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Are you training for the BIG conversations?

What feels like both yesterday and a long time ago my daughter was in 2nd grade, and a friend was being mean to her. In my quest to support her I discovered “Little Girls Can Be Mean” by Michelle Anthony and Reyna Lindert.

That book taught me the importance of connecting with my daughter – and maybe more importantly – the necessity of maintaining that connection through her pre-teen and teen years.  The authors say that if you don’t freak out about her 2nd grade questions and problems, then she will continue to come to you with her struggles as she gets older – when her questions and problems get increasingly complex.

This desire to create and maintain connection with my daughter inspired me to create a mobile game company that focuses on helping kids and their caregivers connect in a fun and comfortable way. I recently launched Audrey & Alexis in the iOS App Store (it’s coming to Google Play and the Amazon Appstore soon).  In this interactive story girls encounter age appropriate social situations and get to choose how to respond. After each episode parents get a guide that helps them talk to their daughters about the themes in that episode. The first segment covers cliques. Future segments will cover things like bullying, body image, and tech use.

The Payoff

My daughter is now 14, and the other day she wanted to talk about sex. Not just the birds and the bees mechanics – but the really hard, UNCOMFORTABLE stuff.  “What does this word mean? What does that word mean? Why would anyone ever want to do THAT?

Ugh. It was HARD. My husband and I were definitely turning green at various points. But we had a great conversation! And I’m really proud of us. She didn’t feel shame about her questions. We got to share our values. She got better information than she would get from her middle school buddies.

It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be, and I think it’s because we’ve been practicing for this.

In the lead-up to launching Audrey & Alexis I’ve talked to lots of parents – and they all say, “My parents didn’t talk to me about any of this stuff. I’m going to be a different kind of parent. We’re going to talk about everything!” When I ask them what conversations they’ve had with their daughters, they say, “Oh, she’s not ready yet! She’s into art/reading/sports. She’s not thinking about any of that growing up stuff.”

We fear that by talking about growing up we will inadvertently make our kids grow up before we’re ready for it. That is not the case though. In fact, when we talk to our kids about this stuff we have the opportunity to share our values and to guide and explore theirs.

Take a look at Audrey & Alexis and see what you think!

Sadie Honey, is the Founder of I Decide Me Games and the Creator of Audrey & Alexis, a mobile app in which 2nd – 4th grade girls practice tough social situations and parents get a guide to help start meaningful conversations that will continue for a lifetime.

Broadway Legends Released A Gorgeous New Single To Benefit March For Our Lives

If you haven’t been inspired by the thousands who participated in March for Our Lives, this will do it.

Broadway legends Lin-Manuel Miranda and Ben Platt were inspired by the thousands of students who mobilized for change following the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. They dropped a new single to benefit the initiative.

The song, “Found/Tonight,” is a mash-up of “You Will Be Found” from the hit musical Dear Evan Hansen and “The Story of Tonight” from Hamilton.

Talk to the Camera Summer Camp where kids dream, write and create movies and video

Looking for some FULL day and HALF day options to keep your kiddos entertained this summer? Check out Talk to the Camera for a variety of one-of-a-kind camps that will do MUCH more than entertain your kiddos!

At Talk to the Camera Summer Camps KIDS:

  • LEARN– getting HANDS ON experience behind the scenes and on camera.
  • HAVE FUN– sharing their ideas to create unique videos and movies!
  • WORK with industry professionals – Their will be stunt coordinators, FX specialists and choreographers in some of our classes!
  • FLOURISH – Learning or improving on many critical skills – communication, self-confidence and social skills.

Kids dream, write, create, film, act in and produce movies and video.

Talk to the Camera is Colorado’s First On-Camera & Movie-Making Program for kids. These camps involve hands-on movie and video making – As student create their own news broadcasts, YouTube videos or mini-movies, they also GAIN CONFIDENCE, let their on-camera personality SHINE and become more EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATORS. Talk to the Camera camps also give your kiddos a jumpstart in adapting in positive ways to our media-driven world, so they can make videos that are effective for school projects, job interviews, or social media.

Your kids will love this program!

This summer Talk to the Camera is offering HALF DAY and FULL DAY camps, and has added some exciting, new programs.

The sky’s the limit and the fun is abundant. Guest Stars share their insider knowledge;

  • Scary Movie students learn from a special FX makeup artist.
  • Super Heroes & Villains Mini-Movie students learn from a professional stunt coordinator for an added punch!
  • Action Video students will have all the moves with a Parkour athlete sharing their expertise!

