Highlands Ranch, CO August 2023

The Kids + Pets Issue

LOVABLE BEVERAGE BURROS

SPORTS + RECREATION

HOMETOWN KID

TAKES OVER TEAM SPEED

ARTS + CULTURE

SCHOOL OF ROCK JAMS

AUGUST 2023

Here’s to Our Inner Child

Our Kids + Pets issue is always one of my favorites. With the dog days winding down and school about to start, it's fun to celebrate all the memories of a well-lived summer vacation. Fourth of July, family trips, outdoor concerts, backyard barbecues — here's to hoping you've invested some quality time building memories with your beloved kids and pets.

In these pages, we bring to you several stories with high cute factor. School of Rock Highlands Ranch opens its doors and turns up the jams with their different way of teaching music.

A former soccer star at Mountain Vista High School is now the business owner of Team Speed, taking over from his longtime mentor and renowned strength and conditioning coach Sterling Jospeh.

All that, and Rocky Mountain Beverage Burros and backyard chicken dos and don'ts. Cuteness overload.

We hope this issue inspires you to pour a little extra into the children and pets in your life. And, above all else, we hope to inspire you to rediscover your own inner child. Whether you pick up a guitar for the first time, or run with a burro, here's to the kid in all of us.

Cheers!

August 2023

PUBLISHER

Jennifer Starbuck | Jennifer.Starbuck@CityLifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Sonja Nix | Sonja.Nix@CityLifestyle.com

EDITOR

Elizabeth Watson | Elizabeth.Watson@CityLifestyle.com

PHOTO EDITOR

Lisa Lord | Lisa.Lord@CityLifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sonja Nix, Elizabeth Watson

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Angela Kleinsasser, Lisa Lord

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier

Proverbs 3:5-6

Local, family owned and operated for over 29 years, we are Colorado’s most complete appliance source, offering every major appliance line to fit any budget.

Call us or visit one of our stunning showrooms. Our appliance experts will walk you through the entire selection process, from browsing, to purchasing, to delivery, offering you the one-on-one attention and advice you’ve come to expect.

Thank you for supporting Colorado’s local businesses. Louisville | Colorado Springs | Littleton | Glenwood Springs www.mountainhighappliance.com/

city scene

1: On June 22, a swath of Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree was hit by an EF1 tornado that damaged homes and wiped out thousands of trees. Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves communities before, during and after disasters, immediately provided teams to assist with clean up and recovery efforts. TeamRubiconUSA.org 4: Team Rubicon volunteers work to remove two fallen trees in a neighborhood off Highlands Ranch Parkway.

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Where neighbors can see and be seen.

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Tag your Instagram photos with @HighlandsRanchCityLifestyle

ART & SCIENCE

Advanced eye care is complex and requires knowledge, skill, and experience.

COLORADO EYE CONSULTANTS is committed to delivering compassionate and quality care in a safe and nurturing environment. Using the latest technology and innovative practices, our doctors dedicate themselves to excellent outcomes, every time. For more than forty years, the Colorado Eye Consultants team has been caring for patients and changing lives.

To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us at (303) 730-0404.

1501 West Mineral Avenue | Suite 100 | Littleton, CO 80120 ColoradoEyeConsultants.com

A R E Y O U R M A R K E T I N G

P H O T O S W O R K I N G

F O R Y O U ?

W e b s i t e s , n e w s l e t t e r s a n d s o c i a l

m e d i a . . . O H M Y ! T h e r e a r e s o

m a n y p l a c e s y o u h a v e t o s h o w u p

a s b u s i n e s s o w n e r . L e t ' s c r e a t e a

s t o r y a r o u n d y o u r b r a n d s o y o u

c a n u s e y o u r i m a g e s t o

c o n f i d e n t l y c o n n e c t t o y o u r

c u s t o m e r s , c l i e n t s a n d f o l l o w e r s !

I t i s t i m e t o l e v e l u p y o u r b u s i n e s s .

Custom marketing and branding

photography for your business.

