Loveland & South, CO April 2023

The Explore Issue

HOW WALLY'S SPEED SHOP KEEPS THE ADVENTURE RUNNING

APRIL 2023

Permission to Explore

Dear Readers,

Northern Colorado is a special place, full of unique culture, rich history, and fascinating stories waiting to be told. As a reader, you have the power to explore and learn from the communities that surround you. We urge you to use your own backyard as a chance to understand the world better, and that is precisely what this issue is all about.

Through the stories of local residents and business owners, you will be given a glimpse into our shared human experience. By exploring the stories of our community, you will gain a profound appreciation for the diversity and richness of our world. The chance to learn from and appreciate one another is a gift, and it is right here in our own backyard.

We believe that exploration is essential for growth. We must make room for trying new things, going to new places, and even getting lost, to make connections, foster friendships, and build trust. It is in these open-ended times that we find the magic of life.

Our hope is that this issue will inspire you to make room for exploration. To set aside time for yourself and escape from the regular schedule of life. To immerse yourself in a project, embark on a new adventure, and experience joy.

So, happy April! Take this opportunity to discover something new about your community, your neighbors, and yourself. We can't wait to hear what you find.

Sincerely,

April 2023

PUBLISHERS

Jahna Eichel | jahna.eichel@citylifestyle.com

Jason Eichel | Jason.Eichel@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHING ASSISTANT

Morgan Henderson

Morgan@fortcollinscreativeagency.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Matthew Hart

Matthew@fortcollinscreativeagency.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATORS

Mel Miles | mel.miles@citylifestyle.com

Jennifer Starbuck | jennifer.starbuck@citylifestyle.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

Tony Deyo, Jordan Klepzig

STAFF WRITER

Allie Bellows

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

The Creative Agency hello@fortcollinscreativeagency.com

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Josh Govero

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

Want

Get rewarded to dial in how you cool your home

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Learn how you can earn rewards by visiting us online at pvrea.coop/power-peak-rewards

Immerse Yourself in a Cinematic Dreamland

The Metrolux at Centerra in Loveland, Colorado has recently added a new attraction that is sure to delight moviegoers of all ages - an IMAX theater. The new IMAX theater is the first of its kind in the region and has already proven to be a popular addition to the Metrolux complex.

The IMAX theater at the Metrolux boasts state-of-the-art technology and is designed to provide moviegoers with an immersive experience. The theater features a massive screen that is over 70 feet wide and over 40 feet tall, providing a larger-than-life viewing

experience that is sure to leave an impression. The sound system is also top-notch, with 12 channels of digital audio that are designed to create a fully immersive audio experience.

But the IMAX theater at the Metrolux is more than just a larger-than-life movie experience. It also features cutting-edge technology that is designed to provide the most realistic viewing experience possible. The IMAX projector is capable of producing images that are over four times the resolution of standard digital projectors, providing a level of detail and clarity that is unparalleled. This means that moviegoers will be able to see every detail of their favorite films in stunning clarity and detail.

The new IMAX theater is also designed to provide a comfortable and enjoyable movie experience for all. The theater features plush, stadium-style heated seating that is designed to provide the best possible viewing experience.

The addition of the IMAX theater to the Metrolux is sure to have a positive impact on the local community. The theater is expected to draw in visitors from all over the region, boosting the local economy and providing a new entertainment option for residents and visitors alike.

But the IMAX theater at the Metrolux is not just a new entertainment option. It is also a testament to the continued growth and development of our region. The Centerra development has long been known for its focus on creating a vibrant, walkable community that is centered around entertainment, dining, and shopping. The addition of the IMAX theater at the Metrolux is a perfect example of this commitment to creating a thriving community that is focused on providing the best possible experience for its residents and visitors.

The addition of the IMAX theater is just the latest in a long line of developments that have helped to make Centerra one of the most vibrant and exciting communities in Colorado. The development has been steadily growing over the years, with new

restaurants, shops, and entertainment options being added regularly.

The theater is sure to be a hit with moviegoers of all ages, providing a larger-than-life movie experience that is sure to leave an impression.

“We’ve been a part of the community for a long time and we’re thrilled to provide guests with the most advanced technology in movie viewing,” Metropolitan Theaters President David Corwin said. “And there’s no better brand in the business than IMAX. So bringing the first one to Northern Colorado is exciting for us and for movie-goers.”