All CAMPERS are invited to an end-of-summer RED CARPET SCREENING

When your kiddo takes a Talk to the Camera camp, they become part of a family who supports your child’s journey into young adulthood. Many of their past students now work with Talk to the Camera as assistants and ambassadors!

CHECK OUT THESE GREAT DEALS ON SALE NOW!

  • Super Early Bird – 20% off registration when you register by April 17
  • Early Bird – 10% off when you register at least 2 weeks prior to camp start date
  • Discounts automatically applied during the registration process

Scholarships Available

Talk to the Camera has a HEART for kids and mentoring children with a special interest in the types of camps offered. TTTC is committed to providing scholarship opportunities for families who may need financial support, to ensure a great summer of learning and self-expression. If you are interested in being considered for a full or partial scholarship, please click here to learn more and apply.  https://talktothecamera.com/2018-scholarship.html)

QUICK LOOK AT SUMMER CAMPS

Weeklong, half and full-day camps available, in several locations throughout Denver Metro.

  • Mini-Movie
  • Video Buzz
  • Video Buzz – YOUth Tubers
  • New Broadcast
  • Mini-Movie Comedy
  • Music Video Camp
  • Mini-Movie – Scary Movie
  • Action Video
  • Mini-Movie – Sci-Fi/Fantasy
  • Mini-Movie – Super Heroes & Villains
  • Princess Power Movie
  • TTTC Student Film Festival & Contest

Find out more about Talk to the Camera camps by clicking here. *Discounts available at AEC Studio Camps Only, click here to check out our amazing discounts for AEC Studio.

New initiative aims to have middle schoolers put their phones away

Yesterday, the Screenagers team officially launched a website-based initiative, “Away For The Day” initiative,  to promote middle schools to adopt policies where phones are put away for the day in places like lockers. We have worked for many months on this and the site is full of super cool resources and videos to empower anyone to make changes.  

Would you take 2 seconds to PLEDGE at AwayForTheDay.org to show your support of this initiative? OUR IMMEDIATE GOAL is to to get 1,000 pledges by March 31st, so when we go to news outlets we can show them how much parents, teachers, principals, and others care about this issue! Please share via social, email and word of mouth.

Thanks to the many of you who participated in our national survey, we learned that 55% of middle schools let students carry phones all day, yet 82% of parents do not want their kids using phones at school. The science supports parents when it comes to academic success and emotional well-being for middle schoolers. Inspired by the science and what you told us you wanted, we created Away For The Day.

For today’s Tech Talk Tuesday here are some questions:

  1. What upsides can you see for middle schoolers if they had their phones away for the day?
  2. Which of your friends, family members or work colleagues seem to have a constant need to be checking their phone or looking at a screen? Who do you know who doesn’t seem to be pulled by screens in the same way?
  3. When middle schools do allow students to carry phones, do you think that the students who, for whatever reason, have a particularly hard time not checking their phone, are at a minor or major disadvantage?
  4. Thank you again for sharing the website with your community so that they will pledge and get all the free resources.

For more discussion ideas, you can peruse past Tech Talk Tuesdays. If you are interested in seeing Screenagers, you can find event listings on our site and find out how to host a screening. 

Contest: Toddlers, Sensitive Skin, and Science Behind This Colorado Skincare Company

The Reason I Started My Colorado Skincare Company

My company, Brevity, launched in August but It really started long before that. I was raised in Colorado by a nature-loving artist who would give me chicken soup, chamomile tea and comfrey compresses before resorting to medicine, or store-bought creams. I was always curious about how these things worked, and why an aloe leaf felt better than the green aloe goo from Walgreens. This same curiosity led me to choose Biology as my undergraduate major. I’ve been creating products ever since.

When I became a mom, this little passion of mine became more of a lifestyle. I wanted to put only the best, natural things on my son’s sensitive skin. He has eczema and is prone to itchy dry spots. The defining moment came after a camping trip. The weekend in the elements did our little guy no favors. He had some pretty angry outbreaks.

Nothing is more motivating than having a child who needs something. So, I developed my first and favorite skin care product. Renew is made with food-grade aloe vera juice, natural sweet almond oil, and rose absolute essential oil. I tried at least 25 different recipes for this product, with different oils and essential oils, but nothing compared to this blend. I knew I wanted to use juice (rather than gel) because it is lighter and absorbs into the skin without that sticky, stiff feeling that aloe can have. And nothing compares to the benefits of rose absolute. Everything in Renew has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as being ultra light and moisturizing. The best part is, I put it in a spray bottle. So I don’t have to play WWE to apply it to my squirmy toddler.

