GLENWOOD SPRINGS – Child abuse is a topic that not many people wish to engage in conversation in, let alone, think about. But for the 250+ children annually from Garfield, Pitkin, Eagle, and Rio Blanco counties, it is fortunate that there is a dedicated team at River Bridge Regional Center, consisting of victim advocates, forensic interviewers, mental health therapists and medical providers, working hard to ease the anxieties of the child victims, help them, and their non offending family members, receive the services they need to heal.

“Many children live in abusive situations, not knowing life is any different. It’s not until they get older that they understand what happened to them was wrong” says Kat Stenquist, Program Director and forensic interviewer for River Bridge. Kat says that often cases come to River Bridge where children disclose abuse months to years after the abuse has happened.

“There are many reasons why a child may not disclose immediately. Education on the signs of abuse and abuse prevention is the best way to support children who may be the victims of abuse.” Each year, River Bridge presents to over 700 community members including: parents, educators, law enforcement, caseworkers, prosecutors, medical providers, and other mandatory reports. A mandatory reporter is required by law to report suspected situations where a child is being neglected or abused.

Through educating the community about an issue that affects our children, “we can provide support and services to negate the negative effects that child abuse can have in life – and hopefully we can put an end to child abuse altogether”. Kat also says that talking with the children that we love and care for about topics regarding body safety, touches that are okay, decency and consent and social media safety can also help prevent child abuse or cause children to tell sooner. These conversations can also help prevent problematic sexualized behaviors which have become more frequent in recent years.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and River Bridge encourages our community to show support for the children that are affected by abuse and/or neglect, support the everyday workers who engage with the children and families that need supportive services, and to educate yourself and the children you care for, about abuse prevention. Efforts to engage with the community start with planting pinwheels at the Garfield County Courthouse, downtown Glenwood Springs. The blue pinwheel is the symbol of Child Abuse Prevention Month. River Bridge will plant 271 pinwheels, one for each child they served in 2022. All are welcome to come to Veterans Memorial at the Courthouse at noon on April 1st to help plant pinwheels and receive free resources.

River Bridge is also partnering with three local arts nonprofits to provide a free arts and crafts workshop for children and families to “Create a Brighter Future”. River Bridge staff and volunteers will be on site at Bookcliff Arts Center in Rifle on April 22nd, The Art Base in Basalt on April 23rd, and The Carbondale Launchpad on April 30th. Free education and resources to help talk with your children about abuse prevention and unsafe situations will be provided along with light snacks to spur your creativity!

More information is available on their website.

While the child advocacy center is the primary mission of River Bridge, they also operate the adult sexual assault program, MountainWest SANE Alliance (MWSA), as a secondary mission. SANE stands for “Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.” This service began in 2018 after having been discontinued in 2012 by an area hospital. Victims of sexual assault are able to receive a comprehensive medical exam, treatment, and evidence collection. Whether or not an adult victim follows through to make a police report, it’s essential they meet with a medical provider to receive a thorough physical exam and testing in order to prevent health issues in their future. Joni Owens, Medical Program Coordinator states, “The recovery a person goes through following a sexual assault is a very individualized process. We know that receiving care via a SANE exam and getting connected to community resources is a critical piece of that recovery and from moving from being a victim to being a survivor.” You may access more information aboutMWSA and how one can request a SANE exam on the River Bridge website.

Funding for River Bridge comes from grants and state and local victim services funds, donations, and an annual fundraising event. The event, called Imagine!, is on Saturday,
April 15th and will be held at The Arts Campus at Willits (TACAW) in Basalt, from 6-9pm. The evening will feature food, beverages, a silent and live auction, and live music from A Band Called Alexis. Thanks to ACE Hardware of Carbondale, Alpine Bank, Bighorn Toyota, Gould Construction and Roaring Fork Furniture for being leading sponsors of the 8th annual event.

Executive Director Blythe Chapman said she hopes that in addition to raising funds for child abuse treatment and prevention, Imagine! will continue to help raise community awareness. “Child abuse is an unfortunate reality in our valley and we know it’s a difficult issue for people to acknowledge or even talk about,” she said. “But the good news is that River Bridge is here to help children and families, from the very beginning states of disclosure through treatment and into recovery.” Imagine…a community free of child abuse and sexual assault. Imagine…all children growing up to be happy, healthy and safe. Imagine…providing hope and support for the children, families, and adults that will come to River Bridge and/orMWSA this year. For more information about River Bridge or to make a donation to support their work with victims, please visit, http://www.riverbrigerc.org/

IF YOU GO…
What: Imagine! The 8th annual fundraiser benefiting River Bridge Regional Center
When: 6-9pm. Saturday, April 15
Where: The Arts Campus at Willits (TACAW), 400 Robinson Street, Basalt
Cost: $100 per person, 21+ years old only
More information: Visit https://imagine-8.eventbrite.com, or call 970-945-5195.

With a keen eye toward sustainability and community, Jet Aviation continues to meticulously navigate the world, from its Swiss Headquarters.  Established in 1967 in Basel, Switzerland, the global business aviation infrastructure company operates in some 50 locations worldwide, including 13 strategic U.S. locations.  

