Dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins are neurotransmitters that regulate our happiness.  A neurotransmitter is a messenger of neurologic information from one cell to another.  Being in a positive mental state has significant impact on our motivation, productivity, and wellbeing. Did you know you can intentionally cause neurotransmitters to flow? Let’s take a look at each one and how you can activate them to make yourself happy. Dopamine motivates us to take action toward goals, desires, and needs, and gives a surge of reinforcing pleasure when achieving them. Procrastination, self-doubt,... Read More

  Meet Bongo the Balloon Man. Bongo is a self-taught balloon artist who has been creating masterful balloon animals for the youth of Boulder for over 31 years! You might recognize his familiar face from one of your recent strolls down the Pearl Street Mall as he has had his spot at the Peppercorn storefront for 28 years! Bongo, is a pillar of the Boulder community and epitomizes the culture of this city.  So, cheers to you Bongo and many more years of balloon animals to come.  Read More

In the news yesterday, a UK based research team reported that a massive iceberg weighing more than one trillion tons broke off from western Antarctica. It is bigger than the state of Delaware, and surprisingly (and thankfully) scientists do not believe it will impact sea levels or coastal regions. The ice shelf was already floating before it broke off and therefore there will be no water displacement or sea level rise. Recently, students and professors at the University of Colorado, Boulder have been studying the effects of black carbon on ice and snow in ecosystems around the world. Black carbon... Read More

Dan is a full time musician, currently on the road, with Iowa as his destination. He is originally from the Bay Area near San Fransisco, but travels to perform music, and also tap! He has previously played in Boulder a hand full of times with his band. In fact, his second stop his first time traveling with the band was Boulder! He used to perform for Andy, the owner of Albums on the Hill and also at the Boulder Theater. Now, Dan plays his music at weddings and different special events, but tapping is also part of his creative side. He is going to start offering tap lessons to inspire others to... Read More

Jack started playing the piano at four years old inspired by his two older sisters. Now, he goes to CU Boulder and studies music composition. He plays a little bit of a lot of things, but focuses on vocals and the piano. He hopes to either do film scoring, or possibly tour with a rock band after he graduates. Jack performs on Pearl Street occasionally. He loves doing this because it’s “a great way to connect with people is through music because there is no barrier between the musician and the audience.” Jack is about to record an album, and is going to host a release party in... Read More

Boulder will be jam-packed with concerts, events, and activities for the coming week. Here are some of the major highlights Monday 6/26 Start your week with a laid back evening at ‘Music on Pine Street’ hosted by the Hotel Boulderado. With FREE live music every Monday evening in June and July, the Hotel Boulderado will be hosting various local musicians and groups each week. What better way to spend a monday evening than with Free live music, food, cocktails and soft drinks. Music on Pine Street runs from 5pm-8pm on the hotel’s outdoor plaza at 13th st and Pine st; information on performances... Read More

Martin is a motivational speaker for the organization Save the Children, and also works with Art from Ashes. He writes and performs poetry for Art from Ashes, which specializes in empowering the youth. Martin says, “I wanted to give back, and I believe one of the best causes is for children because they’re shaping the future.” Martin doesn’t quit there, he also is working on writing a book and an album! He paints and takes photos – and of course, snowboards. Martin visited Colorado in July of last year for two weeks, fell in love, and decided to move here in September... Read More

In a recent study in Boulder, it was found that the city is leading the nation on gender equity. Currently, the national average for women’s wages are 84% of what men make. In Boulder the average is 88%. Boulder is obviously a special city, leading the nation in multiple avenues from preventative measures for climate change to progressive gender equality. This got me thinking about famous women in Boulder and the steps they have taken to catalyze change in their city and nation. If you were lucky enough to visit the Pioneers: Women Artists in Boulder exhibit last year at the Art Museum at... Read More

Kay is originally from Milan, Italy and moved to the Boulder in 2006. Before coming to Boulder, she lived in Pennsylvania, California, St. Louis and many other places. She was adopted, which was what prompted her move to the U.S., but, “if I wasn’t adopted I would want to come to America to experience the different cultures and people. It’s a place people come to thrive and succeed and that would be why I would want to come here.” She occasionally goes back to Italy because a lot of her family still resides there. She says Pearl Street is lit and believes that the people... Read More

Kirt is a Colorado native, and has lived all around the State, but finds himself coming back to Boulder for multiple reasons. Six years ago he suffered a terrible brain injury, causing him to lose everything. He was living in a tent in Adams County for a while, then found a home with a lady in Lafayette for four and a half years. He started to seek out social security, and was able to get Social Security Disability Insurance in Boulder because of his brain injury. He also found that “people gave me all the help I needed in Boulder.” He is currently living on the streets, but plans... Read More