I ended up loving it so much I went through two bottles in a week. I put it under my makeup, use it on my son’s sensitive skin, bug bites, sunburns, and dry patches. I gave it to my mom-friends to try, and they loved it, too.  We can all use some extra moisture in Colorado’s climate. A few months later, and five months into my second pregnancy, I started my company. I wanted to share these products, and share everything I’ve learned about natural skincare.

Bare is my second favorite product, and my most popular. It’s an organic coffee and cane sugar body scrub made with coconut, olive and jojoba oils. I have never tried a scrub I like more. My husband uses it on his hands and feet, and they have never been so soft. Dream, lavender essential oil therapy spray is another household favorite. I put it on my sheets before bed. Soothe, is a must-have mustard bath that smells like heaven, relaxes sore muscles, and relieves rashy skin. My candles are made with natural beeswax, organic coconut oil, and an organic cotton wick. They will not off-gas and smell incredible!

Every single product I make in small batches with my family in mind. I spend months researching every ingredient, and it’s benefits to the skin. If I don’t use it, I won’t sell it. It is a labor of love, just like motherhood, well, second to motherhood anyway.

Deal

Get 20% off your entire purchase by using the code MILEHIGHMAMA at https://www.etsy.com/shop/brevityco.

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    Easter Bunny Breakfast at Outlets at Castle Rock!

    Guess who’s coming to town this week? Hint: It ain’t Santa!

    Join the Easter Bunny and Outlets at Castle Rock on March 31st, 2018 at 8:30 – 10 a.m. in the food court for a special Flippin’ Flapjacks breakfast. There will be fun activities for the children, such as face painting and a photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny, so come dressed in your Easter outfits! The kids will also receive a special pair of Easter Bunny ears.

    The breakfast will cost $5 which will go directly to Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, or instead of a $5 ticket, you can bring a food item (see list below) to support Catholic Charities and pay for your flapjack meal.

    Catholic Charities serves the Douglas County community by offering programs to help individuals and families build resiliency and move toward self-sufficiency. As Douglas County continues to grow, so do the needs of its most vulnerable citizens, particularly those that are homeless.  Your contribution will allow us to provide nutrition and in turn, improve the physical condition of many individuals who are facing hardship.

    Fun while giving back? The Easter Bunny approves!

    Top 5 Emergency Food Needs:

    1. Canned single serve meals (pop top)
    2. Soup (pop top)
    3. Ramen (cup of noodles or in a bowl)
    4. Fruit cup (pop top)
    5. Granola Bars/Energy Bars

    Outlets at Castle Rock is conveniently located between the Denver Metro Area and Colorado Springs region at I-25 and Exit 184 in Castle Rock, Colorado. For more information please visit www.outletsatcastlerock.com. To join the Outlets at Castle Rock community, please follow us on Facebook @OutletsatCastleRock, Instagram @outletsatcastlerock, Twitter @OutletsCR and Snapchat @OutletsCR and use #CastleRockIt.

     

    2,700 Students and Teachers Attend Hamilton Performance

    The innovative educational program that debuted at HAMILTON on Broadway continued at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, March 21 when 2,700 students and teachers from 38 Denver area high schools attended the matinee performance of the musical at The Buell Theatre. 

     The all-student matinee performance in Denver provided more than 2,700 Denver area high school students the opportunity to experience the musical HAMILTON after having spent several weeks in their classrooms studying American history through a special integrated curriculum about Alexander Hamilton and the nation’s Founding Fathers.  

    In addition to seeing a performance of HAMILTON, students participated in a Q&A with members of the HAMILTON cast.  As well, students representing various schools in attendance performed an original work they created based on their classroom studies – songs, rap, poetry, scenes, monologues – on The Buell Theatre stage in front of their peers.   

    The Hamilton Education Program is one of several history education programs at the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Its president, James G. Basker — who devised the education program in New York in tandem with HAMILTON creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, producer Jeffrey Seller, The Rockefeller Foundation and the NYC Department of Education — adds, “This project is transformative. HAMILTON has struck a chord with our nation’s students because it embodies what great history education is all about: bringing the past to life, and fostering connections with the exceptional individuals and moments that have made us who we are. This program empowers students to reclaim their own narrative and empowers teachers to bridge classroom learning with the stage.”

