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CASTLE VALLEY STUNNER

ROOM TO GROW IN WEST GLENWOOD

NEW CASTLE You don’t see perfectly manicured properties like this one very often. Built in 2021, nearly new three bed, two and one-half bath in Castle Valley. If you are looking to purchase pride of ownership, come see this beauty.

GLENWOOD SPRINGS If you are looking for room to grow, this one is for you. This West Glenwood gem offers three bedrooms, one bath main level living, and a great ﬁnished basement! This 1960-built house has the perfect mid-mod charm and room to spread out! Situated in a quiet neighborhood but close to all the best parts of Glenwood. Come see this one today!

$710,000 • 3 BED, 2.5 BATH • WEB# RF181086

$640,000 • 3 BED, 2 BATH • WEB# RF181148

Jon Harman 281.620.9815

jharman@masonmorse.com

Jon Harman 281.620.9815

jharman@masonmorse.com

NEW HOME WITH BIG VIEWS MARBLE Stunning New Construction Home with Majestic Mountain Views, Nestled on a Sprawling Lot within the Breathtaking Colorado Rockies, bordering the scenic White River National Forest. Conveniently Located Only 35 Minutes from the Town of Carbondale, CO, and Just Over an Hour’s Drive to World-Class Skiing in Aspen/Snowmass. Don’t Miss This Opportunity to Embrace Mountain Living at its Finest! $1,200,000 • 2 BED, 3 BATH • WEB# RF181279

Jeremiah Akers 970.213.3891 jeremiah@masonmorse.com

cbmasonmorse.com

PROUD SUPPORTERS OF THE 1% GIVING CAMPAIGN Coldwell Banker Mason Morse brokers have partnered with the Habitat for Humanity to ﬁnd solutions to the aﬀordable housing crisis facing our community. Thank you to these brokers who are giving back by committing 1% net sales commissions to build homes for workforce families.

Bill Blanton

Becky Ciani

Ashley Eaton

Ashley Eberly

Nancy Emerson

Jed Goodwin

Brian Hipona

Bobbi Hodge

Audrey Imhoff

Jocelyn Kochevar

Konnie Krahn-Prosence

Chris Lawrence

Tessa Maize

Jamie Maybon

Jenn McNicholl

Leslie Newbury

Tammy Reid

Jennifer Schauer

Roshni Slali

Gella Sutro

COLDWELL BANKER MASON MORSE WILL MATCH ALL AGENT’S 1% DONATIONS.

Joy White

Maria Wimmer

Ingrid Wussow

cbmasonmorse.com

LIFESTYLE LETTER

Give Thanks!

November 2023 PUBLISHER

Mel Miles | mel.miles@citylifestyle.com EDITOR

Mary Abel | Mary.abel@citylifestyle.com

In this season of giving thanks, we often find ourselves reflecting on the many blessings in our lives. The true spirit of Thanksgiving encourages the conscious expression of gratitude. Its focus is spending time with those that you love and encourages giving back in a meaningful way. While ambition, competition and slaying goals can be very healthy, forgetting to place importance on being present, enjoying the ride and appreciating those around us that have helped us along in our journey, can leave us missing out on what truly matters. We’ll never be content if we look outside ourselves and at our possessions or titles to determine if we are fulfilled. True contentment comes from within and from fulfilling who we were made to be. Our November issue is dedicated to stories of gathering, gratefulness and giving back to our community. We are so thankful for the residents and businesses in our community who support so many wonderful organizations and help make our city the vibrant community that it is. We are especially thankful for our advertising partners who help bring this magazine to your doorsteps each month. They are part of our vision and purpose of bringing inspiring stories and the good news of the community directly to you. This holiday season as we prepare to gather with our loved ones, and in the true spirit of thanksgiving, let’s set time aside to consider what truly makes life meaningful and stop to reflect on those blessings. Blessings to you and your family,

STAFF WR ITER

Callie Miller | Callie.Miller@citylifestyle.com PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Matthew Harlan CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

Cassandra Green, Mel Boban, Kara Witherow and Delia Jo Ramsey CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S

Abby Watkins, Joel Muniz, Glenna Haug

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

MEL MILES, PUBLISHER @ROA RING FO RKCIT Y LIFE S T Y LE

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 AD DESIGNER Rachel Collins LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee

Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise

Scan QR code to visit our Instagram CIT YLIFEST YLE.COM/ROARINGFORK |

Proverbs 3:5-6 Roaring Fork City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Roaring Fork area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Roaring Fork City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

Local Support You Can Bank On

Your one-of-a-kind lifestyle is what matters most. It’s why we get up close and personal to understand your financial goals, then cater our products and services to help you reach them. That way you can focus less on banking and more on conquering Colorado. BankOfColorado.com/OutsideTheBank BASALT 655 E. Valley Rd., 970.704.1144 GLENWOOD SPRINGS 901 Grand Ave., 970.945.7422 RIFLE 1200 Railroad Ave., 970.625.1266

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inside the issue The Thankful Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

14 Kids Table Crafts for Thanksgiving

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Local Experiences

Kids Corner A RTS + C U LT U R E

Travel Journal T R AV EL

Seasonal Setups LI FE + C U LTU R E

Home Update HO ME + DES I GN

Happy Hour FO O D + B EV ER AG E

Events

Inspired By LI FE + C U LT U R E

Easy crafting projects to invite gratefulness into your home this month.

18 Make memories together this Christmas at Gaylord Rockies Close to home, but worlds apart!

22 Gather

Setting the Fall Table

28 Chocolate and Wine

The Key to a Successful Wine and Chocolate Pairing Lies in Finding the Right Combination of Flavors and Characteristics.

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Glenna Haug Fall in the Valley

If we all spend just $25 more in Garfield County this year rather than online or out of town, that will generate over $1.5 million for our local economy! This holiday season, consider gifting with Carbondale Gift Certificates, redeemable at over fifty local businesses! Contact us for details and to purchase - 970.963.1890 or chamber@carbondale.com.

520 S 3RD STREET | PO BOX 1645 CARBONDALE, CO 81623 WWW.CARBONDALE.COM

Rightcoverage. coverage. Right Right price. Right price. Righthere herein intown. town. Right

Adam Decker, Agent Adam Decker, AgentSuite A 1620 Grand Avenue 1620 Grand Springs, Avenue Suite A Glenwood CO 81601 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Bus: 970-366-4142 Bus: 970-366-4142 adam@adamdecker.net adam@adamdecker.net

Here’sthe thedeal. deal.The Theright right Here’s insurance should help insurance should help youfeel feelconfident confidentand and you comfortable. I’m the right comfortable. I’m the right good neighbor for that. good neighbor for that. Callme metoday. today. Call Likeaagood goodneighbor, neighbor, Like StateFarm Farmisisthere. there.®® State

State Farm State Farm Bloomington, IL Bloomington, IL 2001290 2001290

Carbondale Animal Hospital is happy to welcome Dr. Ben Mackin, back to full time practice. “I feel so much gratitude to have had the opportunity to gain important perspective, celebrate family, and am truly excited to return to the wonderful community here in the Roaring Fork Valley. To be given the chance to serve the deeply loved pets of our valley and to embrace my passion for veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry at the practice that I’ve built is truly a blessing.”

We are proud to continue the cutting edge, yet practical and empathetic approach to your family’s veterinary medicine that we have always represented. 970.963.2826 www.carbondaleah.com | BV email: carbdondaleah@gmail.com NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/ROA R I N G F O R K

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city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen. 1

7 5

1-7: Shout Out to Glenwood Springs Park and Recreation. Thank you for bringing the community together. Photography by Glenwood Springs Park and Recreation

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @roaringforkcitylifestyle

C I T Y SC E N E

GET INSPIRED E AT & D R I N K SHOP LOCAL YO U R D I G I TA L D E S T I N AT I O N FOR LOCAL LIVING

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business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses. Gingerbread Contest If you’re a fan of decorating cookies and cakes, the Gingerbread Contest hosted by the Glenwood Springs Historical Society might be up your alley! Entries will be on display at Hotel Colorado, November 24th, then finalists will move to ANB Bank. To register and get all the details: www.glenwoodhistory.com Deadline for registration is November 10th. Entry fee is $10 per submission. Awards Ceremony will be held at ANB Bank at 5:00 p.m. on December 1st.

Photography Clu Son

Better Together Mural Project 2.0 2023 If you haven’t been able to go stroll and see the amazing work of the Better Together Mural Project 2.0, grab your hat, coat, and gloves to see this results of this amazing project. The City of Glenwood Springs second annual mural project, Better Together 2.0 selected ten Colorado artists that painted their murals on pre-identified electrical boxes and designated facades, bringing more publicly accessed, original artwork to the downtown core.