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Back to School Cool with Dwelling & Domain

Are you tired of the chaos that comes with back to school mornings?  Elle Juelg from Dwelling & Domain specializes in simplifying and decluttering, and has helped numerous parents streamline their back to school routines. Say goodbye to the stress and frustration of last-minute searches for hoodies, shoes, and backpacks and effortlessly bring order to your mornings. Don't let the chaos of back to school mornings overwhelm you; instead let Elle Juelg bring tranquility and efficiency into your life. DwellingAndDomain.com

Douglas County Libraries’ Fête des Fables Gala: The Snow Queen

Motion Dance Center Announces Fall Registration

Fall registration is now open at Motion Dance Center, welcoming dancers of all levels, ages 2-18. The comprehensive program offers a diverse range of classes including Contemporary, Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Hip Hop, Afro Fusion, Jazz Funk, and Acro. A team of locally and nationally renowned teachers and choreographers ensures exceptional training for all dancers. Motion Dance Center prioritizes a balanced approach to dance and life, encouraging dancers and their families to pursue well-rounded experiences while receiving top-notch dance instruction. MotionDanceCenterCo.com Scan

Experience an unforgettable evening in a landscape of snow and ice at DCL’s Eighth Annual Fête des Fables Gala! Guests will enjoy cocktails, a delicious catered dinner and dessert, exciting entertainment, classic silent auction, wine pull, and more at the charming Highlands Ranch Mansion, Friday, September 29. Event proceeds benefit the Douglas County Libraries Foundation. Information and tickets available at  DCL.org/Fete-Des-Fables.

TEAM SPEEDSPEED, STRENGTH, AGILITY, POWER

As a kid growing up in Highlands Ranch, Matt Remaley was a multisport athlete. Around the age of 13 he decided to solely focus on the sport he loved most — soccer. Remaley wanted to not just have a seat on the bench, but excel at his sport, so he approached his dad about additional training. In order to achieve his goals, Remaley chose to work with Sterling Joseph at Sterling’s Team Speed.

“The reason I started training with Sterling at Team Speed was because I wanted to gain an advantage both physically and mentally. I understood that practice alone wouldn’t be enough to help me reach my goals, so I was eager to put in the extra work when nobody was watching,” says Remaley.

That extra work paid off. Remaley went on to play soccer at the University of Cincinnati. And then he played professionally and semi-professionally with the Columbus Crew.

Another local athlete that benefited from training at Team Speed is Mallory Pugh. She grew up in Littleton and plays soccer for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League, and she plays with the United States women’s national soccer team.

“Team Speed has played a huge role in my career,” Pugh says. “I have been training with Sterling since I was 10 and it has benefitted my game immensely. I am able to get pushed to my limits by Sterling and since I have been training with him for so long, he has learned what is best for me. The different drills and programs created at Sterling’s Team Speed are ones you don’t necessarily see anywhere else. I have also had a lot of injuries and every time I rehab there, I come back stronger and healthier than before. They have been a huge support system for me and I know that they CONTINUED >

always have my back — it is one big family. I can’t thank them enough for everything that they have done for me! Never lose the why in why you started playing. Always have fun and enjoy yourself.”

After college and at the end of his professional soccer career with the Columbus Crew, Remaley came back to Colorado and rejoined Sterling as a head coach at Team Speed. After seven years as head coach, Remaley took over ownership of Team Speed earlier this year.

“The culture at Team Speed played a significant role in shaping the coach I am today. Every time you walk through the door there’s a feeling that you will walk out better than before,” says Remaley.

Remaley sees the most important benefits of sports performance training as helping kids create and understand a state of well-being, both physically and mentally. He believes training instills the values of effort and the hard work required to achieve desired physical and mental goals. Training can promote self-accountability and discipline, which are crucial life skills for personal growth and development.

“When you develop the physical side of your game, it provides an advantage over others in terms of raw athleticism. However, when you combine physical prowess with mental strength, that’s when success comes in all forms, on and off the field,” says Remaley.

“The mental component of athleticism is just as important as the physical aspect. Without mental toughness and resilience, the physical abilities alone won’t lead to overall success.”

Rock the Beat(les)

New School of Rock Music School Rocks Out

What makes a musician? Must you be paid or have a formal education, play multiple instruments or have a five-octave vocal range?

“A musician, to me, is someone who puts in the time and dedication to study music and has a solid understanding of their chosen instruments,” said Holly Quirk, owner of the newly opened School of Rock Highlands Ranch. “I don’t believe you have to play professionally to be considered a musician. Just someone who loves music and loves playing it whenever they can.”

“We want every kid to have a music education. There are so many studies that tout the benefits for academics, science, and math that open that part of the brain,” Holly says.

School of Rock Highlands Ranch opened in May, offering its patented curriculum and instruction method. Taking a cue from rock-n-roll, they’ve flipped the typical order of learning an instrument called the ‘Song First’ approach.

