Best of Boulder 2010: Staff Picks

This year we not only had some new names in the winner's bracket, but a few new brackets, too, like Best Chai Drink and Best Medical Marijuana Wellness Center. Just more proof that Boulder County is always evolving and growing, no pun intended.

Best of Boulder 2010: Food

The term 'fusion' refers to cuisine that blends ingredients and cooking techniques from a variety of origins. Since 1993, chef Thuy (pronounced 'Twee') and her staff have offered Vietnamese food peppered with inspirations from France, China, Thailand and Indonesia, and the result is mouthwatering.

Best of Boulder 2010: Drink

Beer. A wondrous, bubbly, golden liquid. Quencher of thirst, loosener of tongues, restorer of courage and uniter of strangers; faithful companion to sports, counterbalance of salty foods and food group for college students. The virtues of this beverage, old as written history itself, are many.

Best of Boulder 2010: Entertainment

Ok, let's face it. In this economy, one of the first things that people cut down on is the discretionary money for the arts. But that is one of the most important things to invest in to keep a place like Boulder County the vibrant, cultural mecca that it is.

Best of Boulder 2010: Fitness & Health

Got a joint? Of course you do more than 300 of them. Don't worry though, you're not in danger of being nabbed for possession. We're talking about the joints in your body, and more specifically the ones in your spine.

Best of Boulder 2010: Retail

In Boulder, buying a car is the third biggest investment you can make, after your home and your Roubaix SL2 Saxo road bike. And that car will probably end up having to carry around Investment No. 2, so you'd better make sure it's a good one. So when it's time to pick out a new bicycle transporter, pedal on over to Blue Spruce Auto Sales.

Best of Boulder 2010: Retail (continued)

Was there ever any doubt about which store would win this one? We like to say, “If you can’t find it at McGuckin, you’re not going to find it.” This place carries everything from camping gear to stationery. That hard-to-find light bulb for the 40-year-old film projector? Got it. That little doo-hickey that goes in your push-go-shut? Aisle 12.

Digi-gifting for the 2009 holiday season

Nothin’ honors those ever-soworthy kith and kin on your shopping list each holiday season like gadgets — handheld, hi-def, mobile-on-the-go, ergonomic, rechargeable, solarpowered, or just plain noisy and cool. Green shoots are for suckers — the economy is still in the tank, and there’s no better way to keep us all distracted from that unfortunate reality than plug ’n’ play gizmo swag.

Tap into Boulder County's seasonal brews

Boulder County — where the beer flows like wine, and where the women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano. No, wait, that’s Aspen. But the beer does, indeed, flow like wine here in the Foothills. Boulder County boasts 23 breweries, brewpubs and meaderies. With 103 breweries in the state, Colorado is second in the nation for most breweries (California leads the way with 221), according to the Brewers Association. Now, that’s a lot of beer!

DVDs make last-minute shopping easy

From the latest hit films to a favorite TV series to classic movies appearing for the first time in Blu-ray, DVDs remain excellent gift choices this holiday season.

What to read (and give) this season

Books make for great holiday gifts. Here’s a quick roundup of what’s out this season. Snag your copy from the Boulder Book Store (1107 Pearl St.; www.boulderbookstore.com) or the Colorado “On the Hill” Bookstore (1111 Broadway; www.colorado.bncollege.com).

2009 Holiday CDs Guide

For whatever reason, 2009 is not going to go down as one of the better years for holiday albums. The main reason is that there weren’t as many releases as usual. In any event, here is this writer’s takes on the best and worst of this year’s seasonal releases.

Bring back the fruitcake

A Grand Finale Patisserie is hosting the 2nd annual rally to bring back the real fruitcake on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. in Louisville. Join bakery workers as they march down Louisville’s Main Street handing out samples and information about real fruitcake.

Your guide to where to get your treats this holiday season

Whether you are looking for a gift or a dessert to serve yourself, Boulder County has notable bakeries for everything from holiday cookies to fruitcakes to yule logs to satisfy your sugar cravings.