Photography Glenwood Springs Park & Recreation

Build Trust, Grow Wealth, Manage Risk. Over 35 years of experience managing equity, fixed income, and alternative strategies for individuals and institutions. • Wealth Management • Private Equity & Alt Strategies • Private Income Fund

• Private Opportunity Fund • Direct Investments • Cash Management Strategies

www.doliveradvisors.com Skip McBride | 832-867-9847 | skip@doliveradvisors.com

B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

2023 Roaring Fork Watershed Photo Contest Calling ALL photographers! The Roaring Fork Conservancy is looking for amateur and professional photographers to capture the beauty of the streams, lakes, meadows, peaks, people and wildlife in the Roaring Fork Watershed. This year’s Photo Contest has two categories, to get more details visit roaringfork.org Submission rules and guidelines are listed below. Submission deadline is November 12, 2023!

Photography Nathan Anderson

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/RoaringFork

THE ASPEN HIVE A FAMILY RUN, WOMEN OWNED AND LOCALLY OPERATED JEWELRY STORE. 429 East Cooper Ave Aspen, CO 81611 970.925.2128

Winner of The Best of Aspen!

www.theaspenhive.com instagram: @aspenhive

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local experiences The best places and things to do in our area.

Being thankful for what we have, and giving back to those in need is important allyear round, and particularly during the holidays. We love our community and want to support our people and organizations in as many ways as we can, so join us in paying it forward with these local opportunities.

Joel Muniz

Our Picks to Pay it Forward HAR VEST FOR HUNGER : Harvest for Hunger, located in Snowmass Village,

is a charitable organization dedicated to reducing food waste in the Roaring Fork Valley . PO Box 5953 Snowmass Village, CO 81615, Snowmass Village, Colorado 81615 LIFT-UP: LIFT-UP provides equitable food security for individuals and families; educating, building understanding and support to end hunger from Parachute to Aspen. 520 S 3rd St Carbondale, CO GLENWOOD SPRINGS FOOD PANTRY - FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTER: The food pantry provides quality food items to households experiencing food insecurity. This program supplies critical nutrition to hungry individuals. 1004 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601 HER A'S WOMEN'S CANCER FOUNDATION: The mission of the HERA Women's Cancer Foundation is to stop the loss of mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, wives, partners and girlfriends from ovarian cancer. Box 664 Carbondale, Carbondale , Colorado 81623 CASA: They provide well trained, court-appointed volunteer advocates to abused and neglected children. The goal is a safe, permanent, nurturing home for every child we serve. P.O. Box 3004, Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81602 LIFT-UP

Scan for more photos and the full list.

Want to recommend a local experience? Scan the QR code and message us on Instagram.

LOCA L E X P E R IE N C E S

Total Exterior Restoration. Residential & Commercial Roofing. Solar and Rain Gutters. (970) 812-2222

DO YOU REALLY HAVE TO CHOOSE? Franchising with us means making money and time for your life.

YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD TECH HELPERS

HOMETOWN TECH Tech made easy.

We handle everything from smartphones and computers to email, internet, and more. We come to you! Jorie DeVilbiss 970-948-6989 jorie@hometowntech.net

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Kids Table Crafts FOR THANKSGIVING

EASY CRAFTING PROJECTS TO INVITE GRATEFULNESS INTO YOUR HOME. Karli Fenton is the owner of Nanny Yo Business and she shares four easy crafting projects to invite gratitude and fun into this holiday season as a family. Gratitude is a year-round gem in Karli's life. "I've always encouraged a year-round thankfulness," Karli says. She believes gratitude is a great foundation to have in life. One of her goals is to cultivate a grateful heart in her daily life and for the kids she nannies as well. Each of these activities is easy to do from the comfort of your own home.

