Out and About in Evergreen

It was in the 80's today and as always I was out and about Evergreen. I stopped at Sundance Gardens where fall was in bloom. I checked out the "Fire Sale" at Foothill Flurries and UPS delivered boxes and boxes of Rocky Mountain style Christmas decorations while I was there. Fringe's new location by King Soopers is even cooler than their other location. They have more baby items and more "I can't live without this" things. And, I don't think I can "live without" this witch who was flying outside of Village Gourmet. Did you see the pic of the Halloween items on Village Gourmet's Fanpage!

Watermark, Linda's New Store

Linda is back in Evergreen, with a new name, Watermark, located in Bergen Village (D112). Watermark carries the quality and unique lines of gifts and paper products that made Linda's shop successful in Denver. Visit her new shop and visit her website www.cleverpaper.com

"Clever Paper for Clever People."

Gluten Free Cookie

My blog is about the Mountain communities and the businesses and activities I encounter while out and about. This is a Texas based business, but it was so good I had to share it with everyone. Vitamin Cottage/Natural Grocers was having a gluten free seminar and tasting fair. (I will post about it tomorrow). What caught my attention as I entered Natural Grocers was the distinguished older gentleman setting up a vibrant pink table. He was doing it with attention and great care. It was apparent that he believed in this product. So what would inspire this man to drive up from Texas in a truck with a pink daisy on it and set up a very pink display in Natural

Grocers, filled primarily with women? I asked him, and he told me that all of Deborah Kaye's Cookies are hand made with natural and organic ingredients. The cookies have a light crispy carmelization on the outside and a chewy middle. The big cookie takes three days to make. The finest "Certified Gluten Free" Oats from "Bob Red Mill" goes into the preparation of each cookie. Organic coconut, sucanut, wild flower honey, natural vanilla, organic fresh eggs are base ingredients for this product . He did not have to tell me all that - one taste convinced me - these are really, really, good!

Deborah Kaye's grandmother made the cookies for her family. On of Deborah Kaye's sons suggested she make the cookies for other people. Her first customers were JB's Coffee Shop and Natural Health Market in Lubbock, Texas. After two years, her husband left his job of 28 years in the food industry, they built a commercial kitchen and expanded their business. It is important to them to provide their customers with the best possible cookie (that happens to be gluten free)

Deborah Kaye's Cookies come in three flavors: Oatmeal Chocolate Pecan, Oatmeal Walnut, and Oatmeal Raisin. www.deborahkayes.com

Evergreen High School 5K Cougar Stride

Saturday morning offered perfect running weather for over 100 participants in the 5 K Cougar Stride. The finish line was in The Bergen Village shopping center and ended with music, water and cheering.

V's boutique dream became Village Casuals

Veronica worked in a boutique in the Heart of Evergreen for over a decade. During that time she developed a keen awareness of the tastes of the local women. Evergreen has its own style which reflects the individuality of the Rocky Mountain area. The residence of Evergreen are well traveled, educated and creative and confident in their personal style. Veronica's personal style has always embodied all those qualities.
Friends, family, and customers continuously encouraged Veronica to open her own boutique. She had two young children and did not feel she had the time to devote to both creating and owning a business and to caring for her family. She designed and redesigned her "dream" boutique, picking lines and styles, constantly revamping her "dream" boutique.
When the children went off to college, Veronica had an opportunity to buy a successful women's clothing store that had been in downtown Evergreen for decades. Within the first year she had transformed it into an even more successful boutique. Veronica hands pick each piece of clothing, carrying limited quantities of over thirty lines. Her criteria includes quality of workmanship, style, fashion, and wearable. Two years ago a charming building became available next to The Ice House Coffee House, on Main Street. Veronica with the help of family and friends quickly turned the building into her dream boutique. It is a delight to shop in V's, it is unique, with something for everyone's taste and lifestyle.
Veronica's current personal favorite is the hand painted leather handbags. They are practical and are made from high quality leather. The handbags are wearable art. Each one is hand painted with abstracts, imaginary and natural scenes. The muted colors and shades are a very powerful element.
My personal favorite is the jackets from the Montana Clothing Co. in Butte, Montana. I had seen these on the cover of Parenting Magazine and in the pages of Elle and Redbook. They are a timeless look, fashionably distinctive, made with quality fabrics and workmanship.
Veronica pointed out that her customers' favorite is the tee's from Fantazia. They are comfortable, flattering, and have the quality and fashion that Village Casuals is known for. Veronica says the colors make the shirts a nice addition to update and add a new look to existing wardrobe items. Veronica and Beverly work with their customers to ensure they make the most flattering style and color selections.
Veronica and her husband, Garth, are supportive of the community and attend the local fundraisers and events. Veronica is a member of the Evergreen Downtown Business Association and the Evergreen Area Chamber of Commerce. She offers special shopping days with discounts for local residents. Veronica works at making shopping easy for her customers. She offers LAYAWAY and will ship. 303-674-8633

Like a Rock

It was a beautiful Saturday morning, evolving into a perfect autumn day. My days are filled with interesting people who make my experiences wonderful and diverse, (and Elk!) Everyday I say to myself, "Life is too short." This has nothing to do with my age, but it may have to do with being surrounded by the natural beauty of this area. I try to absorb the beauty, the peace, and the joy into every pore of my body. I was out doing Saturday morning things. As I was dropping off my recycling the man parked next to me comments "beautiful day" and I agreed. Then he tells me "life is too short." I agreed and asked, "how old are you?" 93 he replies. He climbed into a big Chevy truck and as he drove away I noticed the license plate, it said LKAROCK (Like A Rock).