Offering four key lines of business aviation services, Jet Aviation is dedicated to providing everything their customers need, from maintenance to management, completion to FBO and beyond. They are well-known in the corporate world for their commitment to personalized service, for which they credit their exceptional employees; over 4,000 “artisans of aviation” working worldwide to create the most effortless experience for their customers.

About Jet Aviation

Although it began as a family-owned business with one location, Jet Aviation is a global company and was purchased by General Dynamics in 2008.  Jet Aviation and its sister company, Gulfstream, form the Aerospace business group within General Dynamics.

Jet Aviation is particularly intentional about where they are located and are focused on being where their customers want them to be. With multiple customers in the Aspen area along with sharing the same mission of sustainable business practices, the city undoubtedly presents a special opportunity for the global infrastructure company. “The way that we generally interact in any place is to try to always think first in the eyes of our customers; learning their needs and how can we support them,” explained David Paddock, President of Jet Aviation.  “We met with individuals in Aspen who said that they are not looking to grow but to enhance what is there in a sustainable way with longevity.  Yes, we provide efficient services at the airport, but where we differentiate is what we offer in terms of sustainability and community partnership.”

Commitment to Sustainability

Since late 2018, Jet Aviation has been mainly focused on how to be a good steward of the environment, and quickly became one of the industry leaders in supplying Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and other sustainable aviation solutions globally.  “It’s not because we make money at it, but we are trying to do our part in the broader environmental landscape and make sustainable solutions available for our customers, so they are more likely to use them,” Paddock said.  

Going well beyond the typical offering of carbon offsets for flight, in which trees are planted to counter the environmental damage from a flight, Jet Aviation has become a prevailing voice advocating the use of SAF. This particular fuel is produced from residue raw materials such as old cooking oil, or anything classified as 100% renewable waste and its usage reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%.  Along with providing this fuel in three of their global locations, the company is partnering with major oil companies to increase availability worldwide, as well as fostering a range of partnerships with universities, think tanks and food corporations to grow the supply of used cooking oils and the local application of fuel blends. Jet Aviation was also one of the first signatories of the World Economic Forum’s 2030 Ambition Statement, ‘Clean Skies for Tomorrow’ – a partnership designed to gain state, industry and public support to help accelerate the production and adoption of SAF and see SAF constitute 10% of the global fuel supply by 2030.

Where physical SAF is unavailable, Jet Aviation customers still have the option to buy SAF and get the credit for it through Book and Claim. This process allows the customer to choose SAF, and get the credit for it but have the fuel pumped and used where it is physically produced.  “We don’t want to move it around the world because that defeats the purpose of reducing emissions.  If there is no SAF available where our customer is fueling, it will be used closer to where it is produced.  This means that every customer in any location at any time can do their bit,” explained Elouisa Dalli, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications. Jet Aviation also utilizes electric ground support vehicles and renewable energy to power their FBOs

Jet Aviation’s all-of-the-above approach to sustainability makes a real impact in business aviation. “No one has the solution alone, it’s a collective effort and everyone needs to play their part,” Dalli said. “It’s not about being green for the sake of it, it’s about doing the right thing.”

To learn more, visit jetaviation.com

Living in one of the most expensive communities in the United States is hard enough for adults, but for kids whose families experience economic, housing or other challenges, the Roaring Fork Valley can be an especially difficult experience.

That’s why the Roaring Fork Valley-based Buddy Program has provided a valuable service to local youth, pairing them with local adult volunteers to take part in activities and events they might normally not be able to access, as well as helping them establish a friendship with a trusted adult.

Horseback riding, gondola rides, theater shows or even enjoying a cheeseburger together can be a very big deal. More importantly, the time spent with a caring and committed adult mentor and friend, either during a lunch break on a school day or out in the community, helps build social skills and strengths that can last a lifetime – not to mention extended friendships between Big and Little Buddies.

Laura Seay, Senior Recruitment Manager and Development Coordinator, says the Buddy Program, founded in 1973, was established to meet the need of our local mountain communities to provide mentors who would serve as a friend and guide to youth here. 

At present, the organization has about 100 pairs of adult and child Buddies from Aspen to Carbondale, though the Buddy Program is also able to provide some services to children who have moved further down the valley with their families.  There is currently a “match list” of more than two dozen youth who are waiting for a Big Buddy.

“We’re looking for people who are reliable, committed, consistent, open-minded, and are really excited to have a connection with a younger person.” Seay says.

And while last year was the biggest on record for new volunteers, the Buddy Program’s greatest current need, explains Ainhoa Bujan, the Mentoring Program Director, is to recruit a wider array of bilingual adult Big Buddies to better represent the changing demographics in Aspen and the entire Roaring Fork Valley.

“We’re trying to bring more equity in our volunteers and mentors, so we are recruiting to bring in people from more diverse backgrounds,” Bujan says. While the Buddy Program offers extensive services to Hispanic and Latinx youth and their families, that hasn’t been as well-represented in the adult Big Buddies themselves.