Thanksgiving Clothespin Turkey SUPPLIES • • • • • • • •

Brown, red and yellow colored construction paper Small clothespins Colored pipe cleaners, feathers and/or leaves Googly eyes Brown crayon and/or marker Glue Scissors Toilet paper roll or a paper towel roll that is cut into smaller sections

DIRECTIONS 1. Measure and cut a piece of brown paper the size of your cardboard roll. Wrap and glue onto the roll to make the body. 2. Draw a beak and turkey gobble neck on yellow and red paper. Cut them out. Then glue on the googly eyes and below them the beak and neck. 3. Color the clothespin brown. 4. Create the feathers by using feathers, pipe cleaners or leaves. If you choose pipe cleaners twist and wrap them into feather shapes making sure they’re looped around one another. Make sure the feathers, pipe cleaners or leaves meet at a central spot to attach the clothespin to. 5. Attach your feathers with the clothespin to the top of the body. 6. Make the feet by bending a pipe cleaner in the middle. Then bend each end into toes by pressing half-inch pieces together. Glue the pipe cleaner to the inside of the cardboard.

K I D S COR N E R | ARTS + C ULTURE

Thankful Tree SUPPLIES • • • • •

Construction paper or cardboard Pencil Scissors Double-sided tape Leaf-shaped paper with an “I am thankful for…” prompt. The ones in the example can be found at Hobby Lobby. You can also make your own.

DIRECTIONS 1. This can be as simple or extravagant as you choose. 2. Design the tree by outlining it on cardboard or construction paper. Then cut it out. (The example is made of cardboard covered in construction paper.) 3. Use tape to stick the tree onto the wall. Add designs or extra paper as needed for branches and bark. 4. Write on the leaves what each person is thankful for throughout the month of November. Then attach the leaves to the tree.

“ I ' V E A L WAY S ENCOUR AGED A YE AR-ROUND T H A N K F U L N E S S .” -K ARLI FENTON ARTICLE BY CASSANDRA GREEN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ABBY WATKINS CONTINUED >

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K I D S COR N E R | A RTS + CULTURE

KARLI FENTON

Year-Round Gratitude Jar SUPPLIES • • • •

Extra large mason jar or a clear vase Black chalk paint stickers Chalk pen and/or marker Sticky notes or fun-shaped pieces of paper

DIRECTIONS 1. Title and label your jar. For example, “Gratitude Jar” or “What We’re Thankful For.” 2. On the pieces of paper, everyone can participate in writing what they’re thankful 3. This can be a project for the holidays or something to do all year round. In the month of November or all year round, add notes to the jar. 4. Each Thanksgiving or on a special day take all the notes out and share them with one another.

Salt Water Paint Drawings SUPPLIES • • • • •

Dark-colored card stock Crayons or colored pencils Warm water Table salt Paintbrush

About Karli Fenton OWNER OF NANNY YO BUSINESS Karli is intentional in meeting kids at their level. Her experience ranges from traveling with families, overnight care, potty training, encouraging developmental milestones, house management and organization projects. She finds that when gratitude is part of your daily practice, it can help later when life gets hard. Her focus is to be goofy and free-spirited while cultivating traits of gratitude, empathy, kindness and emotional regulation.

DIRECTIONS 1. Using a crayon or colored pencil outline the leaf or any other design you want to make on the card stock. 2. Mix salt with warm water. Be generous with the salt and use small amounts of water at a time. Water should be cloudy when mixed. 3. Use a paintbrush to apply salt water and trace the lines of your design. 4. Let it dry and apply more coats as needed. 5. Once dry the painted areas will be shimmery and white.

NANNYYOBUSINESS.COM

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Close to home, but worlds apart!

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TR AVE L

MAKE MEMORIES TOGETHER THIS CHRISTMAS AT GAYLORD ROCKIES ARTICLE BY KARA WITHEROW | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED Perry Como may have crooned, “(There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays,” but a trip to Gaylord Rockies Resort – with its festive decor, seasonal dining, and original holiday experiences — maybe even better than staying home. This year, let someone else do the cooking and cleaning. Gather the family, pack your bags, and head to Aurora for a Christmastime vacation everyone will enjoy.

CLOSE TO HOME, BUT WORLDS APART Standing at the edge of the Front Range with sweeping views of the Rocky Mountain foothills and within minutes of Denver, Gaylord Rockies is a perfect choice for those looking for a fun holiday getaway. From Nov. 17, 2023, through Jan. 1, 2024, the resort will be transformed into a winter wonderland. Millions of lights will twinkle, dozens of trees will sparkle, and hours of festive entertainment and activities will be offered for all ages.   And while Gaylord Rockies itself can’t be wrapped and placed under the tree – with more than 1,500 guest rooms and suites it would be a tight fit – event and attraction tickets make great stocking stuffers. The gift of an overnight stay would certainly spread Christmas cheer!