    Schools that participated in the March 21 program included: 

    • Alameda International High School
    • Arapahoe Ridge High School
    • Atlas Preparatory School
    • Bruce Randolph High School
    • Denver School of Science and Technology Green Valley Ranch High School
    • Denver South High School
    • DSST: College View High School
    • Early College Academy
    • Emily Griffith High School
    • Global Leadership Academy
    • Harrison High School
    • High Tech Early College
    • John F. Kennedy High School
    • Justice High School
    • KIPP Denver Collegiate High School
    • KIPP Northeast Denver Leadership Academy
    • Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy
    • Legacy Options High School
    • Manual High School
    • Mapleton Early College High School
    • Moffat School (K-12)
    • Monte Vista High School
    • Noel Community Arts School
    • North High School
    • Northglenn High School
    • Overland High School
    • RiseUp Community School
    • Sheridan High School
    • Sierra High School
    • Strive Prep RISE
    • STRIVE Prep- SMART
    • STRIVE Prepatory Schools – Excel Campus
    • The New America School Thornton
    • Vantage Point High School
    • Venture Prep
    • West Early College
    • West Leadership Academy
    • York International

      Google has worked with the HAMILTON producers to make tickets for this educational partnership available thanks to funding from their philanthropic arm, Google.org. HAMILTON is the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War.

    50 events for Easter weekend in Denver

    Easter weekend is upon us! Don’t miss these egg hunts, brunches and Easter Bunny meet-ups. There are plenty of other general events as well including free days, free spring break tours and Boulder Arts Week. See our event calendar for more information. 

    Easter Events

    Easter Bunny Breakfast at Outlets at Castle Rock
    Mar 31, 8:30 am – 10:00 am
    Join the Outlets at Castle Rock in the food court for a special Flippin’ Flapjacks breakfast. There will be fun activities for the children, such as face painting and a photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny, so come dressed in your Easter outfits! The kids will also receive a special pair of Easter Bunny ears. The breakfast will cost $5 which will go directly to Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, or instead of a $5.00 ticket, you can bring a food item (see list below) to support Catholic Charities and pay for your flapjack meal.

    District Easter Egg Hunt at Evergreen Park & Recreation 
    Mar 30, 4:45 pm – 5:45 pm
    Evergreen Park & Recreation District Easter Egg Hunt, 5:30 p.m. Calling all water babies! This is an aquatic egg hunt at Buchanan Pool. Wear your swimsuit, don your goggles and dive in to collect eggs and exchange them for candy. Bring a plastic bag or bucket to collect eggs. Parents must accompany children and 3 and younger in the pool. Ages 1 to 3 start at 5:30 p.m., 4 to 6 start at 5:45 p.m. and ages 7+ start at 6 p.m. 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen, 720-880-1100.

    Flashlight Egg Hunt at Northglenn Recreation Center
    Mar 30, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
    Flashlight Egg Hunt at Northglenn Recreation Center, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Youth ages 9 to 14 can search the recreation grounds for Easter eggs. Some eggs will have candy and others will have prizes! Check-in at 7:30 p.m. and the hunt starts at 8:15 p.m. Fun continues after the hunt with a DJ, inflatables, and even more prizes in the gymnasium. Cost is $6 for residents, $7 for non-residents. Preregistration is REQUIRED, call 303-450-8800 or register online. RecTrac Code 10967001. Northglenn Recreation Center, 11801 Community Center Drive.

    Easter Egg Hunt at The Bindery 
    Mar 31, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
    Bring the family to The Bindery (1817 Central St.) this Easter and enjoy a fun-filled egg hunt followed by a delicious brunch. In addition to the usual menu, The Bindery will have treats for kiddos and special Easter brunch items. The egg hunt will take place on March 31st from 8-9 a.m. inside the spacious restaurant and on the patio (weather permitting). Brunch service on Sunday, April 1 will begin at 9 a.m. and go through 3pm.The restaurant will be closed for dinner that evening. Reservations can be made through Reserve.com or by calling 303.993.2364. Children’s activities are open on a walk-in basis.

    Family Sports Dome Egg Scramble at Family Sports Dome 
    Mar 31, 8:30 am – 11:00 am
    Family Sports Dome Egg Scramble, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Free egg hunt (rain or shine!). Each age group will have a chance to search the course. And afterward, kids can burn off a few jelly beans with inflatables and fitness van activities. Bring your own basket. Children 3 and younger start at 9 a.m., ages 4 to 6 at 9:30 a.m., ages 7 to 9 at 10 a.m. and ages 10 to 12 at 10:30 a.m. 6959 S. Peoria St., Centennial, 303-754-0552.

    Easter Candy Hunt at Mile High Flea Market 
    Mar 31, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
    Come see the Easter bunny, hunt for candy, enter the prize raffle and enjoy the live radio remote! We have quite the Easter party planned, so bring out the family and celebrate with us on SATURDAY, March 31st! Stop by the check-in table at 9:00am to get your raffle ticket!