“We’ve been making connections with other nonprofits in the Latinx community, as we’ve realized our current system is based on a way of recruiting volunteers that doesn’t necessarily work with other cultural communities,” Bujan adds. “In recent years, a lot more young professionals in the Latinx community have come back to work and live in the valley, and we see huge opportunities through them.”

Seay explains that the Buddy Program offers two main opportunities for adult volunteers: Community-based relationships that take place outside of school hours, and school-based programs, which take place at local schools during lunch hours, once a week.

“We are always looking at the safety and wellbeing of our kids, so consistency and commitment are critical,” Bujan says. “That means not giving up, and having cultural humility, to work with a diverse group of kids. And our kids are amazing. We want them to learn and grow up healthy, and to have a healthy role model outside of their own families.”

Both Bujan and Seay have experienced the benefits themselves as they are also longtime volunteers with the program, having developed life-long relationships with their Little Buddies as they’ve grown into young adults. “I appreciate that we were able to try so many new activities together,” Seay says. “We attended a pottery class together, which I had never done, and had the best time doing. We were also able to go horseback riding, which is something I loved during my childhood, and we were able to share that activity. I watched her grow up and mature over an 8-year period. I feel every youth deserves a dedicated mentor and the Buddy Program wants our valley youth to have that experience.”

Golfing allows you to enjoy the best of Colorado’s natural beauty, all while playing a challenging game with friends and family. 

The Rocky Mountain Golf Card helps you make the most of mountain summers. It gives you two-for-one access to the best mountain golf courses in Colorado.

The 2022 Rocky Mountain Golf Card returns this season with 10 iconic golf courses in the Colorado High Country. 

For just $79, you and your partner play for the price of one at all 10 golf courses. 

This Rocky Mountain golf card lets you experience the variety of challenges, scenery and restaurants that the best mountain golf courses in Colorado offer. 

With the Rocky Mountain golf card, golfing in the Colorado mountains has never been easier — or less expensive. Each card can save you up to $860. 

Simply reserve a tee time at any of the participating courses, pay one greens fee and bring a companion, who plays free. Each 2022 Rocky Mountain Golf Card entitles you to one BOGO-free round of golf at every one of the 10 participating Colorado mountain golf courses. If you plan on golfing a few resorts more than once, simply purchase a Rocky Mountain golf card for the best deal. 

“My husband and I purchased two cards from you. We used them all the time and want to thank you for offering this to us. It gave us the opportunity to try many different courses in our beautiful Colorado,” Kathy, a Denver resident, said.

Elevate your summer — and golf game — with free rounds at the following Colorado mountain golf courses:

Cedar Ridges Golf Course

Escape the hustle and bustle of it all at Cedar Ridges Golf Course. Located on the outskirts of Rangely, this course sits atop sweeping mesas. The 9-hole, par-36 course leads golfers through large rolling hills and greens, water and sand traps and evergreens. 

Frank Hummel, who has created over 200 courses throughout the United States, designed the course. It offers a minimum of three tee boxes on each hole, making the course challenging enough for any experienced golfer, yet thoroughly enjoyable for novices, as well. 

Don’t miss this hidden gem on the Western Slope. The course is always in immaculate condition and provides a nice pro shop and restaurant. 

“I was extremely impressed with this beautiful course in such a small, remote rural town,” Margaret, a golfer, said. “It’s worth the drive.”

Eagle Ranch Golf Club

Eagle Ranch Golf Club combines top-notch service, exquisite conditioning and an Arnold Palmer Signature Design within the spectacular setting of the Rocky Mountains. 

“What makes it unique to other mountain courses is that you’re still in the mountains with scenic views, but the course is on a flatter piece of land,” said general manager Jeff Boyer. “The most common compliments we get are about the design of the golf course. It plays more fair. It’s not an easy golf course by any means. It’s very challenging, but what you see is what you get. There are no funky bounces or hard to judge (holes).”

The club also welcomes families and kids; the fact that so many people ride their bikes to golf is a testament to its neighborhood warmth.

“It has the characteristics of a higher-end, private course, but it doesn’t have that pretentious atmosphere. It’s friendly, relaxed and welcoming to all,” Boyer said.

Glenwood Springs Golf Club

Voted best 9-hole public course in Colorado by the Denver Post, Glenwood Springs Golf Club is set against a breathtaking backdrop of surrounding mountains and valleys. 

The par-35 course features tree-lined fairways and meticulously manicured greens. Bends and turns on green #5 make it the most challenging to navigate, while #8 makes a hole-in-one the most exciting because you can see the ball soar the entire way.

“The other greens on our par threes are elevated and intriguing,” said general manager Jerry Butler. “Having won the award of Colorado’s number one 9-hole golf course (in 2018), you will be pleasantly surprised by its challenging greens. What you will like most about this club is the people. They are small-town friendly, and everyone will make you feel like you are at home.”

Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club

With a sporty Robert Trent Jones II layout, plenty of wildlife, gorgeous mountain scenery and superb greens, it’s no wonder Golf Digest named Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort one of the best places in Colorado.  