ICE! FEATURING A CHRISTMAS STORY™ The coolest attraction of all is ICE! featuring A Christmas Story™. This holiday spectacle, kept at 9 degrees and hand-carved by artisans out of 2 million pounds of brightly colored ice, is back again this season.

In this one-of-a-kind retelling of the iconic Christmas film, guests will see Ralphie and the whole Parker family come to life in more than 10 scenes from the movie. See the leg lamp, the pink bunny suit, and the infamous school flagpole, all carved from ice. And there’s no need to pack the coats! Even though it’s cool inside, Gaylord Rockies provides parkas to keep guests toasty as they marvel at larger-than-life displays, take photos, and wander through the one-of-a-kind, arctic attraction.

ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Love a Broadway-style spectacle? An original Gaylord Hotels production, Cirque: Spirit of Christmas features amazing acrobatics, feats of flexibility, and high-flying stunts. Designed for the entire family to enjoy, the story centers around Noel, a child dismayed by the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Trying to recapture her lost love of the season, she is visited by spirits who bring back the true meaning of the season in energetic, dreamlike chapters. A heartwarming story that soars through the air and sparkles with imagination, this 35-minute show will delight and dazzle with a riveting score, world-class contortionists, jugglers, trapeze artists, and more.

FESTIVE FUN FOR ALL    With signature events like ICE! and the popular Cirque: Spirit of Christmas show, CONTINUED > NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/ROA R I N G F O R K

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TR AVE L

classic holiday activities including photos with Santa, and thrilling experiences like the Naughty or Nice Escape Room, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during So. Much. Christmas. at Gaylord Rockies Resort.   For the thrill seekers and the chill seekers:   • Put those sleuthing skills to the test in our Naughty or Nice Escape Room. • Let your creativity run wild at the Gingerbread Decorating Corner.   • At Elf Training Academy, create a keepsake craft and learn how to become one of Santa’s helpers. • Embark on a resort-wide scavenger hunt and, with Rudolph’s help, follow the clues to find the Misfit Toys and send them on their way to their new homes. • Enjoy a cookie, sing along to holiday songs, and listen to a Christmas tale at Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions. • Visit Santa Claus, let him know what you want for Christmas, and make sure you’re on his nice list. • At Build-A-Bear Workshop®, bring your imagination to life and create a furry friend with personalized outfits, accessories, scents, and sounds. Most of these arctic adventures take place inside Gaylord Rockies’ Mistletoe Village, which also includes Yuletide Street Market, where guests can shop from a wide selection of holiday gifts, collectibles, holiday décor, wintertime clothing, and other Christmas souvenirs.

WINTER WELLNESS AT RELÂCHE SPA For those looking to chill out in a different way, there’s Relâche Spa. Drift into a state of tranquility this holiday season while enjoying a seasonal massage, facial, pedicure, or another relaxing and rejuvenating treatments at Aurora’s premier spa and fitness center.

SO. MUCH. CHRISTMAS. After a festive day of memory making, unwind with a meal at Vista Montagne, Asian-inspired cuisine in Monte Jade, or a burger at Mountain Pass Sports Bar before seeing the holidays come to life in the amazing acrobatic feats of Cirque: Spirit of Christmas show.   This season, get away together and make memories that will last forever at Gaylord Rockies Resort. Visit ChristmasAtGaylordRockies.com for package and ticket information. Enhance your holiday experience by bundling your favorite festive activities, like ICE! featuring A Christmas Story™, and enjoy savings of up to 30%.

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Gather

Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving or an autumn dinner party, setting a festive table creates the perfect cozy atmosphere. Improvise and use what you have around the house for adding elements to the table. Candlesticks, vases, little pumpkins and gourds, or fall decor you have on hand can make a great centerpiece. Add fresh flowers or dried foliage for that extra layer of texture and color.