A Wild Idea

HOW IDEA WILD PRESERVES ADVENTURE

Wally Van Sickle is an unstoppable force of a man. He has tackled giant armored armadillos in Brazil, has swam the Gulf of California to photograph the fingerprint-like patterns on the backs of whale sharks, and has helped train Anatolian Shepherds, livestock guardians to prevent big cat attacks in South Africa. He’s climbed the peaks of mountains and plumbed the depths of oceans, all in the name of biodiversity. Each adventure marks a moment where Wally has impacted the future of the planet. However, in a treasure chest of lifelong conservation adventures, Wally Van Sickle’s crown jewel in exploring biodiversity is IDEA WILD, a leading-edge nonprofit that’s equipping our planet’s heroes with the technology they need to save our world. Wally’s adventures with IDEA WILD began over thirty years ago on a small island chain in the Great Barrier Reef, in the heart of a cyclone.

It was 1990 and Wally Van Sickle had found himself in an unusual spot. He was stranded on Lady Musgrave Island, a small crescent-shaped island, approximately thirty-five nautical miles off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

Fresh out of graduate school and festy from gallivanting around the mainland for four and a half months of birdwatching, Wally and his two friends had decided to wrap up their grand postgrad adventure on the Great Barrier Reef with a marine experience.

The remote Lady Musgrave Island is only protected by the reefs that lurk below the ocean’s surface with nothing but hundreds of miles of ocean between it and New Caledonia. To reach it, Wally and his team had needed to hire a boat and crew to drop them off, chartering for them to return in a fortnight.

It was only a week after they arrived when the cyclone struck. The boat crew was unable to traverse the cyclone-battered sea to pick them up again. Of course, being stranded on a remote island wasn’t anything unusual for Wally. What was unusual in this instance was that Wally, the ultimate outdoorsman, and adventurer, had found himself trapped indoors as the storm raged outside in the pre-internet era of 1991. The man literally had nothing to do. So, Wally’s mind started wandering. He began to contemplate what his calling was, where he had been, and where he was going. More importantly, his mind kept circling back to something he had seen time and time again.

THE DISCREPANCY

When Wally had been working in graduate school as a biologist researching mountain lions, he had everything he could ever want equipment-wise. He had access to technicians and radio telemetry. He could get helicopters, airplanes, trucks, and snowmobiles.

This was a stark contrast to what he would see working in wildlife conservation. The first time he noticed the discrepancy was back in ‘86. It had been his first experience as a volunteer in Kenya, working with an ornithologist. Far from the flashy equipment Wally was used to, the ornithologist’s equipment to capture and tag the birds was completely substandard. Of course, it was. The entire conservation project was being funded from the ornithologist’s own pocket.

Then the same thing happened in Australia. Wally had been working with a mammalogist studying Australia’s nocturnal marsupials with a spotlight at night. In the middle of the project, his spotlight died, plunging the entire project into darkness. The mammalogist couldn't afford a new one. Wally noticed these shortcomings for conservationists everywhere, in Australia, in Belize, in Kenya. He realized that a lot of the people who were working on the frontlines to save our planet – smart, dedicated scientists – were horribly illequipped to do their jobs.

As he sat on the island, waiting for the storm to pass, Wally Van Sickle kept revisiting these moments, pondering the discrepancy. It just didn't seem like the way it should be. In his mind, there needed to be a nonprofit to make sure these wildlife heroes had the equipment they needed.That is when Wally decided to start IDEA WILD.

GETTING STARTED IN JACKSON HOLE

It began on the island, but it would take another year before Wally got any traction behind his idea. He had struck out for Wyoming with his now-wife Joni Triantis, an equally determined and passionate conservationist for whom The chilobrachys jonitriantisvansicklei tarantula is named. At that time, Wally was working on publishing his mountain lion research and he had taken up giving wildlife tours in Jackson Hole during tourist season.

The duo settling in Wyoming was serendipity for two reasons. The first was that, in the shoulder seasons, Wally and Joni would return to the University of Wyoming in Laramie. The university happened to have an office entirely dedicated to starting nonprofits. With their guidance, Wally navigated the difficulties of starting a nonprofit: creating bylaws, writing the articles of incorporation, filing for IRS standing, and forming a board. By 1991, Wally had officially and legally started IDEA WILD. The second bit of serendipity, and the main reason Wally took the touring job in Jackson Hole, was because it put him in daily contact with people who both cared a lot about wildlife and who had money to spare. Jackson Hole was and still is the richest place in the country. He figured if they cared about his cause and had resources, they might donate something.