At SoR, students learn to play songs first, many by the end of the first week. In that process, they learn music fundamentals, like reading music, chords, even a little theory, and participate in small group instruction with other like-skilled students.

“Traditional music instruction is, take your lessons, learn the rudiments first, after a while you learn a song, and then maybe, eventually play with other musicians,” Holly says. “We take music education very seriously. We simply reverse engineer the method in which we teach it.”

Offering classes for ages 3 1/2 to adult, their hallmark music program includes a weekly private lesson in keys, guitar, drums, bass, or voice, and a group rehearsal.

Owners Holly and Andy Quirk met in California when they were teens, and became involved in the local music scene as young adults. Holly was working as a manager at a music school

in Los Angeles when the couple decided they wanted something different. In 2013, they sold everything, packed a car, and moved to Denver to work at a School of Rock. After a stint at the Oak Park, Illinois, School of Rock, which grew to be the largest school in the nation, they returned to Colorado to open their own franchise.

All instructors at SoR are professional musicians. Among them include Music Director Dylan Pruiett, a graduate of Berklee College of Music, and Victoria Scovens, who played Eliza on an official Hamilton tour.

Despite the pedigree of their instructors, SoR understands each student comes to them with different plans; some want music to be a profession, some just a hobby. They hope students can experience the benefits of music alongside peers and friends.

This summer, one of the themes is British Invasion, the Beatles, Rolling Stones, the Who, and Yardbirds.

So sing along. “Lend me your ears, and I’ll sing you a song.” These students get “by with a little help from their friends.”

“We take music education very seriously. We simply reverse engineer the method in which we teach it.”

— Holly Quirk, School of Rock Highlands Ranch

Living

Living

Searching

• Non-surgical alternatives to invasive surgery, steroids, and pain medications

• Restoration and rejuvenation for acute and nagging injuries and conditions

• Game-changing treatments and techniques utilizing your own body to avoid prolonged rehabilitation and medication

• Regenerative treatments like: Prolotherapy, PRP, Autologous Fat Grafts, Bone Marrow Concentrate, Nerve Hydrodissection Treatments, Ultrasound-guided Injections, and more

Rocky Mountain Beverage Burros

The Most Popular Guest at Your Next Event Has Hooves

Yes, it’s true. You can rent a burro to carry beverages at your next event. Highlands Ranch resident Amber Wann, owner/operator of Rocky Mountain Beverage Burro, has been providing this unique and adorable service for customers throughout Colorado since 2017.

Wann talks about the history of the company: “We had a few opportunities to incorporate our burros serving beverages with baskets I built for a few years prior to making our business official in early 2017. Word spread fast and we were excited the burros worked a

dozen events that year. Then it was closer to 20 events each year. Even through the pandemic we still squeezed in a couple dozen events. Post-pandemic with a wedding boom we had about eight of our burros share in nearly 100 events through 2021. That was including other friends’ burros I contract out through the state in South Fork, Leadville and Northern Colorado. By the end of 2022 the burros collectively worked 145 events. Currently for 2023 we have already booked 140 events and more booking daily, with some dates completely

booked. 2024 is nearing two dozen events booked as well.”

That shows the popularity of having these well-mannered guests attend festivities.

“The burros know they are wanted and loved. One of the most popular poses is when people hold our donkey’s head in their arms for a hug,” she says.

Before each event the burros are washed. The brushing and pampering are a treat for these animals. Hooves get shined up with a special oil treatment and the flowers and baskets can be customized to complement the flowers and colors of any event.

Wann says, “People often say, ‘wow this donkey is so soft and sweet.’ Guys especially dig beers on a burro and say they must have a beer from a burro and document the moment with a photo or selfies. We have a client that posted getting beer from a burro was the best day of his life!”

“I believe all of our burros enjoy hopping in the trailer and going on an adventure with us and their herd. Burros are very social and emotional animals, so joining on a new adventure seems exciting to them. The burros are also a great icebreaker for guests who might not know other guests, so they come and hang out with the burros for a petting session.

Petting the burro has a calming effect on people and the burros.”

In addition to Rocky Mountain Beverage Burro, Wann and her husband Brad operate ReDONKulous Ranch Sanctuary & Rescue, Inc.