Set t ing th e Fa l l Ta bl e ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

S EASON A L SE T U P S | L IFE + CULTURE

e Tr

ad i t i o n al Table For this classic, traditional look, a plaid throw blanket stands in for a tablecloth to establish a festive base layer. Brass candlesticks with brown taper candles create a simple and elegant centerpiece. Use familiar accents such as amber jars filled with dried grass foliage and brass pheasants to adorn the table. To add a little character to the table, use a recycled wine bottle as a vase. The simple place setting is enhanced with a dried grass accent and brown silk ribbon tied into a bow to add a special touch to your traditional display. CONTINUED >

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The F

all

yT able

Are you planning to dine al fresco this fall? Create an earthy, fall garden party on the porch by using natural, organic elements, greenery and flowers. To make a statement, create a floral chandelier by hanging flowers upside down above the table using fishing wire (if your space allows). The centerpiece that runs down the length of this table consists of fresh eucalyptus with gold candlesticks and a ceramic pumpkin vase filled with flowers placed on top of a tree trunk charger. Adding small pumpkins and fresh flowers along the center gives a little extra character. Instead of going with the classic white plate, enjoy a pop of color at your outdoor fall garden party with a blue place setting as a nod to the sky. Adding a cloth napkin and cloth placemat is a great way to add texture and more autumn color to your table. If the weather doesn’t cooperate on your day, bring the outdoors in with a lovely indoor garden party dressed up in fall foliage.

S EASON A L SE T U P S | L IFE + CULTURE

re nc h Co u n t r y Table

Rustic yet elegant, this tablescape combines the love of traditional, vintage and natural elements with an updated twist. Inspired by wooded acreage, the Spode Woodland Collection transferware designs are rooted in proper hunting tradition and perfect for marrying nature with traditional elegance. Dating back to 1831, the collection features various animals centered by the British Flowers border. This French antique dining room set was chosen for an intimate gathering for four. The fawn table runner mimicking deer spots brings an earthy, yet elevated foundation as the base for this table setting. Coordinating fawn napkins wrapped with twine and topped with natural feathers creates a whimsical touch. The stunning centerpiece starts with a vintage silver water pitcher that is then filled with fresh, sweet arrowwood Viburnums leaves. To complete the look, pair crystal glasses with vintage crystal stemware, and mix gold flatware with antique silver water pitchers, delicate salt and pepper shakers and your favorite trays.

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Falling For Neutrals SEASONAL DECOR TIPS FOR KEEPING IT SIMPLE I love decorating for the holiday season, but it gets tough if trying to keep a home decor airy, light and neutral. My home is full of neutrals, such as linen, khaki, white and gray, so decorating for the holidays can be tricky with the bright and bold themes on display at the stores. Here are tips regarding how to achieve a festive look without going overboard.

ARTICLE BY MEL BOBAN

H OM E U P DAT E | HOM E + DE S I GN

LESS IS MORE First, whenever decorating for the holiday season, I clear what's possible to make room for what's coming. I eliminate decor pieces that are displayed year-round to avoid adding clutter to rooms. Giving decor pieces or floral arrangements their own space to shine can pull the room together and make it feel very designed.

or evergreen branches with pine cones to fill vases. Add a battery-operated strand of lights and you’re looking just like a designer home magazine spread.

GO COZY Swapping out usual throw pillows and throw blankets for plushy, cuddly materials and seasonal prints are another simple way to add holiday spirit without being so literal. Opting for neutral plaids, cable knits, or sherpa materials add that feeling of fall and winter.

CATER TO ALL THE SENSES Don’t forget about the smell! Stocking up on candles that smell like the season is the last missing piece for a holiday vibe. The total sensory feeling of the holidays is what really brings a home to life, whether it's pumpkin spice burning for Thanksgiving or a fresh pine and cedar for Christmas.

STICK TO THE PALETTE As best as possible, I try to stick to each of the color palettes in my room. When it’s time to bring out pumpkins or holiday Santas, I stick to white and neutral or add in color pops of gold and silver to keep everything flowing. If I start to add too many primary colors, it ends up looking like a mash-up gone astray.

CELEBRATE MEMORIES The holidays are often bursting with family traditions and memories, and decor can reflect that, too. I have many items handed down over the years that I like admiring, but if they aren’t quite right for my room, there are options to bring the spirit of them to life. Framed holiday family photos in a black and white filter are an excellent way to tie in your history of celebrating in a subtle way.

LOOK TO NATURE Some of my favorite items to use for holiday decor come from a simple nature walk. Using actual items you find, or just getting inspiration from the outdoors is a great way to bring sights of the season indoors. For fall, elements such as branches, leaves and neutral gourds match with everything. For winter, I love using sticks with berries

If items aren’t working together, don’t be afraid to get crafty. Painting pumpkins with spray paint or tying some neutral ribbons around existing vases are an easy and affordable way to make them fit a specific aesthetic. NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/ROA R I N G F O R K

CHOCOLATE and WINE The Key to a Successful Wine and

Chocolate Pairing Lies in Finding the Right Combination of Flavors and Characteristics.