Gifts for the gear nut

Headlamps are a hot outdoor gift idea for the holidays

Other solar- and human-powered items have also been a hit this holiday season, Enloe says, citing the fact that he is sold out of hand-crank lanterns and flashlights, which provide an hour of light with only about a minute of cranking.

Green decorating

More than 28 million Christmas trees were chopped down and decorated in U.S. households during last year’s holiday season, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. Some say that is 28 million trees too many!

Your resource to the top sporting events

You can get a friend or a loved one tickets to a game, or you can get them tickets to the game. But there’s an art to picking the right game to give. Here’s a head start.

Thrift is green, local and easy on your wallet

Save money and give something unique this holiday season by hitting up local thrift and consignment shops. Not only are you getting a bargain, but you’re helping the environment through recycling. Also, if you shop at a nonprofit thrift shop, like the Salvation Army Thrift Store or Boulder Humane Society Thrift, you are also funding a local organization.

Holiday Recycling Guide

From batteries to wrapping paper, your resource for recycling holiday-related items

If the material you’re looking for is not on this list, call us at 303-444-6634 or visit our website at www.ecocycle.org. Check our online Guide to Hard-to-Recycle Materials for other unusual recycling items you may accumulate over the holidays or year-round.

What to get the green thumb

Local stores carry variety of gifts for gardeners

A recurring theme emerges when asking local nurseries and garden-supply stores about their hottest gifts of the holiday season. Several mention hydroponic growing systems. Hmm.

A green guide to gifts

Buy! Buy! Buy! It’s the holidays, and the ads are calling out with their siren songs (or are they cattle calls?), and the overwhelming sense of obligation to hurry up and get shoppin’ begins.

Tech -- and green!

Here’s the dilemma when it comes to electronics: they rock — sometimes, quite literally — but they often leave a large carbon footprint. Whether they suck power (ahem, Mr. Xbox 360 hooked up to a 60-inch television, I’m talking to you), or are simply made of products that are harmful to the environment, there can be a guilt factor associated with those tech toys you own.

10 ways to green your holiday

Bring your own bag and pass on the tissue paper, ribbons and stickers that so often accompany even the smallest holiday purchases. Forego complimentary gift wrapping and wrap gifts creatively in environmentally friendly ways

Make an impact this holiday season

It has begun. Not the holiday season — that’s still officially one week away — but rather Boulder Weekly’s Buy Local Month, part of our year-round I Love Local campaign. Starting this week, Boulder Weekly urges you to shop conscientiously for holiday food and gifts by choosing to spend your hard-earned dollars at locally owned businesses.

Boulder (gift) basket case

Forget the fruitcake. Try giving gift baskets instead. Like fruitcakes, they’re a universal holiday gift. But unlike fruitcakes, people are actually happy to receive them.Boulder County is home to a wealth of locally owned businesses that offer unique products ideal for making creative gift baskets. With a little planning, you can give a gift that demonstrates not only thoughtfulness, but also a commitment to our local economy.

From Boulder County's artists comes something for everyone

Art is sometimes overlooked as a popular holiday gift, but a variety of locally produced creations are available in Boulder County shops, exhibits and galleries — and not just paintings that cost thousands of dollars.

A little bling helps make the holiday bright

Ornaments and tinsel aren’t exclusive to holiday celebrations. Adorn yourself or your loved one with a little glitz this holiday season by buying from a locally owned jewelry store. Each store stands out because of the unique selection that it offers, whether that be heirloom or custom-made pieces. And they offer a wide price bracket, accommodating to those whose holiday budget is feeling constrained because of the economy.

Give memories, not things: active gifts

With winter comes a host of new things to do outdoors, which often lead to the best presents of all: lasting memories. Sure, you could buy someone a sweet striped sweater — but that gift won’t really last. Why not take them on a snowmobile trip, a sleigh ride, to an Avalanche game — or reserve something to look forward to, like a springtime balloon ride?

Give your loved ones the gift of health and well-being

As the New Year approaches, we want to rid ourselves of last year’s burdens. What better way to refresh than by giving the gift of relaxation? Whether you’re giving a manicure-pedicure gift certificate, day retreat to Gold Lake or a New Age gift like Thai Yoga Massage or Anjali Restorative Yoga, your gift will be well-appreciated.