If you’re a running enthusiast in Boulder County you’ve probably heard about the Bolder Boulder 10k run. It’s the third largest road race in the United States and was recently named the best 10K by Runner’s World. There’s usually thousands of spectators, thousands of runners, random entertainment like slip n’ slides and music, outrageous running costumes, and it all starts this Monday on May 29th. The race first started in 1979 as a Memorial Day Tribute that still continues today. The fastest time for the 6.2 mile race occurred in 1995, with a man named Josephat Machuka, who ran it... Read More

“The mountains speak to my faerie soul” Hailing all the way from Florida, Ashley has worked as a professional faerie since she was 10 years old. She does so in pursuit of bringing laughter, love, and joy to the world. Being by the mountains “makes me feel like I’m at home” she says. Right now Ashley is looking for her next great adventure; having worked in costuming, real estate, and her very own faerie business she hopes to keep bringing joy and happiness to those around her wherever her adventures take her.  Read More

Meet Daelin!  Daelin was inspired to pursue music education after having great teacher’s of his own. “Music is a big deal to me,” he says, “it would be cool to be that person that teaches other people their own music.” He is currently saving up to attend CU Boulder to continue his passion and beautiful talent while teaching others the art of music.  Read More

Meet Elizabeth! She was volunteering at the Boulder Creek Fest encouraging kids to sign up for reading camps this summer. “Reading is important to me because it opens a world that you can’t explore anywhere else. It opens opportunities and voices, and gives you a voice that nobody else can ever have or understand unless you put it in words.”  Read More

Last weekend was Earth Day, and Boulder citizens made their zeal for the environment and sustainability known with hikes and conferences downtown, kid’s activities in the park, and films at the Fiske Planetarium at the University of Colorado. Boulder is an exceptionally environmentally conscious town and I thought it would be interesting to look at the history of Earth day and what Boulder citizens have done to help and protect the environment. The first Earth Day occurred in 1970, and was started by then Senator of Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson. After seeing a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara... Read More

“Here’s the thing, man. There has been SO much negativity in the news, lately. SO many terrible things that have happened. SO many people sharing their opinions on things like racism, and gun control, and politics. But you know what? Think of the difference it would make if everyone who raised their voice on these issues actually stood up and tried to change things. People forget- we ALL forget- how much of a difference we can make if we try. Now’s the time, man. Now’s the time.” -James Lowenstein  Read More

I don’t know about anyone else, but the middle of April always feels kind of bland.  Nothing really special seems to be going on, and we’re in that almost but not quite spring part of the year, so I thought I’d change things up again for this week and have a theme.  This week, we’re looking at events that have to do with sustainability and protecting the environment.  That may sound boring, but I think you’ll find at least one of these events interesting. Starting with Tuesday the 18th, the Boulder Theater is presenting the Recycled Runway for the 8th year in a row.  Hosted by The... Read More

Recently, walking around Boulder and taking in the sites, I’ve noticed an ample amount of street art, most notably drawn/painted/stenciled by SMiLE, an anonymous Boulder artist. SMiLE’s repertoire ranges from portraits of Jack Kerouac and Brad Pitt, to a menagerie of animals, most especially cats. A little less than a year ago SMiLE had an exhibition in Boulder titled ‘Streets to Canvas’, and made a profound statement on the website promoting the event. SMiLE states, “Art has always been in the vanguard of the worlds changing consciousness, and Street Art is the contemporary form of this... Read More

It may be hard to believe there’s only two weeks left in March, although it has been feeling a lot like spring already. In the spirit of the changing season, here are three fresh events for the upcoming week.   Starting off on Tuesday the 21st from 6:30-8:30 is the Courage Club: Relationship addition.  This event, as the name suggests, focuses on improving a relationship in your life, but not just romantic ones.  They will help with relationships of all kinds, such as roommates, family, co-workers, and purely social ones.  This Club will teach you about how fear may be affecting you in... Read More

Keith didn’t think he was going to make it to the summit of the flatirons. He’s from Pennsylvania, but made the trip out to Boulder so he could visit a friend. Keith was worried that hiking mountains that are already a mile high would prove to be difficult. He was especially worried about getting altitude sickness and suffering through horrible headaches – which have been a problem for him in the past. After hearing stories from friends and family that have visited, he was expecting to be out of breath and in need of oxygen almost immediately. But, on the contrary, he found it much easier... Read More