Pairing wine and chocolate together can be a delightful sensory experience that can elevate the flavors of both. While the concept of pairing wine with food is well-known, pairing it with chocolate may seem unconventional at first. However, when done correctly, it can create a harmonious balance where the flavors of the wine and chocolate complement and enhance one another. Wine and chocolate have a lot of similarities to each other. Both contain flavanols (antioxidants) and polyphenols (compounds found in plant-based food) that are good for you and have anti-inflammatory properties. These characteristics affect flavor so it’s somewhat challenging to pair wine and chocolate together. The more polyphenols, the more pronounced the bitter taste. For example, if you sip a delicious dry red wine alongside a hunk of dark chocolate, the wine will start to taste bitter and sour. The taste imbalance is coming from the heightened levels of flavanols (different types of tannin) found in both chocolate and wine that end up clashing against each other on your tongue. While it might sound counterintuitive, a good rule of thumb is to pair a wine that is “sweeter” than the chocolate itself. “Sweet” doesn’t refer to dessert wines alone. In the wine world, the term “sweet” is often used to denote ripe, fruit-forward flavors in a wine. These characteristics provide a nice balance to the bitter flavors of cocoa. Both wine and chocolate can have intense, dry flavors. In order to find the right balance, it’s best to choose wines that are a little bit softer and juicier than the chocolate you’re pairing it with. We’ve done the footwork to find several wines that partner well with chocolate. Here are our guidelines for matching chocolate with wine and a few of our favorite wine and chocolate pairings. We hope you’ll try them and then get inspired to experiment and create your own.

H AP PY H OU R | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

ARTICLE BY HALEY WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY BY CASSANDRA CASTANEDA

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TIP 1: M ATCH SUGA R WITH SUGAR When it comes to pairing chocolate and wine, you don’t want to strike a balance, you want to match sugar to sugar. Sweeter chocolate like white chocolate does better when consumed with sweeter wines and bitter chocolate like dark chocolate enjoys being paired with dryer wines. Think of it as matching sugar with sugar. A good rule of thumb is to always pair wines that are equally or slightly more sweet than the chocolate being eaten with it.

TIP 2: M ATCH INTENSIT Y WITH INTENSITY If you pair an incredibly delicately flavored dark chocolate with a full-bodied, heavy red, the intensity of the wine will destroy any of the subtlety that might have been present in the chocolate. The opposite is also true: strong-tasting chocolate will blow a delicate wine out of the water. Keep this rule of thumb in mind: light-flavored chocolates enjoy being paired with light-bodied wines and intensely flavored chocolates prefer being paired with full-bodied wines.

T I P 3 : PA I R F L AVO R S W I T H F L AVO R S Wine and chocolate both carry their own intense flavors. If the chocolate contains other ingredients such as nuts, fruit, or caramel, consider how these flavors will play with the wine. This is especially helpful to remember when enjoying truffles with wine. To avoid creating a palate power play between the two, do your best to match fruity or floral chocolates with fruity wines like Moscato or White Zinfandel. Enjoy chocolate-covered nuts alongside a nutty wine like a Madeira or Marsala. Chocolate studded with dried cranberries might pair well with a fruit-forward red with berry undertones.

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CREATING THE PERFECT PAIR DA R K CHOCOLATE Bitter to semi-sweet dark chocolates, that are 50 to 100% cacao, have intense, bitter flavors, and earthy to fruity undertones. Match the intensity without adding more dryness by pairing these chocolates with full-bodied, yet fruit-forward wines. Pairs well with: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Port, Merlot, Shiraz, Barolo

MILK CHOCOLATE Milk chocolate is typically creamier and sweeter with flavors of brown sugar, vanilla, and cream. It requires a wine that is light to medium in body, with a ripe fruit character. Pairs well with: Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sweet Riesling, Ice-Style Wine

WHITE CHOCOLATE White chocolate has a sweet, buttery flavor with notes of cream and honey. Sweet white and rosè wines help cleanse the palate of the rich flavors from white chocolate, as does sparkling spumante like Moscato d’Asti. Pairs well with: Sweet Riesling, Moscato, Semi-Dry Sparkling Whites, Gewurztraminer

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events A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

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Blood Drive

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Taste of Basalt

CA R BON DALE R ECR EATION AN D C O MMUNI T Y C E NT E R 1st Wednesday of the month from 10am-3pm! Vitalant will bring the Bloodmobile every month to the Carbondale Recreation and Community Center. Be sure to bring a photo ID. Please note you may only donate every 56 days for Whole Blood and every 112 days for Power Red (2 units instead of the usual 1).