THE TEN DOLLAR CHECK

To spread the word, the duo wrote letters to the people Wally had toured around Jackson Hole. They physically wrote over two hundred letters and sent them out to what would become IDEA WILD’s first mailing list. In the era of no internet, no smartphones, and no email, contacting people out of the blue was a lot more tedious. Still, even after hours and hours of handwriting letters, when Wally dropped those two hundred letters at the post office, he was on cloud nine. He knew he had such a great idea; he was convinced thousands of dollars would be pouring in to support it. After all, this nonprofit addressed such a severe need to save the planet! He then waited.… and waited.

It took about a week of nothing before the shine came off. Then another before Wally began to really

doubt himself. The silence seemed to echo on and on. Every day he checked the mailbox. Each time that there was nothing, he felt his doubt grow a little more. In retrospect, the echoing silence only lasted about two weeks, but as anyone on tenterhooks about a life dream can attest, they were some of the longest weeks of Wally’s life.

Then, one day, there arrived a small envelope addressed to Rob Gibson. Rob Gibson was a wildlife fisheries biologist and a good friend of Wally’s. Inside the small envelope was a ten-dollar check: IDEA WILD’s first donation. The relief was instantaneous, and his excitement was renewed. Someone believed in his idea. Throughout the years, IDEA WILD has gotten many more donations, but Wally Van Sickle has never forgotten the significance of that first ten-dollar check.

Once the ball started rolling, it didn’t stop. After the ten dollar check came the first hundred-dollar check. After that, the first thousand-dollar donation, which Wally fondly recalled, came from a couple in Norway whom he had taken on a wildlife expedition in Jackson Hole. With money trickling in, IDEA WILD started to grow. As IDEA WILD grew, so did the number of applications for support. They needed to upgrade their fundraising methods.

Now known for their wild and impactful fundraisers, it’s bizarre to think of the younger IDEA WILD stumbling as the team perfected its fundraising strategy. Nowadays IDEA WILD raises hundreds of thousands annually for conservationists around the globe. At their events, donors get to directly bid on conservation projects, up to and including hand-delivering the equipment themselves to these bio-diverse hotspots around the world.

Back in the early days, the first events were more traumatic than anything. The powerhouse duo found themselves learning some harsh lessons early on about the pitfalls of fundraising.

They also found it difficult to fund all the projects that needed equipment. There were just so many conservationists who needed support. The game changed in 2000. At the start of the new millennium, Wally was invited to a Conservation International Meeting in Guatemala.

There Wally found himself speaking in front of a crowd that included the likes of Hollywood star Harrison Ford, industry tycoon Gordon Moore, and John Swift of Conservation International. Getting IDEA WILD’s message out to these people had a dramatic impact on their resources. With growing donors and higher donations, IDEA WILD was reaching more conservationists than ever before.

After another six years of steady growth, IDEA WILD hit another huge turning point. In 2006, the owners of Fort Collins's iconic Nature’s Own donated their building to the nonprofit. This meant that Nature’s Own would provide a steady stream of income to IDEA WILD through rent payments. They have continued to support IDEA WILD in this way for over fifteen years. After Nature’s Own donated the building, it leveled out the rollercoaster for sourcing funding and allowed the nonprofit to really flourish in the years that followed.

Last year, IDEA WILD celebrated thirty years as a nonprofit. It gave Wally Van Sickle a moment to reflect on how much his dream has grown. In that time, they’ve created wildlife reserves, brought species back from the brink of extinction, and helped idealistic biologists just starting their careers move into prominence for their conservation efforts. IDEA WILD has had a profound global impact with plans to continue to do so for many years to come.…and it all started on a tiny island in the middle of a cyclone.

If you’re interested in learning more about IDEA WILD, please visit their website at www.ideawild.org

Wally Van Sickle is an unstoppable force of a man. He has tackled giant armored armadillos in Brazil, has swam the Gulf of California to photograph the fingerprint-like patterns on the backs of whale sharks, and has helped train Anatolian Shepherds, livestock guardians to prevent big cat attacks in South Africa. He’s climbed the peaks of mountains and plumbed the depths of oceans, all in the name of biodiversity.