“We filed for non-profit status with our herd in 2021, after telling people for years we give our burros sanctuary which we have since 2014. And we had also taken in numerous other feral burros from kill pens to rehabilitate through the Pack Burro Racing activities and found them homes with running families. We have helped several folks with education and support with their own burros and even lent out our burros to help tame other wild ones where they live as well.”

“We give 15 burros sanctuary and on occasion take in a wild or feral burro needing to learn how to be trusting from our herd. Brad and I do not consider ourselves trainers or go by any book. It is an instinct for us, but we love to utilize our already gentle herd in the training process with the rescue burros. We do all of this out of love and a strong desire to help burros and others, which is why we share of ourselves so much in all we do!”

BeverageBurro.com

“The burros know they are wanted and loved. One of the most popular poses is when people hold our donkey’s head in their arms for a hug,”

— Amber Wann, Owner, Rocky Mountain Beverage Burro

Eyelash Extensions

CLASSIC (Natural Look)

TRUEXPRESS (Natural Look)

HYBRID (Dramatic)

Brow Services

TRUEVOLUME (More Dramatic)

MEGA VOLUME (Most Dramatic)

WISPY (Summer 2023)

Other Services

SUGARING

CHERRY CREEK LOWRY

HIGHLANDS RANCH

PARKER

EDGEWATER (SLOAN’S LAKE)

Backyard Chickens

Everything you need to get started on your backyard coop.

Chickens have become increasingly popular as pets in both suburban and urban areas during the last 20 years. Backyard chickens may seem to be an unsuspecting animal to keep as a pet but the tried and true egg producers are back in fashion as food costs are soaring and families are looking for more food independence in light of recent supply chain shortages. There’s a lot to like about raising chickens in your backyard. Surprisingly, chickens are relatively low maintenance. And bonus – unlike dogs, they don’t need to be bathed or groomed, and they don’t shed on your clothes or require training. Oh and bonus – they make you breakfast.

The eggs from backyard chickens are the best—tastier and fresher than any store-bought eggs. Much of the day, the birds entertain themselves, picking at grass, worms, beetles, and all of the good things that go into making those delicious farm eggs. Plus, with their keen eye for insect pests, chickens make for great gardening companions.

Chickens can provide family companionship, fun, entertainment, sustainable fresh food, and plenty of poop that gardeners prize as a natural fertilizer/composting material. Could backyard chickens be the perfect pet/producer to add to your home?

Things To Consider Before Getting Chickens:

First, check local town ordinances to ensure that keeping chickens is even allowed in your neighborhood or if there is a limit to the number of chickens you can keep at once.

Make sure you have the space for a henhouse or a full-size chicken coop. It has to hold a feeder and water containers, a roosting area, and a nest box for every three hens. A proper coop should be large enough that you can stand in it to gather eggs and shovel manure comfortably, but a simple hen house can be quite a bit smaller. Plus, any housing must be sturdy enough to keep your chickens safe from all the predators out there. Gorgeous coops are aplenty on places like Pinterest if you’re building your own, but many pre-made options are available through various farm supply stores as well.

Chickens need food and water daily. Feed is about $20 per 50-pound bag, but prices vary depending on your location and the quality of the feed. How long a bag lasts depends on the number of chickens you have.

Hens will lay eggs through Spring and Summer and into the Fall, as long as they have 12 to 14 hours of daylight. Expect to collect eggs daily, or even twice a day.

Backyard Chicken Q&A:

HOW MANY CHICKENS SHOULD I KEEP?

Chickens are sociable creatures, so plan to keep three to six birds at least. With this amount, you’ll always have a steady supply of eggs, since an adult hen lays about two eggs every three days, on average. Local ordinances also dictate how many chickens one household can keep.

HOW MUCH DOES KEEPING CHICKENS COST?

All of this costs money, of course. The materials to build and furnish a coop and a 20 x 5-foot run—including wood, fencing, and hardware—are going to set you back at least $300. If you can’t do this work yourself, you’ll also be buying skilled labor. Overall, expect to spend between $500 and $700 when getting started depending on the size of your flock, coop and run. For prefabricated coops, expect to pay $600 or more.

WHAT KIND OF SHELTER DO THEY NEED?

Chickens need to have an enclosed coop that provides adequate space, protection from the elements and predators, and good ventilation. A modified shed, barn, or stable with an outdoor

run is a good option for a coop. The outdoor run should be fully enclosed if you have predators like hawks or owls nearby. Ideally, coops are slightly elevated off the ground to prevent flooding and have windows on each side, enough nest boxes to allow several chickens to nest simultaneously, outlets for lighting, fans if they’re needed, air inlets or ventilation holes on the roof, and a concrete floor treated with a pet-safe waterproof coating that allows for easy cleaning and drainage.