    Egg Hunt at Jared’s Nursery Gift & Garden 
    Mar 31, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
    Jared’s Nursery Gift & Garden Egg Hunt, 10 a.m. to noon Over 17,000 Easter Eggs were found last year! Staggered start times by age group. Bring your camera for pictures with the Easter Bunny. 10500 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton, 303-979-6022.

    Faith Mountain “No Hunt” Easter Eggstravaganza at Faith Mountain 
    Mar 31, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Faith Mountain “No Hunt” Easter Eggstravaganza, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Instead of a traditional egg hunt, this is a full event with carnival games, FREE pancake breakfast, bounce houses, cookie decorating, magic show and 20,000+ candy-filled eggs. Cars lined up in the parking lot (much like a Trunk or Treat event) that will be decorated and each car will have a fun carnival type game for the children to play and “earn” their Easter eggs. Children will be able to go from car to car to play games and receive their candy filled Easter eggs. Two sets of carnival games — some geared towards 4 and under and others for 5-12 years old. 12344 W. Alameda Pkwy., Lakewood.

    Ft. Lupton Campus Egg Hunt at Crossroads Church 
    Mar 31, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
    Crossroads Church – Ft. Lupton Campus Egg Hunt, 10 a.m. Candy, door prizes and a show. Held rain or shine! 1115 1st St., Ft. Lupton.

    Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunt at South Fellowship Church 
    Mar 31, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
    Join us for one huge glow party on Saturday March 31st. Games, snacks, and Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunts happening every 20 minutes. This free event is open to the community and sponsored by the Kid’s Ministry.

    Golden Family Easter at Parfet Park 
    Mar 31, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
    Golden Family Easter, 10 a.m. sharp! Get there early as once the bell sounds, kids sweep the park clean in less than 1 minute!, then head into downtown for activities sponsored by merchants. Parfet Park, 701 Washington Ave., Golden.

    Highlands Ranch Community Easter Egg Hunt, Northridge Park 
    Mar 31, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
    Highlands Ranch Community Easter Egg Hunt, 10 a.m. sharp! (Get there early). More than 25,000 eggs. For children ages one to 11. Meet the Easter Bunny. Event is outside – rain, snow or shine. Northridge Park, 8801 Broadway, Highlands Ranch.

    Hope Community Church Egg Hunt at Platt Park 
    Mar 31, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
    Hope Community Church Egg Hunt at Platt Park, 10 a.m. sharp! Tons of eggs and prizes at Platt Park. Donuts & coffee, too. Get there early. 1501 S. Logan St., Denver.

    Parker Easter Egg Hunt at O’Brien Park 
    Mar 31, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
    Parker Easter Egg Hunt, 10 a.m. to noon. Annual egg hunt at O’Brien Park sponsored by area Parker churches. Hunt is a morning of candy-filled eggs, prizes and family fun. 10795 Victorian Dr., Parker.

    Prospect Rec & Park District Easter Egg Hunt at Maple Grove Park 
    Mar 31, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
    Prospect Rec & Park District Easter Egg Hunt, 10 a.m. sharp! (Get there early). Tons of eggs and the Easter Bunny. Maple Grove Park, 14600 West 32nd. Ave., Golden.

    Free Easter Event at Bass Pro Shop 
    Mar 31, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
    March 31st, Bass Pro Shops, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. FREE professional photos with the Easter Bunny, crafts and activities all day. Easter egg hunt for kids ages 2 to 10 at 2 p.m. Arrive early to register. 7970 Northfield Blvd., Denver.

    Glendale Easter Eggstravganza
    Mar 31, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
    Glendale Easter Eggstravganza, 11 a.m. sharp! Egg hunt at Infinity Park Turf Field for kids 13 and under. Bring a camera to take pictures with the Easter Bunny. Find one of three prize eggs for an extra special prize. (In case of bad weather, the hunt will be held in the Glendale Sports Center Gym for ages 8 and under only). 4599 E. Tennessee Ave., Glendale.

    Heritage Amusement Park Easter Celebration, Heritage Amusement Park Easter Celebration 
    Mar 31, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
    Heritage Amusement Park Easter Celebration, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Easter egg hunts for different age groups throughout the day in the picnic area. Ages 2 to 6 start at noon, ages 7 to 12 start at 1 p.m. Get your picture taken with a special visit from the Easter Bunny. All attractions will be open, weather pending. FREE gate admission ($14 to $20 for unlimited ride wrist bands). Parking is free. 18301 W. Colfax Ave., Golden.