BREEZE THRU CARWASH

COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY

Breeze Thru carwashes have become a beloved staple in Northern Colorado with their more than a dozen conveniently located sites from Cheyanne to Longmont. But this family-owned local business is much more than just a car wash. It's a groundbreaking business that is committed to its values and to giving back to the community.

Breeze Thru's commitment to community involvement and giving back is evident in everything they do, from providing quality car washes that use top-of-the-line technology to hosting fundraisers that involve and educate kids about the importance of work ethic and raising money for causes they care about. The company also believes in making charitable donations to causes like Larimer County Search and Rescue and in helping to protect the environment by participating in river clean-ups and educating the youth of the community about the importance of environmental restoration.

Breeze Thru's commitment to its employees is also a core value of the business. The company provides personal and professional

development through various programs like the Employee Apprenticeship Program, which is recognized by the Department of Labor, and offers a certificate in Operations Management that can be used across all industries. The company's commitment to education doesn't stop there as the upper-level staff takes courses on how to more effectively teach and develop employees, resulting in a better customer experience.

Breeze Thru's President, Justin Salisbury, believes in investing in employees and spreading knowledge to elevate the entire industry, resulting in a better customer experience. The company's commitment to its employees has resulted in a company culture where every employee has a voice, and constant feedback is used to improve daily operations.

Pushing the envelope of how to run a business is something Breeze Thru strives for.  Their corporate headquarters, in South Fort Collins, was chosen carefully because of what the building could provide- classrooms.  Continuing education for their employees is how Breeze Thru truly commits to their employee's future success.

Development comes about through continuous coaching and training.  This education goes way beyond teaching their employees how to properly wash a car.  There are two employee programs that stand out and prove that Breeze Thru is a beacon in not just their industry, but in all industries. Every employee knows the company’s values and what they stand for, and they all know what they are working towards.  With each milestone an employee crosses, it is a cause for celebration, and then recalibration, aiming toward the next one, always striving to be better.

The commitment to education doesn’t stop at employees. The upper-level staff regularly takes

courses on how to more effectively teach and develop employees better.  As they learn how to teach and coach more effectively, they are spreading their knowledge.  Leadership Worth Following is a leadership program run by Breeze Thru’s President, Justin Salisbury.  In this program, he teaches other leaders in the industry of car washes, how to be great leaders, and how to train and coach employees.  Through foundations such as these, he believes the entire industry will get better, resulting in a better customer experience.  He teaches this mindset of investing so much into your employees because he knows it’s going to elevate the entire industry, as he has seen it do with Breeze Thru.

Breeze Thru is a perfect reminder not to judge a book by its cover.  While it’s a place you go to get your car washed, it’s so much more.  Salisbury and Keith describe that “Zen moment” when their customers realize the few minutes they take out of their day to get their car washed, has purpose and meaning to the community.  By choosing Breeze Thru you’re in turn supporting and giving back to the community too.  As much as washing cars is the business they’re in, Breeze Thru is all about their employees and making each one better, personally and professionally.  It’s no wonder Breeze Thru is one of the top employers in Northern Colorado.

Salisbury said of Breeze Thru’s continued success, “Be purposeful in why you’re in business.  Be transparent in how you’re going to commit to it.  Remember to empower your team to achieve it, as people are the business.  Business is a concept.”   It’s through their mission and values like these, that Breeze Thru is leading the way to being the change they want to see in the world.

Breeze Thru is not just a place to get your car washed, but a purposeful business committed to giving back to the community, protecting the environment, and developing its employees to be professionals that can succeed in any industry they choose. It's a perfect reminder that a company's purpose and values are what truly set it apart from the rest.

Sleep Inside, Outside

4 Incredible places to (literally) sleep under the stars

It’s always magical to spend a night sleeping under the stars. In decades past, adventure seekers have packed the SUV or camper with tents and gear for ‘roughin’ it’ in the great outdoors. But the swanky and exploding category of luxury outdoor hotel is something to investigate for an unforgettable, next-level experience.

For those who prefer glamping rather than pitching their own tent fireside, here are a few options that incorporate sweeping views and a unique

opportunity for travelers to be more authentically embedded in the landscape of the place they’re visiting. These resorts have bucket list-worthy rooms that capture the best of both the luxury resort experience and the outdoors.

Whether you crave the dry heat of the remote Utah desert or the luminous beauty of the Northern Lights, we’ve curated a short list of some places you *must* check out.