“The course has a great mix of holes where precision is key, but at the same time you can pull driver and let it rip,” said Andrew Donner, director of golf. “Elevation changes are abundant but not extreme. The aspens frame up the golf course perfectly, and with Fish Creek meandering in and out, eye-popping golf shots are plenty.”

In addition, the sound of the roaring creek, the crackling of wood as a deer wanders by, the whistle of a marmot in the distance or a moose swimming across the pond are just standard “distractions” while golfing at the club, he said. “It doesn’t hurt that it is 80 degrees and sunny almost every day.”

Yampa Valley Golf Course

Lined by the lazy Yampa River, Yampa Valley Golf Course weaves through more than 240 acres of cottonwood trees, wetlands, native grasses and sages. 

Located in the heart of northwest Colorado, rolling hills create a gorgeous backdrop at this 18-hole course. 

As the oldest and most affordable facility in the Yampa Valley, the team’s mission is to provide a quality golfing experience wrapped in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The experienced, well-trained staff treats everyone like family and delivers outstanding service on its meticulously maintained course.

“(It has a) wonderful staff, beautiful course and some of the best views in the valley,” golfer Andrea Lyn Green posted on Facebook.

Golfer Tom Atkinson, who plays the course annually, aptly describes it as “a fun and unique golf experience.”

Haymaker Golf Course

What makes Haymaker Golf Course unique is the fact that it’s a traditional, links-style course, located in the middle of the Rocky Mountains. Mount Werner’s snow-capped peak frames many of the holes, while the picturesque Flat Top Mountain Range surrounds the course. Native grasses and wetlands enhance wide-open fairways, and the golf course has earned Audubon International’s Highest Distinction for maintaining the utmost environmental standards. This extraordinary preservation makes the area a great place to spot elk, eagles, blue herons and other wildlife.

Designed by Keith Foster, seven sets of tee boxes allow for play ranging from 7,300 yards to about 5,000.

“It’s a really great layout for every type of golfer,” said head golf professional Cody Hasten.

Meeker Golf Course

Tucked away in the quaint community of Meeker, the 9-hole Meeker Golf Course 

is a small and compact course full of character. Designed by Henry Hughes, it’s surrounded by mountains and livestock pastures. Wildlife is abundant, and it’s not uncommon to see a deer lying on a green.

“The atmosphere is just very casual,” said manager Becky Ridings. “It has the feel of a small-town course. It’s less uptight — no one is rushing you, so people just relax and feel more comfortable.”

“(It’s) a hidden gem, very picturesque,” wrote golfer Mark Tomlinson on Facebook. “The price is good, and (it has) very friendly staff and owners.”

Hole #5 can be the most challenging for golfers new to the course, since doglegs and trees obscure the hole from the men’s tee box. Ridings’ tip: As you go up over #3, look at #5 to get a sense of its layout.

Ranch at Roaring Fork Golf Course

Set against a picturesque scene of Roaring Fork Valley’s mountains, the Ranch at Roaring Fork Golf Course offers a well-kept 9-hole, par-3 course. Its authentic Colorado neighborhood vibe makes it perfect for all skill levels and ages, from beginners to scratch golfers.

As the first golf course in Carbondale, the Ranch at Roaring Fork prides itself on being family friendly and community oriented. Its challenging fairways, chipping and putting greens make it a great place to perfect your short game or just spend leisurely time with family and friends. 

Golfer Kevin Blanchard calls it a “fun quick nine before work, (with a) friendly accommodating staff.”

The course’s easy access from Highway 82 makes it simple to slide into almost any schedule. 

Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks

Considered one of the top courses in the nation by Golf Magazine, golfing at Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks is truly memorable. It features lush, rolling fairways and immaculate greens surrounded by pines, aspens and snow-capped, 13,000-foot mountain peaks. Crystal-clear creeks and lakes punctuate the award-winning course. 

“The Raven Golf Club sits at 9,000 feet in elevation and boasts a 225-foot drop from tee to green at the par 9^th hole,” said general manager Ryan Parr. 

While the course is open to the public, it also has the fastest growing golf membership in Summit County, increasing by 115% in the last three years. 

With a full bunker renovation of all 88 bunkers, high-end, white sand in traps contrasts the blue sky and emerald greens.

Rifle Creek Golf Course

Nestled along the Grand Hogback Ridge, Rifle Creek Golf Course provides a unique golfing experience with two distinct 9-hole tracks. Its friendly and expert staff aim to make your golf day a memorable experience — and the views themselves are unforgettable!

This year, golfers voted Rifle Creek #8 in Golfers’ Choice courses in Colorado, as well as one of the top 25 courses in the nation.

“This is one of the best values in the area and the course and all the surrounding views are fantastic — especially the back nine,” commented Golfers’ Choice golfer Captainbadger. 

The open front nine holes weave across the sparkling Rifle Creek, offering a fairly easy walk. The back nine winds through rolling hills with elevated tee boxes. It’s challenging, and provides spectacular mountain views. In addition, its large pro shop has one of the largest selections of clubs, clothing and accessories on the Western Slope.