Another "Evergreen Style" Traffic Jam

One of the interesting things about Evergreen style traffic jams, is the quietness and the stillness. There is very little conversation and it is always in whispers. There appear to be no parking rules and the traffic cop is a Park Ranger, his name is Daniel Flint, and he was also talking in whispers.

MOB Factory Inc.

Tucked away at the top of Bryant Drive is an indoor skateboard park, MOB Factory, Inc. It was filled with skate ramps, teenagers, wildly painted walls and loud music. It is a teenager's skateboard heaven. MOB Factory manufactures skateboards, which are pieces of art, created by local artists. They carry skateboard decks, trucks, wheels, bearings, and skate tools. The company also does silk screening and custon embroidery, and a line of MOB apparel. There is pricing available on their website. MOB Factory has a Fanpage, check out their specials and events.
JR Iannaccone and his wife moved to Evergreen because they were impressed with the schools and believed this would offer their children and themselves a quality lifestyle. They are supportive of the local nonprofits and were one of the "non" chili booths at the Big Chili Cook Off, and plan to be back next year with MOB cookies.

Take Me Home

This little guy is spending time at Family Veterinary Hospital in Evergreen. Kevin has done dental work and is planning surgery on his leg. He was left at a shelter and did not come with a name. He's has very big ears and is the sweetest little dog. All he wants is a home, and he really wants a home, he wants to go with everyone who talks to him. He is a heartbreaker. For information contact Family Veterinary Hospital at 303-679-8387 www.evergreenfamilyvet.com

The Cupboard is Bare!

This was going to be a post about Evergreen Christian Outreach's (EChO) upcoming fundraising event, Sweet Dreams Dinner Dance, October 16, at Mount Vernon Country Club.
I stopped at EChO's food bank to pick up information regarding the event. What I found were bare shelves. EChO provides food for an average of 40 FAMILIES a week and depends upon churches and individuals for donations, it is not government funded. The recession has taken a toll on everyone, EChO is not offering a hand out, they're offering a hand up. They provide short term assistance with rent, utilities, car repairs, child care and medical bills. EChO works at preventing homelessness when families are struggling with illness, unemployment, underemployment, disability, and short term personal and financial crisis.
The people turning to EChO came from all walks of life and backgrounds. None of us are immune to economic or health crisis. We are going into Winter, which will bring more hardships to struggling families. Please, take a $20 bill and buy a few food items and donate them to Evergreen Christian Outreach. Its not that much money and it will provide so much to someone who has nothing. The stories of empty cupboards, children not having enough to eat, and the elderly going without food are happening here in our community.
Evergreen Christian Outreach is located next to the Church of Transfiguration, across from Bear's Auto on Highway 74. If this is out of your way, EChO's Thrift Store is on the frontage road between Safeway and the Post Office. Please donate.
www.evergreenchristianoutreach.org/

The Boob Incident

Monday morning and there were unexpected emails to answer and small fires to be put out. I pressed a white blouse and my jeans, in Evergreen this is a professional look. There were phone calls to answer and only fifteen minutes to make it to my first appointment. I gathered up my business cards and information, the library books I needed to return, the muffins for the 11:00 luncheon, I scribbled the luncheon address on a big bright yellow, daisy shaped post it, and slapped it on the front of my day timer, and I remembered my phone and camera. Darn, I'm good, I have everything, I'm running on time and I'm looking good.
At 9:30 I walk in the door of my first appointment, a long time business friend and a hard sell. But, I have a good track record with this client and I am confident and enthusiastic. He's expressionless and distracted. I'm not sure if he's thinking through what I am saying or I have lost him. Finally, I say "you know I'm brilliant at this." Slowly and seriously in a long drawn out Texas accent, he looks me straight in the eye and says "Well if you're so damn brilliant why does your boob have an address!" I look down, on the tip of my breast is a big yellow daisy with an address written in red ink. We both break out in laughter. I just turn and walk out the door.

Reflection of Peace

Tuesday, September 21 is International Day of Peace. A community observance will be held from 7:00pm to 8:00pm at the Buchanan Pond and Buchanan Recreation Center (Hwy 74 and Ellingwood Trail). This is the 8th year that Evergreen Peace has organized this event and once again welcomes the participation of the "I Love U Guys" www.iloveyouguys.org. Please join us and light a candle for peace. We will observe five minutes of silence at 7:30.
Bring a dripless candles with wind protection or other light sources, music and thoughts of peace to share. For more information call 303-674-9454 or email
group@evergreenpeace.org

Evergreen Crafters

Evergreen Crafters is located in the Heart of Evergreen. This charming and historic area is 35 minutes from Denver, up Bear Creek Canyon. (You could take I-70, but you would miss the warm colors and the calmness of autumn in the Mountains) Evergreen Crafters is the oldest retail shop in Evergreen, it has been doing business for over 40 years. The shop is filled with delights for all tastes and budgets. They carry t-shirts, moccasins, home accessories, jewelry and more. My favorite thing is the fishing flies made into earrings.
Enjoy a Saturday afternoon in Evergreen, walk around the Lake, have lunch on a creek side deck, indulge in an ice cream cone, and shop Evergreen Crafters.