Former Boulder Weekly entertainment editor Jeff Stratton, 41, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 14, due to complications from an ulcer while visiting in Honduras . Jeff worked at Boulder Weekly from 1993 to 1996.

Ballet Nouveau Colorado. 7:30 p.m. Performing Arts Complex at PCS, 1001 W. 84th Ave., Denver, 303-450-3985. The Ride With Santa..

´Tis the season for getting a little frantic. Your schedule is crammed, your to-do lists are long and your to-buy-for list is much longer than your list of what-to-buy ideas. We get it. So before you get all strung out on eggnog lattes and start swarming the mall looking for inspiration in every mannequin’s face, consider the contents of these pages. We’ve done the hard work for you.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released data indicating that groundwater can be contaminated by hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.” The EPA released a draft analysis of data from its three-year Pavillion, Wyo., groundwater investigation on Dec. 8.

Community Cycles, a nonprofit organization advocating the safe use of bicycles, will hold its sixth annual Holiday Kid's Bike Giveaway on Sunday, Dec. 18, at Boulder Indoor Cycling, 3550 Frontier Ave. The giveaway will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In the history of rock ’n’ roll, images hold a special place. Songs can be classics, but only photos are usually called iconic. And while some photos of classical rockers have become as

Friday, Dec. 9 3 to 9 p.m. — “What Is Occupy?” A series of eight professors from CU will discuss the Occupy movement, University Memorial Center Glenn Miller Ballroom, CU campus

The 24th annual Lights of December Parade will hit downtown Boulder this Saturday, Dec. 3. This year, the parade will feature more than 50 local entries, including both the Fairview and Boulder High School marching bands and the Swing Dancing Elves.

Boulder county residents will have the opportunity to experience the lives of low-income families in a poverty simulation hosted by the Boulder County Circles Campaign on Dec. 15 at the Longmont YMCA.

Boulder´s Best Organics is an offering from Best Organics, Inc., a primarily woman-owned business that has its roots firmly planted in our city below the Flatirons. The Boulder company offers a wide variety of gift boxes and baskets that will make any recipient both happier and healthier even as the gift helps support our local economy and organic producers. It’s the kind of gift that would make Walter Goldschmidt proud (see “A tale of two cities,” page 11). The company also offers kosher and gluten-free selections. Baskets not found for sale at Alfalfa’s Market in Boulder can be viewed and purchased online at americasbestorganics.com. The following descriptions were edited from the website.