The 2022 Rocky Mountain Golf Card provides free access for golf partners at some of the best mountain golf courses in Colorado.  

This summer, escape the ordinary and breathe in the fresh mountain air as you golf in Colorado’s stunning Rocky Mountains. Every one of the 10 iconic courses on the 2022 Rocky Mountain Golf Card offers a different and invigorating experience to shake up your outdoor recreation routine and add more adventure to your season.

Brought to you by 5Point Film Festival 

Once again, 5Point Film Festival is fostering a sense of community through a shared love of the outdoors.
While the festival went virtual during the pandemic, it’s back and stronger than ever this year, featuring a lineup of 56 short and feature-length films. 

“It’s so important to reconnect the audience and the community through the in-person festival. It’s our biggest priority,” said Luis Yllanes, executive director of 5Point Film Festival. “The magic that makes this organization so special is the ability to connect and gather in person.” 

INSPIRATION THROUGH CONNECTION 

The four-day film festival focuses on inspiring audiences through outdoor films, panel discussions, art, music, food, and activities, like a fly-casting competition, bike ride and run and hike event. Over 50 special guests, featuring filmmakers and their subjects to writers and athletes, will attend the festival. 

The festival offers just about something for everyone, from young and older filmmakers to families, nature lovers and af- ter-party revelers. 

It all kicks off Thursday April 21 with the Van Life Rally featuring tricked- out adventure vehicles, live music and food trucks, late night tacos and more. 

Free panels and workshops encompass a variety of topics, from increasing diver- sity in outdoor films to balancing cre- ative work, adventure and family. Jeremy Jensen will talk about finding flow — an optimal state of consciousness in which we feel the most alive — and end with an invigorating bike ride up Prince Creek. The Stio Adventure Filmmakers Pitch Event takes place Saturday afternoon. The inaugural event features seven finalists (out of over 40 entries) pitching their concept to a jury to win $15,000 and premiere their film at 5Point’s 2023 festival. 

A free ice cream social with Sundae’s small-batch artisan ice cream takes place Saturday from 12:30-2:30 p.m., after the Family Film Program. 

FILM HIGHLIGHTS 

5Point Film Festival’s screenings strive to ignite personal and communal adventure through meaningful storytelling. It was founded on the philosophy that communities improve when residents “pursue adventure and intentionally live their own best story.” Every film revolves around the importance of human connection, while 

imparting profound stories through stunning cinematography.
Feature films tell stories of overcoming one of the most traumatic accidents in the history of rock climbing (“An Accidental Life”), living with a brain tumor and kayaking unprecedented whitewater (“The River Runner”) and themes of death and recovery (“Torn”). 

World premieres feature storm chasing, extreme mountain biking, rock climbing and fly-fishing.
“Their inspiration, creativity, pure joy, incredible athleticism and the sheer entertainment of (all) these programs will recharge you,” Yllanes said. “We’re known to push the limits of what people consider outdoor adventure films.” 

CONTINUAL OUTREACH 

5Point Film Festival is named for its value-based mission, which centers around the five points: Respect for humans, the environment and experience; Commitment to overcome fear and lead a vital existence; Humility to listen to intuition, not ego; Purpose in pursuing one’s highest aspirations even in the face of adversity; and Balance of maintaining focus and energy in life and nature while surrendering to the uncontrollable. 

In addition to the annual film festival, 5Point sponsors Dream Project scholarships, which encourage young people to chase their dreams to better the world through a $1,500 scholarship; the 5Point Film Fund, which supports filmmakers and artists; and the free 5Point Student Film Reel, which provides inspirational films for all students and an accompanying resource packet for educators in the Roaring Fork Valley. 

5Point is also expanding its programming year- round to continue to inspire audiences locally and along the Front Range. Through regular programming, 5Point hopes to “have people realize that these are such important points to live by,” Yllanes said. “You’re really taking a step to live a purposeful life. The last two years have challenged us both mentally and physically . 

“With the return of our in-person festival, we continue to champion the creative and authentic stories that 5Point has become known for. Great storytelling is our anchoring source of inspiration and hope in a constantly shifting world.”

Brought to you by 5Point Film Festival

Once again, 5Point Film Festival is fostering a sense of community through a shared love of the outdoors. 

While the festival went virtual during the pandemic, it’s back and stronger than ever this year, featuring a lineup of 56 short and feature-length films. 

“It’s so important to reconnect the audience and the community through the in-person festival. It’s our biggest priority,” said Luis Yllanes, executive director of 5Point Film Festival. “The magic that makes this organization so special is the ability to connect and gather in person.”

Inspiration through connection

The four-day film festival focuses on in- spiring audiences through outdoor films, panel discussions, art, music, food, and activities, like a fly-casting competition, bike ride and run and hike event. Over 50 special guests, featuring filmmakers and their subjects to writers and athletes, will attend the festival. 

The festival offers just about something for everyone, from young and older filmmakers to families, nature lovers and after-party revelers. 