    Roaming Easter Bunny at Belmar in Downtown Lakewood 
    The Easter Bunny will be taking to the streets of Belmar March 24, 11 – 2 pm, March 25, 12 – 3 pm and March 31, 11 – 2 pm. Families are welcome to snap selfies with the Easter bunny and pets too.

    Wilmore Outdoor Living Center Egg Hunt 
    Mar 31, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
    Wilmore Outdoor Living Center Egg Hunt, 11 a.m. sharp! Children 10 and younger can hunt for eggs filled with candy. Come early so kids can line up by age group. 711 E. County Line Rd., Littleton, 303-795-5339.

    Easter Sunrise Service at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre 
    Apr 1,  5:30 am – 6:45 am

    Easter at YMCA of the Rockies at Estes Park Center 
    March 31 and April 1

    YMCA of the Rockies will host their annual egg hunt with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, March 31 at 9:30 a.m. Refreshments and photo opportunities follow with the Easter Bunny and additional activities throughout the afternoon.  On April 1st, Hyde Chapel will hold an Easter Sunday service at 10 a.m and a delicious Easter Brunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Cost: Adults: $35; children aged 6-12: $15; children ages 5 and under free

    Easter Brunch at Social Fare 
    Apr 1, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
    Social Fare Denver Dining + Drinks at the JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek is hosting a special Easter Brunch on Sunday, April 1st. Social Fare’s Easter Brunch will be held from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. and the price is $44 for adults and $22 for children. Ages 6 and under can join for free. Families can enjoy a delicious brunch, a visit with the Easter Bunny and a dedicated playroom for children to enjoy movies, games and their own holiday buffet. 

    Hams and Hamstrings Easter Sunday 5K
    Apr 1, 8:00 am – 10:30 am
    Add something new to your family Easter tradition and join us for a brisk run on Easter Sunday. You bring the hamstrings and we’ll bring the HAMS … prizes for top finishers and best costumes. And EVERY FINISHER will receive a mini Easter ham!! The Hams and Hamstrings® 5K is a community favorite each year.

    ELWAY’S Downtown Easter Brunch Buffet at ELWAY’S Downtown at The Ritz-Carlton
    Apr 1, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

    Join us at ELWAY’S Downtown for our annual Easter Brunch Buffet! Spring is around the corner, and our annual Easter Brunch Buffet will offer guests a scrumptious selection of culinary delights for the whole family including fresh fruit and breakfast breads, cheese and, fresh greens, chilled seafood, two carving stations, an egg station and delectable desserts.

    Covenant Presbyterian DTC Easter Egg Hunt at Covenant Presbyterian 
    Apr 1, 11:45 am – 12:45 pm
    Covenant Presbyterian DTC Easter Egg Hunt, 11:15 a.m.. Held on church grounds for preschoolers to 5th graders. 5400 S. Yosemite St., Greenwood Village.

    General Events

    Free Day at Molly Brown House Museum 
    Mar 28, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
    Free admission for the residents of: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties – must show ID. January 20, March 28, June 3, August 1 (Colorado Day), September 22, and November 10 (Veteran’s Day). On the free day, please consider making a donation according to your ability. 

    Like Mentoring Teens? Foster a Teen! at Sheridan Library 
    Mar 28, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
    It takes one positive adult relationship to change the course of a teen’s life. Please join to see how you could be that person to make the difference on Wednesday, March 28th at Sheridan Library, 3425 W. Oxford Ave., Denver from 6:00-7:30. Light refreshments served. Contact Sara at 303-225-4073 for more information or to schedule a more convenient time.

    Colorado Avalanche vs. Philadelphia Flyers at Pepsi Center 
    Mar 28, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
    Colorado Avalanche vs. Philadelphia Flyers

    Grand Opening at the Women, Infants and Children Clinic 
    Mar 29, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
    Pregnant women, infants, children and their parents in South Jeffco can now receive nutrition education and breastfeeding support closer to home. On March 13, Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) opened a new WIC clinic, also known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, in Littleton at 11139 Bradford Road. The Littleton Clinic is located in the same building as the Department of Motor Vehicles near Chatfield Avenue and Kipling Parkway.

    Free Spring Break Family Tour at Clyfford Still Museum 
    Mar 29 – 30 
    Enjoy a free art adventure for the whole family! Designed for children five through ten years old and their caregivers, family tours are an interactive way to explore the art on view. Every tour features games, close looking, and an art project to take home. Our professional team of gallery teachers will introduce a different theme–such as color, line, shape, movement, music, or architecture–in every tour.