Donate to a local charity

It`s difficult to avoid the holiday hype with carols, gifts, greeting cards, Christmas tree and menorah lighting ceremonies and the other hullabaloo that fills our calendars. Black Friday arrives, kicking off your shopping spree for friends and family. But what about the less fortunate? Who’s lifting their spirits during the holidays?

Nurturing nature

Thorne Natural Science School, for kids ranging from toddlers to teens, is celebrating its 53rd anniversary this year. The camp began in Boulder in 1957 and expanded to its Waterton Canyon location in Littleton in 1995. TNSS teaches kids to respect nature, while encouraging them to learn about different ecosystems and discover the great outdoors.

Kids Camp Directory

Come join us for 10 weeks of Dawson's exciting new summer camps and Programs for kids ages 5-18. From June 7 through Aug. 20, we will offer 40 various camps in academics, arts, music and drama, language and culture, sports, and various specialty day camps, running from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Kids Camp Directory (continued)

Girls Wilderness Program Adventure CampWomen’s Wilderness Institute, Boulder303-938-9191www.womenswilderness.orgWilderness-based courses specifically created for girls ages 8-18. Have a blast ba

Create a tradition

Here are some fun holiday traditions for you and your children to celebrate for years to come.

Kids Holiday Greeting Card contest

This holiday season Boulder County elementary schools participated in Boulder Weeklys Kids Holiday Greeting Card contest with kids submitting a festive drawing. Our Grand Prize Winner, Nederland Elementary first-grader Corbin Oxnards painting is featured on our cover.

PlayFair Toys

PlayFair Toys opened in 1982 with the focus of providing nothing but non-violent toys that cater to both boys and girls. The store didn’t have a section for boys with a bunch of toy guns or a pink section with baby dolls targeting little girls — a boy or girl could enjoy every single toy in the store. Almost three decades later, PlayFair Toys is still holding strong to that vision.

A local book buyer's guide to the best children's books

Liesl Freudenstein spends a lot of time reading children’s books. And not just because she has a 6-year-old and a 9-year-old at home. Freudenstein is the employee at the Boulder Book Store responsible for buying the kids’ books.

Holiday crafts for your kids

Do you have a little artist on your hands? Here are some places around town where your child can get into the holiday spirit by creating decorations or gifts.

Eco-friendly toys

Your children may have smaller feet than you, but their carbon footprints are just as big as yours. Buy your child ecofriendly toys this year.

Activities that will get your kids to abandon the screen

Unplug the television, get them off the couch, and head out for some fun activities that could actually leave them — and you — with some special memories.

Student Guide 2010: Welcome to CU

Welcome to the first day of your future. If youre a freshman, the next four years (give or take a semester) promise to be some of the most exciting, challenging and life-changing youll ever experience. Chances are, when you leave CU you wont be the same person you were when you got here.

Student Guide 2010: Boulder A to Z

Some words to the wise.

Student Guide 2010: Pay heed when doing the deed

They also offer the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine at low or reduced costs to students. This vaccine protects women from the four most common strains of the infection, which, in some cases, can cause genital warts and cervical cancer.

Student Guide 2010: Boulders scene: Local insight for new students

But rest assured that you chose a great place to pursue a higher education: There are so many activities, events and social networks to choose from that you could do something different every day from your first day of class to the day you graduate, if you had the time.

Student Guide 2010: Meet CUs alcohol and drug policies

Welcome to campus. For you freshmen in the audience, you now have more than 20,000 new neighbors, and youll be spending the next nine months (at least) in each others back pockets.

Student Guide 2010: Be careful what you sign

So, youve paid your dues in the dorms and are ready to move away from the tyranny of RAs and floor monitors and into your first place. Theres a big, enticing world of rental properties out there, and Craigslist has literally hundreds of apartments posted each day for your perusal.

Student Guide 2010: Whats in a name?