It all kicks off Thursday April 21 with the Van Life Rally featuring tricked- out adventure vehicles, live music and food trucks, late night tacos and more. 

Free panels and workshops encompass a variety of topics, from increasing diversity in outdoor films to balancing creative work, adventure and family. Jeremy Jensen will talk about finding flow — an optimal state of consciousness in which we feel the most alive — and end with an invigorating bike ride up Prince Creek. The Stio Adventure Filmmakers Pitch Event takes place Saturday afternoon. The inaugural event features seven finalists (out of over 40 entries) pitching their concept to a jury to win $15,000 and premiere their film at 5Point’s 2023 festival. 

A free ice cream social with Sundae’s small-batch artisan ice cream takes place Saturday from 12:30-2:30 p.m., after the Family Film Program. 

Film highlights

5Point Film Festival’s screenings strive to ignite personal and communal adventure through meaningful storytelling. It was founded on the philosophy that communities improve when residents “pursue adventure and intentionally live their own best story.” Every film revolves around the importance of human connection, while imparting profound stories through stunning cinematography.
Feature films tell stories of overcoming one of the most traumatic accidents in the history of rock climbing (“An Accidental Life”), living with a brain tumor and kayaking unprecedented whitewater (“The River Runner”) and themes of death and recovery (“Torn”). 

World premieres feature storm chasing, extreme mountain biking, rock climbing and fly-fishing.“Their inspiration, creativity, pure joy, incredible athleticism and the sheer entertainment of (all) these programs will recharge you,” Yllanes said. “We’re known to push the limits of what people consider outdoor adventure films.”

Continual outreach

5Point Film Festival is named for its value-based mission, which centers around the five points: Respect for humans, the environment and experience; Commitment to overcome fear and lead a vital existence; Humility to listen to intuition, not ego; Purpose in pursuing one’s highest aspirations even in the face of adversity; and Balance of maintaining focus and energy in life and nature while surrendering to the uncontrollable. 

In addition to the annual film festival, 5Point sponsors Dream Project scholarships, which encourage young people to chase their dreams to better the world through a $1,500 scholarship; the 5Point Film Fund, which supports filmmakers and artists; and the free 5Point Student Film Reel, which provides inspirational films for all students and an accompany- ing resource packet for educators in the Roaring Fork Valley. 

5Point is also expanding its programming year- round to continue to inspire audiences locally and along the Front Range. Through regular programming, 5Point hopes to “have people realize that these are such important points to live by,” Yllanes said. “You’re really taking a step to live a purposeful life. The last two years have challenged us both mentally and physically . 

“With the return of our in-person festival, we continue to champion the creative and authentic stories that 5Point has become known for. Great storytelling is our anchoring source of inspiration and hope in a constantly shifting world.” 

Dr. Ernest Braxton, MD, MBA, continues to serve as the only board-certified neurosurgeon in the Vail Valley. “Working with the VSON surgery practices in Vail, Edwards, Frisco, Middle Park and Crested Butte, Dr. Braxton serves the surgical needs of countless patients from across the Colorado High Country.”

Part of his trusted expertise comes in his relentless pursuit of new equipment and innovative procedures, the main objective being a better surgical experience and a shorter, less painful recovery process – with some patients able to resume activities after just a day in the hospital.

“I try to find procedures that are the least invasive as possible,” Braxton said. To that end, he’s been a pioneer in using robotic and computer-assisted surgical techniques as well as regional anesthesia, with a high-tech approach that is centered on faster recovery, and durable relief.

Innovative, adaptive-geometry technology for spinal fusion

Most recently, that includes his use of new spinal fusion devices with “adaptive geometry” – a brand-new, expandable fusion tool that is designed to be more easily integrated to a recovering spinal injury.

“The spine’s surface is not one size fits all.  This device conforms better to accept a patient’s anatomy, making it less likely to fail, and leads to less pain,” he said. 

The new adaptive geometry devices are also tiny – approximately 9 millimeters in size, expandable to 14 millimeters – meaning they can be surgically implanted and manipulated through very small incisions. 

Braxton said the new devices, which are made of a titanium-bonded shell integrated with carbon fiber-styled PEEK (Polyether-ether-ketone), will be able to replace more traditional fusion devices which frequently cause metal-on-bone wear and fractures.

“They also allow a surgical technique that’s something like gardening through a picket fence or building a ship in a bottle,” he explained. “Rather than having extensive tissue disruption through an open surgery, which can be a painful process, we’re able to leave a lot of tissue in place, as the device is so small.”

Braxton employs a cannula, a tube just 18 millimeters wide, to insert the devices, and uses a high powered microscope to guide and place the adaptive geometry hardware.

Robotic and computer-assisted surgery to ensure perfect results
For these and other procedures, Braxton is now more frequently using robotic and computer-assisted surgical techniques to produce much more precise results – again, the end objective being faster healing and less postoperative pain.

“We use these systems to target and come up with the best solution to help stabilize the spine. The computer system also makes the results reproducible, every time, versus freehand surgery. The best surgeon is like a pro free-throw athlete, with 95% accuracy – this system can push that to 99%, which even the best surgeon can’t beat.”