Want to go the fancy route?

Search Pinterest for “chicken coop building plans” if you’re building your own or consider going the luxury route with a gorgeous custom-built coop from a company like CutestCoops.com

WHEN DO CHICKENS START LAYING EGGS?

Most hens will start laying eggs when they’re about 18 to 20 weeks old, although it may take more time for them to reach their peak output. Often, the first eggs are laid irregularly or are smaller or oddly shaped when compared with a typical egg. This is nothing to worry about! Once a cycle is established, most hens will lay one egg per day.

Kid-Friendly Chicken Breeds:

Certain breeds of chicken are also known to be great with kids. There are literally hundreds of breeds of chickens, and each is unique in their own way. Here are ten breeds of chickens that have been found to be good for children.

JOIN US FOR FITFEST

You can make a difference in a new

Saturday, August 26th | 8:30 – 11:30 am | Civic Green Park, Highlands Ranch

Come out to join us and enjoy a mash-up fitness class featuring local gyms & studios, local wellness vendors with demos, discounts & giveaways, splash pad, music, food trucks, drawings, and more!

Bring your family and friends for a morning of movement, connection, and fun! FREE to attend!

Presented By: Barre3 Highlands Ranch, Physio Room, and Purity Skin Studio

Fabulous Flatbread

Grilled Peach Flatbread with House-Made Rosemary Paneer Cheese

Yield: 4 flatbreads

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 peaches cut into 8 pieces each

• 12 slices soppressata or any salami

• Fresh mint

• 1 tbsp. olive oil

• ¼ cup pistachios, chopped

• Balsamic reduction

• 4 baked naan bread

FOR

THE PANEER CHEESE:

• 6 cups whole milk

• 2 tbsp. rice wine vinegar

• ½ tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped

• 1 tsp. kosher salt

HOW TO MAKE PANEER CHEESE:

Paneer cheese is made by curdling milk using an acidic additive such as lemon juice or vinegar. Paneer cheese does not use any kind of rennet, nor fermentation or aging.

In a pot, bring 6 cups of whole milk to 200 degrees. Once milk has reached temp., stir in the 2 tbsp. of vinegar and turn off heat; milk will begin to separate. Allow milk to curd for 5 minutes, strain whey and curds into a cheesecloth-lined colander. Transfer curds to a mixing bowl and add chopped rosemary and 1 tsp. kosher salt, mix ingredients together, reserve the cheesecloth for the next step. Place the curds back into the cheesecloth, pull the corners of the cloth together, ring out excess whey from the curds, and hang for 30 minutes to continue draining. Once the curds have drained, place cheesecloth-wrapped curds back into the colander and place a heavy item on top, in order to press the curds into shape and press more of the whey from the cheese, for 3-4 hours. Use cheese fresh or keep refrigerated up to 4 days.

FLATBREAD:

Brush olive oil onto both sides of naan flatbread, and place in oven on rack for 10 minutes at 400 degrees, or grill for 2 minutes each side. Grill peach slices for 2 minutes each side, or place in oiled sauté pan till each side begins to caramelize. On a cutting board, lay flatbread down, and place grilled peach slices around flatbread. Take small pieces of Paneer cheese and place throughout over the peaches. Be creative and find place for the soppressata or salami of your choice. Garnish with crushed pistachios and torn fresh mint. Cut flatbread, transfer to serving plates, and drizzle with balsamic reduction.

“I love the use of fresh, locally sourced peaches, and giving people the chance to make an easy, versatile cheese at home with ingredients that many already have in their refrigerators and pantries.”

Building Dreams

Since 1950

Whether you want to design a new kitchen layout, give your primary bath a little face-lift, or think it’s time to tear out and start over, the residential remodeling contractors at Striking Kitchen and Bath by Bell have the expertise and skills to make your vision a reality.

When you’re ready for a Striking new kitchen and bath, trust the experts to provide you with timely and affordable solutions. They have been reimagining spaces for Denver-area homeowners since the early 1950s, and during that time have developed a reputation for exquisite design, high-quality craftsmanship, and exceptional attention to every detail.

Contact Striking today to schedule your complimentary design consultation. www.strikingremodels.com or 303-731-1294