It was formerly known as the University of Colorado Student Union, a name that student leaders say was too confusing. According to Anthony DeLaRosa, CUSG chief of staff, some students thought it was a building, while others thought it was some kind of labor union.

Student Guide 2010: Youre in college, its time to get politically active

While proponents of the tax-killing measures say government has gotten too big and that people need to save all the money they can in this sluggish economy, opponents of Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101 say the initiatives would effectively shut down state government, crippling crucial public services and infrastructure.

Student Guide 2010: For studying, theres no place like Norlin

Students seem to approach studying in different ways, even though they all have the same goal of making the grade and passing the class. Some students prefer to study in isolation, with no one to distract them.

Student Guide 2010: Some tips for keeping safe on campus

While losing all your class notes or vacation pictures because someone jacked your laptop is bad enough, CU also sees its share of more serious crimes. In 2009, there were nine cases of forcible rape on or near campus and five aggravated assaults, according to the federally required Clery Report on campus crime statistics.

Summer Scene 2010: Experience Colorado

Whether it's concerts in the mountains or Shakespeare under the stars, our state has it all. Here in Boulder County, we've got RockyGrass and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, not to mention more than 200 miles of Open Space and Mountain Parks trails for hikers, bikers and equestrians.

Summer Scene 2010: So much to see and do

"The reason we chose this exhibit is because of how much music there is in Boulder," says Susan Linde, marketing director for the museum. "During the summer months, there's the Colorado Music Festival, the RockyGrass Festival out in Lyons. There's such a wealth of music based in Boulder."

Summer Scene 2010: Cruising campus

With the possible exception of the Euclid lot, parking on campus can be a pain, so you might try scoring a metered spot on the northwest side, along University between 17th and Broadway. From there, you can see the backside of your first stop, the towering Macky Auditorium.

Summer Scene 2010: Rocky Mountain high

Why we live here, why we stay, what we love about Boulder County it always comes back to the mountains. The geological accident that makes up Boulder County's backyard is nothing less than breathtaking.

Summer Scene 2010: Bluegrass and Folk

Summer is a special time in Colorado. The word conjures up memories of the hot sun beating down onto your back on the mountain biking trail, the rush of the cold river water spraying your face as you navigate a rapid, and the lush and vibrant carpet of colorful wildflowers in a valley deep in the mountains.

Summer Scene 2010: Concerts

If you put all the guitar strings, piano wire, drum sticks and horns that are strummed, plucked, struck and blown in one summer here in Boulder end to end, it would reach clear to the Moon and back. At least that's how it seems, with all the concerts, festivals, open mics, bluegrass picks and recitals going on from now until the end of August.

Summer Scene 2010: Festivals & Events

Finding something to do in Boulder during the summer is hard, and not because there's nothing going on. Unlike the residents of, say, Maza, N.D., (population: 5), we never have to worry about what to do on a Saturday night.

Summer Scene 2010: Screen

Pioneered and coordinated by film aficionado Joel Haertling, the Boulder Public Library Summer Cinema Program goes beyond popcorn flicks and offers up films that are themed, eye-opening and just plain fun for the whole family.

Boulder County ballot issues results

The final unofficial 2009 election results from Boulder County.

Longmont ballot issues results

The final unofficial 2009 results from the Longmont ballot issues.

Boulder Valley School District election results

The final unofficial 2009 election results from the Boulder Valley School District election Director, District B Lesley Smith: 68.45 percent

St. Vrain School District election results

The final unofficial 2009 results from the St. Vrain School District election. original story. Director, District B Debbie Lammers: 62.31 p

Park School District election results

The final unofficial 2009 results from the Park School District election. original story. School Director At Large Tony Paglia: 37.00 perc

Thompson School District election results

The 2009 results from the Thompson School District election.

Longmont City Council election results

The following is a list of the final unofficial 2009 election results from the Longmont City Council election.

Boulder City Council election results

The final unofficial 2009 results from the Boulder City Council election. Five seats were up for grabs.

City of Boulder ballot issues results

The final unofficial 2009 results from the City of Boulder ballot issues.

Longmont Mayor election results

The following is a list of the final unofficial 2009 election results from the Longmont mayoral election.