During his 12 years of surgical practice, Braxton has spent much of his time continually working to explore new techniques and devices. 

“I constantly read about new ideas in medical trade journals, and I recently lectured at a surgical society meeting in Aspen. To learn about the adaptive geometry devices, I flew to the manufacturer in Florida and learned more about it, even practicing the procedures. I also spent time in Phoenix taking robotic training.”

Braxton said he anticipates even more high-tech solutions, all of which are geared at improving outcomes.

“We’re going to see a big wave of technology in the spine space over the next five years. The only real limit will be cost, and we are always aware of being fiscally responsible. For many patients, most procedures have been covered by insurance, as well.”  

For well over a century, Glenwood Springs has been viewed as an area with great healing potential; in 1903, Dr. W. F. Berry passed through the town and noticed the health resort possibilities it offered with a relatively mild climate and therapeutic mineral waters. He had already built a sanitarium in Michigan, and by 1906, he had moved to Glenwood Springs and constructed a huge hospital on 10^th Street. There, doctors did everything from deliver babies to treat disease until 1937, when a businessman bought the building and converted it into an apartment complex. Today, that same building stands as the Elms Apartments, housing local residents.

Local management and real estate firm Integrated Mountain Group has managed the property since the company’s founding in 2017. They know that maintaining buildings — and restoring historic properties to their prior splendor — adds to the health and wellbeing of a community, both aesthetically and financially. So, last summer, in partnership with the building’s owner, they began the extensive process of renovating the four-level, historic Elms Apartments.

“Glenwood Springs is a small community, and this is a large historic building that’s very visible. It’s part of the fabric of our historic town, and it helps define the town,” said Integrated Mountain co-founder Scott Key. Glenwood Springs has a lot of culture and history, and certainly, a lot of people don’t want to lose that.”

The Integrated Mountain Management and Maintenance team began transforming the 22-unit apartment complex on the corner of 10^th and Bennett by giving it an exterior facelift. Renovation started with new energy efficient windows and doors.

Work expanded to the 14,000 square feet of exterior siding and then moved to the interior with new carpeting throughout, among other upgrades. A palette of warm tones was chosen for the final paint, brightening the formerly weathered-white building.

Of course, any remodeling project — much less a historic one — has its challenges.

“It was a team effort between our property managers and the full Integrated Mountain Maintenance team” said Suzanne Henry, Integrated Mountain Management leader and co-founder. “It’s an incredible structure, and the process often required more than a dozen staff and local contractors on site for many months. The result has given this historic building a fresh face and new lease on life, befitting this downtown residential location.”

The Elms renovation led not only to improved values for the building, but a positive impact on the neighboring properties and downtown area.

The Elms Apartments is the second major downtown renovation initiated by the Integrated Mountain Group on a downtown Glenwood historic landmark. The first involved the redesign and rebuild of the former Tamarack building on 10^th and Grand, completed with DM Neuman in 2017. The re-christened Integrated Mountain Building now serves as the Glenwood Springs home for Integrated Mountain Properties, Management and Maintenance.

“The Elms renovation is a good example of our partnership and commitment to our customers and community. Since our founding, we have been a strong supporter of dozens of local organizations and non-profits, from education to youth empowerment, sports, and the arts,” said Bob Johnson, senior vice president and co-founder of Integrated Mountain Management. “It’s a wonderful heritage we are building, and the Elms is a very visual example.”

Annabel Bowlen didn’t know much about Alzheimer’s Disease until 2012, when she had an encounter with her father Pat Bowlen, former owner and CEO of the Denver Broncos. “I was a student at CU Boulder and went home to study for finals. I thought my dad would be excited to see me. Instead, he was confused and upset I was there. This was very uncharacteristic for him, and I didn’t understand what was going on until my mother pulled me aside and told me.”

After graduation, Annabel dedicated herself to the care of her father, who died of Alzheimer’s related illness in 2019. Today she is now caring for her mother, also named Annabel, who, in a cruel, but increasingly more common twist of fate, was diagnosed with the same disease just a year before the death of her husband.

On Tuesday, Sept. 14, from 5-7 p.m. Annabel Bowlen, known as “Little Bell,” to her family and friends, will discuss what life is like as a caregiver to loved ones navigating this disease, and how caregivers can prevent burnout, in an upcoming Health Series talk at the Renew Roaring Fork Assisted Living and Memory Care center in Glenwood Springs.

The two-hour event, according to Lee Tuchfarber, CEO of Renew Senior Communities, is intended to give guests (both in-person and via webcast) new information in the research of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia-related illnesses.

“So many people are feeling helpless because there are no meaningful pharmaceuticals that exist to treat Alzheimer’s,” notes Tuchfarber. “This discussion will highlight some of the new areas of research that are non-traditional and very promising. It will leave people with hope.”