    Boulder Arts Week 
    Mar 30  – Apr 7 
    The 5th annual Boulder Arts Week will take place on March 30 to April 7, 2018, at venues throughout the city. Celebrating Boulder Artists, the Week is Boulder’s only large-scale, inclusive celebration of our community’s vibrant arts and cultural offerings, promoting and celebrating our city’s thriving creativity. Join us to celebrate the city’s excellent artists and arts and culture offerings such as art walks, First Fridays, exhibitions, performances, dance, music, theater, public art, artist demonstrations, lectures, readings, and workshops.

    Ballet Director’s Choice at June Swaner Gates Concert Hall at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts 
    Mar 30  – Apr 1 
    Colorado Ballet will close out its season with a collection of ballets in Ballet Director’s Choice, which includes Pillar of Fire by choreographer Antony Tudor with music by Arnold Schoenberg, Brief Fling by choreographer Twyla Tharp with music by Michel Colombier and Percy Grainger, and a third work to be announced. Pillar of Fire is made possible through a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

    Jeff & Paige at Gunbarrel Brewing Company 
    Mar 31, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
    Join us for our first-ever kids’ concert in Gunbarrel at this spacious, family-owned, kid-friendly “hop spot.” Award winning duo “Jeff & Paige” present a science and nature-themed show for the kids complete with live, original music, educational skits, quick costume changes and loads of audience interaction. Perfect for kids ages 3-8.

    Hot Import Nights Denver 2018 
    Mar 31, 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
    HIN is a unique nationwide automotive festival taking place at the Denver Mart. The HIN experience will feature a world recognized car competition showcasing hundreds of customized vehicles, Top Car Crews and Teams, Pioneer DJ Main Stage w/ Headliner DJ Talent, Wish HOT 100 Car Competition, Featured Industry Models in the Model Lounge, Miss HIN Model Competition, Auto Aftermarket Exhibitors, Merchandise Stands, Entertainment Zones, Concessions, plus tons of festival attractions. HIN makes way to Denver for the very first time!

    Colorado Rapids vs. Philadelphia Union at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park 
    Mar 31, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
    The Colorado Rapids will square off against Philadelphia Union at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Don’t miss out on this exciting game!

    Denver Nuggets vs. Milwaukee Bucks at Pepsi Center 
    Apr 1 ,6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    The Denver Nuggets face off against the Milwaukee Bucks.

    Free Day at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms 
    Apr 3, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
    Free Days occur throughout the year at both York Street and Chatfield Farms, thanks to funding from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). No tickets are needed for admission to Free Days. Free Days are for regular Gardens hours only and do not include ticketed events.

    Free Target Tuesday Nights at Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus 
    Apr 3, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    Target is committed to giving back to the communities where their guests and team members live and work. Through their generous sponsorship of the Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, families can play for FREE the first Tuesday of each month from 4 – 8 pm.

    Ongoing Events and Exhibits 

    Butterfly Pavilion
    Colorado’s only invertebrate zoo, will debuted its newest interactive exhibit, Survival, beginning March 24, 2018. This exhibit will give a fascinating, up-close look at the incredible ways some of the world’s smallest animals overcome the challenges of an invertebrate world. Butterfly Pavilion’s 30,000-square foot facility is located in Westminster at 6252 West 104th Ave.

    Dead Sea Scrolls at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science
    March 16-Sept. 3
    Dead Sea Scrolls is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see authentic Dead Sea Scrolls, ancient manuscripts that include the oldest known biblical documents dating back over 2,000 years. The scrolls will be dramatically presented within a massive exhibit case featuring carefully regulated individual chambers, along with the full English translation. dmns.org/dead-sea-scrolls

    Be the Astronaut at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
    October 1, 2017 – March 31, 2018; Monday – Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm Sunday: 12 pm – 5 pm
    Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum (Wings) enthusiastically announces the arrival of Be The Astronaut, an interactive pod-based exhibit that thrusts visitors into a world of space discovery.  Broken down into three interactive parts, Be The Astronaut first places “explorers” at a NAV (Navigation) Station to explore basic concepts of the universe. Second, guests move to a SCI (Science) Station that reinvents the way users think about the science and technology needed to thrive in outer space. Finally, participants move to the FLY Station. The FLY Station puts guests in control of a variety of spacecraft, including a lander, a rover and an interplanetary spaceship, on a wide variety of extraterrestrial missions. http://wingsmuseum.org/

