can kind of lose curiosity and play in our day-to-day as adults.”

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A WILD CALL

ARTICLE BY J. CLAIRE

J. Claire is a multi-award-winning poet and author, widely known as the Poet of the Wild.

Her debut collection, Revelry, has earned national and international recognition across contemporary, narrative and nature poetry, with honors from the American Fiction Awards, NYC Big Book Awards, American Writing Awards, and the Independent Press Awards. Born in the heart of Pennsylvania and a native of both coasts, she writes at the intersection of landscape, embodiment and human connection. Her work appears in Harness Magazine, and she is a contributing writer for Colorado Springs Lifestyle Magazine, while also serving as VP/Promotions Director for the Colorado Authors League.

J. Claire’s writing offers language as both witness and medicine, attentive to stillness, movement, and the wild terrains that shape us.

Website: jclairepoetry.com

When the breeze so effortlessly knocks me down, I think of you

I remember being cocooned in my room, my most sacred shelter, feeling the sun hug my frightened, lost skin

I nestle under my sheets imagining I am there again

breathing slowly

healing quietly

growing softly

I imagine in what direction my feet were moving before I opened the door myself to me

And I exhaled a recycled exhale once more

The birds on your side of the world were so kind to me and always sang to me a morning song of rebirth

To start anew, fresh innocence for me to pen and rejoice I call it to me now in this time of need

Who I was then and grew to be are seen on the pavement and broken concrete by eyes I knew, who may be forgotten, and who I may be a sliver of a memory to

Your sun always had a way of waking me up in my conscious slumber and I thank you for it

An emotional drifter guided by the wind I’ve taken my power back many times here

I call it all to me now in this time of need

Is the nature of my call wanting me to be in nature again?

or a call for me to awaken into my wildest womanly form on earth?

I call the answer to me now

I’ve had the answer with me every day, somehow

COCKTAIL CLUB

Enjoy this refreshing cocktail for a soft, round and subtly sweet taste with a fruity fresh kick.

ingredients: directions: HAKU LYCHEE MARTINI

• 2 oz. HAKU® Japanese Craft Vodka

• 1 oz. house made lychee simple syrup 1. Combine ingredients

Shake vigorously over ice

Strain and serve up in a chilled martini glass

Garnish with a lychee

Cooking With Fresh Herbs

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD| PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

Garlic Herb Butter

This butter is versatile and goes with just about anything. You can use this on top of bread, popcorn, veggies, as a sandwich spread and more.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

• 4 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 tablespoon herb of your choice (dill, basil or oregano are my go-to herbs.)

• 1 clove garlic, chopped

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• cracked pepper to taste

Process

Add all ingredients in a food processor (or mix by hand in a bowl). Transfer butter mixture on parchment paper or plastic wrap. Cover butter tightly and roll into a log. Place in refrigerator until firm. Enjoy!

events

APRIL 2ND

Romeo and Juliet

ENT Center for the Arts | 6:00 PM

These violent delights have violent ends. In his first production as Theatreworks’ artistic director, Max Shulman returns to the Bard with a bold new vision of Romeo and Juliet. This fresh take on Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy marks a full-circle moment—honoring Theatreworks’ very first Shakespeare production in 1976. Runs through May 3. entcenterforthearts.org/events/romeo-juliet-theatreworks

APRIL 11TH

Grow Your Own Cutting Garden Workshop

Gather Mountain Blooms, 5210 South U.S. Highway 85 87 | 10:00 AM

Head to the farm for a hands-on workshop designed to help you grow a beautiful backyard cutting garden. You’ll learn when and how to start warm-season flowers, how to prep your garden beds, and how to organically fertilize and care for your plants. Each guest heads home with eight plants and a dahlia tuber. simpletix.com/e/grow-your-own-cutting-garden-workshop-tickets-257004

APRIL 11TH

Rocky Mountain Women's Film Shorts Night

Stargazers Theatre | 5:30 PM

Shorts Night is the annual fundraising event supporting the year-round programming of Rocky Mountain Women’s Film. Held at Stargazers Theatre, this one-night-only program presents a lineup of some of the most decorated short films of the year. Complimentary popcorn and candy. Cash bar, live music with Patchwork Jack and the best night of short films all year long! rmwfilm.org/shorts-night

APRIL 11TH

Bristol's Prohibition Party

Bristol Brewing Company | 7:00 PM

Toast the repeal of Prohibition, guys and dolls. Come in costume to this swingin' soirée for an evening of 33-cent Yellow Kite pilsners, pilsner cocktails and vintage mocktails, photo ops, a costume contest for prizes and games. Get dolled up in anything circa the Roaring 20s or 30s and celebrate. See you at the speakeasy! bristolbrewing.com

APRIL 16TH

Wes Brown: “Expeditions of Pike, Long and the Spanish Exploration"

Palmer Lake Town Hall | 7:00 PM

Palmer Lake Historical Society presents: Wesley Brown and “Expeditions of Pike, Long and the Spanish Exploration.” Before expeditions by Zebulon Pike, Stephen Long and others, the place that would become Colorado was a blank on the map. Wes has collected old maps since he was a teenager with a special interest in the exploration and settlement of the West. palmerdividehistory.org

APRIL 18TH

Pucks for Paws Charity Hockey Game

Ed Robson Arena at Colorado College | 4:00 PM

It's the 2nd Annual Pucks for Paws Charity Hockey Game! Watch the Colorado Warriors take on the Teller County Regional Animal Shelter Pets Team in a fast-paced, family-friendly matchup dedicated to raising vital funds for animals. The Warriors are a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping disabled veterans compete, connect and heal through hockey.  tcrascolorado.org/pucks4paws

WE ARE

COLORADO

With over 120 years of trusted banking experience, Central Bank is here to help make your financial goals a reality. We’re expanding our footprint in Colorado and can’t wait to meet you.

Stop by and see how you can Dream Bigger. Bank Better.

GREENWOOD VILLAGE | WESTMINSTER | COLORADO SPRINGS | DURANGO | LITTLETON

OPENING SOON: Downtown Littleton Branch

Our 5th Colorado location is opening soon in the heart of Downtown Littleton! Stop by once we open to explore all Central Bank has to offer.

CONTINUED

APRIL 18TH

Itzhak Perlman: Cinema Serenade

Pikes Peak Center | 7:30 PM

The Colorado Springs Philharmonic presents the 99th Season Gala: Itzhak Perlman. Witness Perlman's unparalleled violin artistry in a defining performance. csphilharmonic.org/event/99-gala-itzhak-perlman

APRIL 18TH

Pikes Peak Library District Foundation: Night at the Library Gala

PPLD - Library 21C | 6:00 PM

For one magical evening, guests will wander through the library’s re-imagined spaces, each inspired by beloved tales and literary genres. Every corner will offer imaginative décor, interactive experiences and literary-inspired food and beverage tastings designed to delight the senses and spark creativity. Guests are encouraged to dress in cocktail attire with a touch of literary flair. ppld.org/night-at-the-library

APRIL 28TH

Nate Bargatze: Big Dumb Eyes World Tour

Broadmoor World Arena | 7:00 PM

Grammy- and Emmy-nominated comedian, Nate Bargatze is selling out shows and breaking venue attendance records. He is currently the number one earning comedian in the world, according to Pollstar’s recent report. Bargatze recently published his first book,  Big Dumb Eyes: Stories from a Simpler Mind broadmoorworldarena.com/events/detail/natebargatze26