Joining Bowen in the talk are two representatives from the Knoebel Institute for Heathy Aging at the University of Denver, executive director Dr. Lotta Granholm-Bentley and Dr. Eric Chess, founder and director of the Paul Freeman Financial Security Program at DU.

Dr. Granholm-Bentley has been working with Alzheimer’s disease for 30 years, focusing on new methods of early detection.

“What we look at is not just developing new medication, but how lifestyle changes can be effective in preventing or slowing down the progression of Alzheimer’s,” she says. These include moderate exercise, stress reduction and a “Blue Zones” diet focused on Mediterranean nutrition. “These lifestyle changes are able to cut down the risk of Alzheimer’s by at least 50 percent,” she says. “Eating salmon three times a week increases lifespan by five years.”

One of the key advantages of the work being done at the Knoebel Institute is the cross-disciplinary studies that University of Denver provides. From social work, to business, to psychology, the study of Alzheimer’s disease and its eventual cure, Dr. Granholm-Bentley believes, will depend on several disciplines working together, in addition to healthcare, to find a way forward. Speaking to this component of Alzheimer’s research at the Glenwood event is Dr. Eric Chess, who’s research focuses on a specific, and surprising, early indicator of cognitive decline – financial decision making.

“The earliest cognitive indicator — impaired financial decision making – is often shown decades before any other symptoms,” says Dr. Chess. “Often it’s not the doctors, but certified financial planners, banks and credit card companies that see these decisions that don’t make sense. It’s here we see the earliest signs because financial decision making encompasses a wide array of cognitive tasks — risk assessment, personal implications, decision making, It’s a lot more than the math. You are using a lot of different parts of your brain, simultaneously.”

The active lifestyle of folks in the High Country certainly produces its share of neck and spinal injuries and lots of accelerated wear and tear. But the good news is that a local specialist can offer an up-to-date, truly world-class solution for many patients, allowing them to return to their busy lives with less pain and without a neck fusion.

Dr. Ernest Braxton, a noted neurosurgeon with offices at Vail Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery in both Eagle and Summit counties, is a leading expert at treatments involving cervical artificial disc replacements. Unlike the old days, where disc fusion surgeries were often the primary solution to disc damage, Braxton said that the newest generation of artificial disc implants can lead to much faster recovery times and marked improvement in both mobility and reduction of pain and discomfort.

“We provide a service for motion preservation, and a big alternative to fusion,” Braxton said. “Disc replacement maintains motion, and reduces and prevents adjacent segment disease. And we’ve had a 90% satisfaction rate –revision surgeries are less common on a disc replacement procedure.”

All of that, right here at the Vail Valley Surgery Center, in an outpatient setting that often allows patients to be back to their active lives.

Some real-life experience with artificial disc replacement
Like many Colorado residents, 53-year-old Telluride Realtor Teddy Errico has always played a little too hard – whether that be skiing, hockey, golf, softball or surfing.

“I had a little too much fun over all the years, especially all those fun things we do on the mountain,” Errico said.

Fifteen years ago, trouble began with a herniated C4-5 disc in his neck. Errico said he initially managed with PT visits and a stretching regimen. But by 2019, he had developed severe neck and arm pain that would go away with conservative care.

“I thought I could just grind through the pain, as you do in mountain life, but after getting some relief from a chiropractor visit, it never got better, and my doctor suggested I might need surgery,” he explained. 

COVID-19 complicated Errico’s options, but after talking to a half dozen specialists across the state, Errico got in touch with Braxton and said he was immediately impressed by his approach, and his suggestion of cervical artificial disc replacement.

Errico added “I knew his resume and I was impressed by how unbelievably well you get treated by his staff,”

Braxton said the technology involved in artificial disc replacement has been in existence in the United States since 2007, but the device he now uses was approved by the FDA in April 2021 for two levels. Made of PEEK (Polyether-ether-ketone) and ceramic, the discs are an artificial ceramic and biopolymer mix that makes them more compatible with MRI scans.

After an initial, more traditional surgery in late January 2021, Errico said much of his hip pain had dissipated, and he was even able to snowboard a bit during closing week at his local hill. But the neck pain was still a big issue, and Braxton arranged to provide Errico the disc replacement surgery on April 23.

“I was literally out by 1:30 p.m. that day, and I spent some time afterward in a neck brace that was more awkward than painful. Dr. Braxton gave me great advice to walk as comfortably as I could to get the blood moving, and I was able to leave town the next day.”

A fast and full recovery is the goal
Errico said the results were fantastic, and immediate. “It could not have gone better,” he said. “I do five sessions of PT a week and am walking two to four miles a week, and the range of motion in my neck is just about normal. My goal was always 100% to get back to what I was doing, and they’ve said I don’t have to change anything when I am completely healed. That’s been very exciting for me.”

Braxton said the procedure is not for everyone, but for otherwise healthy patients aged 18 to 65, it can be an ideal solution and an excellent alternative to fusion surgery.

“The primary advantages are faster recovery, as there are no screws or plates involved, and fewer incidents of reoperations being necessary,” he said. “Also, there’s less incidence of pseudoarthrosis, which occurs when fusion fails to heal.”