    Becoming Butterflies at CU South Denver
    Now through June 2, 2018, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
    Location: CU South Denver
    Becoming Butterflies is a fascinating look at some of the world’s most captivating insects throughout their entire life cycle. A successful journey means overcoming natural enemies, evading predators and transforming from a tiny egg to creeping caterpillar to delicate winged flyer. Learn how butterflies impact our lives and the role we play in their survival. http://southdenver.cu.edu/events/event/becoming-butterflies/

    Denver Puzzling Adventure at Civic Center Park
    Puzzling Adventures™ are a cross between a scavenger hunt, an informative self-guided tour, and The Amazing Race®. Each adventure consists of a series of locations that you are guided to where you are required to answer questions or solve puzzles to receive your next instruction. http://puzzlingadventures.com

    Eyes On at Denver Art Museum
    December 3, 2017 – July 8, 2018, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
    Xiaoze Xie has a lifelong passion for books. In his worldview, books are conveyers of prestige and signifiers of collective cultural knowledge: repositories of historical meaning, cultural conflict, and political strife. For Eyes On: Xiaoze Xie, the artist has created still-life paintings of books, videos, and installations based on banned and forbidden books in China. http://denverartmuseum.org/exhibitions/eyes-on-xiaoze-xie

    Past the Tangled Present at the Denver Art Museum
    November 14, 2017 – October 28, 2018, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
    This interactive and immersive installation by Denver artist Jaime Molina was born of imagination and the joy of discovery. Step into a different world where the paintings on the wall flow into 3-D objects that Molina created for the space. Sit on boxes painted with faces and play in a garden of fabricated cacti. http://denverartmuseum.org/exhibitions/past-tangled-present

    Creatures of Light at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science 
    February 23- June 10, 2018
    They light up our lives, but have you ever wondered how? Delve into the world of living things that blink, glow, flash, and flicker, from tiny fireflies to strange creatures in the ocean depths. The new exhibition Creatures of Light explores the mysterious world of bioluminescence and biofluorescence, visible light emitted by living things. This enlightening experience features larger-than-life models, engaging immersive environments, fun activities, and real animals, fungi, and minerals that get their glow on. http://www.dmns.org

    Colors of East Africa
    Jan. 20-May 19, 2018
    Colors of East Africa, an exceptional showcase of eight countries along the Great Rift Valley, continues through May 19 at the Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures. The exhibit features art and artifacts on loan from over 40 collectors and international travelers in Northern Colorado. Many items reflect the intersection between the wildlife and the indigenous cultures, such as a loin cloth fashioned from fish vertebrae and a Maasai shield & weaponry. http://globalvillagemuseum.org/upcoming-main-gallery/

    Momsplaining Episode 5: #ProductReviews with Ryan Hansen

    Take Ellen Degeneres, add Kristen Bell and you have a whole lot of laughter!

    “Momsplaining” is a hilarious six-episode original digital series created by Ellen Degeneres in partnership with OLLY Nutrition.

    Kristen and Ryan Hansen– her longtime BFF and “Veronica Mars co-star – road test the wackiest and most wonderful baby products on the market!

    Recipe: Cream Soda Pancakes

    Cream soda invokes images of old-fashioned fizzy fun. It’s a throwback to a simpler time in soda history, before bubbly drinks went XTREME and were loaded with caffeine. Because cream soda is so simple, featuring vanilla as its star flavor, it can be used many ways. Have some for breakfast!

    Top them with warm pie filling and homemade vanilla whipped cream for an extra special breakfast. They’d be dandy with nearly any topping. Some of my kids ate the leftover pancakes un-topped and cold, straight out of the ziploc bag in the refrigerator. They don’t do that with regular pancakes, so there must be something special about the cream soda version.

    To Make:

    3 cups of sifted flour

    3/4 cup sugar

    2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

    1 1/2 teaspoons salt

    3 eggs, beaten

    2 12 oz. cans cream soda (or 3 cups)

    1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons melted butter

    Stir together the dry ingredients in a large bowl until well-mixed. Add eggs, soda, and melted butter, stirring until blended. Like all pancake batters, remember a few lumps are to be expected. You’re not making a cake for Kate Middleton’s baby shower, so don’t stress out over pancake batter lumps.

    Proceed with your preferred method of cooking pancakes. Stove top, on the griddle, the usual rules apply. Our personal pancake philosophy: Flip when the bubbles pop and the batter no longer seeps into popped bubble holes. It’s better to underheat than overheat a griddle.

    This recipe will make a lot of pancakes, which is necessary for our large family. We had leftovers, too. Adjust accordingly or make them all and freeze leftovers in sandwich baggies for easy breakfasts. Pop them in the toaster.