ROARIN G FOR K CLUB A delectable fundraiser, with all proceeds directly supporting Basalt public schools to enhance educational opportunities for local students. The annual Taste of Basalt is a fund drive for the Basalt Education Foundation (BEF). Food samples, wine tasting, dancing, a silent auction and more make for a great night. The proceeds from this event help to enhance education in the Basalt Public Schools. N OV E M BE R 10 T H A N D 1 1 T H

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Emma Schoolhouse Christmas Bazaar

E MMA S CHOOL HOUS E IN BASA LT For over 40 years, the Emma Schoolhouse Christmas Bazaar has been the unofficial kickoff to holiday shopping in the midvalley. Located in the historic Emma Schoolhouse, the bazaar features all handmade food and gifts made by local artists. It’s magical how this beautiful little Schoolhouse transforms into a Rockwellian holiday boutique for the holidays.

True Colors: A Community Partnership Event

T HE ARTS CAMPUS AT W ILLITS This immersive experience is brought to you in partnership with YouthZone, TACAW, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Tom Karrell Coaching, and the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. It celebrates our local youth’s creativity and resilience, as well as an opportunity for our community to join in the discussion of positive change in support of youth and their families. FREE with RSVP at tacaw.org NOVE M BE R 2 3 RD

Turkey Trot

CA R BON DALE R ECR EATION AN D C O MMUNI T Y C E NT E R Earn that Thanksgiving dinner! Join for a 5K Walk/Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk/Run. This race is for all ages and very non-competitive. We encourage costumes, fun, and families. Prizes for 1st-3rd M/F 62+, 17-61, and 17 and under in the 5K race. The grand prize will go to the middle place 5K racer. More information: Margaret Donnelly, at 970-510-1280. D EC E M BE R 2 N D

Summit for Life 2023

AS PEN MOUN TAIN The Chris Klug Foundation (CKF) invites you to join us for the 2023 Summit for Life (S4L) and help us celebrate the 18th Annual “Kickoff to Winter” in Aspen, CO! Summit for Life is a nighttime uphill race up Aspen Mountain, and one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for CKF. Our mission is to raise awareness of the lifesaving gift of organ, eye, and tissue donation.

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Daily Gratitude Journal Prompts ARTICLE BY DELIA JO RAMSEY The art of gratitude can be healing well beyond the month of November, but this is a great time of year to get in the true mindset of gratefulness. To aid in your endeavors, check out these 30 daily gratitude journal prompts and stick to them until it feels natural.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

14. 15. 16. 17.

18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

26. 27. 28. 29. 30.

Five things that make you happy instantly: Did you get any pleasant surprises today? Did you do any acts of kindness today? What's something big or small you can do for those less fortunate than yourself? Five personality traits you're grateful for: Favorite song and how does it make you feel? One small step you can take toward overcoming a challenge you currently face: List something good that caught your attention today. What nice thing did another person do for you this week? What's something you did for another person this week? Three things you own that make your life easier: How can you turn something that makes you angry into something more pleasant? Think of five people who irritate you or you have trouble getting along with. Name three positive qualities about them. What are you most thankful for in your life? Name three of your significant accomplishments. Most stunning place you’ve ever visited: Think about the personalities and unique qualities of someone you admire. Which qualities of them do you want to see in yourself, too? What's your favorite holiday and why? What friends are you most grateful for having in your life? What basic daily necessities are you thankful for today? What are you grateful for in your career? Focus on your five senses and write down how you can make them more active. Three elements of nature you're most grateful for: Three things you love about your town: List three struggles you experienced and overcame in your life. What did you do to overcome them, and who helped you through them? What meals do you enjoy most? Something you saw this week that melted your heart: A time when someone went out of their way to support you: A happy memory from childhood: Make a list of five places you'd like to visit and consider visiting at least one very soon.

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Give yourself and loved ones the gift of beautiful teeth this season. Call us to talk 970-945-2313 or go online at urnisedentistry.com

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