Amangiri, Utah

In southern Utah, Amangiri is a five star resort perfect for an adventurous weekend in the desert. However, it is the simple rooms built to emphasize the beauty of Canyon Point that truly make it an incredible place to stay. Each suite has an outdoor lounge and fireplace with private pools or rooftop terraces available too. Don’t miss a dip in the ‘gram-worthy pool, which wraps around the landscape’s curved dunes and arid plateaus. CONTINUED >

Kakslauttanen

Arctic Resort, Finland

These arctic igloos make Urho Kekkonen National Park look like a dreamy winter wonderland. Snuggle up inside the glass-roofed globe and watch the dancing northern lights overhead. Get immersed in the world of northern lights, midnight sun and other miracles of this world-renowned arctic resort. Just bundle up before stepping outside – temperatures can drop to -22 degrees!

Hacienda Na Xamena, Ibiza

The Spanish island Ibiza boasts lush pine forests, hidden calas (cove beaches) and Hacienda Na Xamena, a resort suspended on a cliff 600 feet above the Mediterranean. Guests flock to its spa for the eight saltwater thalassotherapy (seawater as a form of therapy) lagoons, which are linked together with waterfalls. Swim to the edge of the pool and drink in the sweeping sea vistas.

Pacuare Lodge, Costa Rica

This jungle hideaway is so out there, you have to whitewater raft down a river or ride a gondola to get there. A network of hanging bridges connect the villas, which have thatched roofs, plantation teak wood floors, rattan furniture and private plunge pools. In the evening, zip 400 feet down a cable for a meal at the Nest, a platform at the top of a ceiba tree, then take a night-time stroll along romantic pathways lit by candles and lanterns.

Keeping the Adventure Running

Cruising down Route 66 in a hot rod is an iconic adventure that is deeply rooted in Americana. And Wally and Miriam Veigel, the owners of Wally’s Speed Shop in Loveland, are keeping the spirit of classic car restoration alive by helping their customers hit the road in style.

Wally's passion for cars and his expertise in car restoration has led him to become one of the best in the business. He decided to open his own shop after realizing that he was meant to work on cars and that owning his own business was the best way to pursue his passion. His respect for the cars he works on, as well as their owners and the sentimental value that these cars hold, has earned him the trust of his customers.

HOW WALLY'S SPEED SHOP GETS VINTAGE CARS BACK ON THE ROAD

What sets Wally apart is his transparent approach to his work. He sees himself as a "car therapist" and understands that the restoration process requires a lot of education. Wally walks his customers through each step of the process, which can be complex and full of twists and turns.

To begin the restoration process, Wally starts with a conversation with the customer to understand their vision, why they want it, and how he can bring it to life. He aims to uncover the car's history, which can be surprising and fascinating. Wally takes his responsibility seriously, not just restoring a car but also restoring memories and creating new ones for his customers.

Wally's work ethic, instilled by his hard-working father, inspires him to always strive for improvement. He applies the kaizen mentality of continuous improvement to everything he does, including giving back to the community. Wally keeps up with the latest technologies and applies them to the restorations he's working on. He always keeps his customers informed and at ease, even when applying new technology to old cars.

Wally's Speed Shop has grown rapidly, and he has had to move three times in seven years to accommodate the expanding business. Giving back to the community is essential to the Veigels, who donate to nonprofits such as Realities for Children, Hearts and Horses, and Loveland High School's marching band. Wally also donates his time as a Scoutmaster for a local Boy Scout troop.

Wally and Miriam Veigel are keeping the classic car restoration business alive and well at Wally's Speed Shop. Wally's transparent approach, passion, and commitment to continuous improvement have earned him the trust and respect of his customers, while his dedication to giving back to the community has made him an admired figure in Loveland.

Starting Wally’s Speed Shop has been nothing short of an adventure for the couple who work closely together every day.  Wally and Miriam love being able to provide an adventure to their customers, who when working with Wally’s Speed Shop, are just getting their adventure started.

do new differently

With apologies to the suburbs of the world, Kinston is planning something a little different. We’re a new home community based on some simple yet enduring ideas about place. Like walking beats driving. A town needs a center. Neighborhoods need parks. Front porches are for conversation. Art is for everyone and nature is an important part of life. This is Kinston, let’s get back to the things that matter.

explore New homes from the $400 s kinstoncenterra.com