If you're reading this post, you're probably on it right now. MyMountainTown.com. Meet our beloved Sharon Trilk, she's the face behind My Mountain Town, the leading news and forum website for the foothills. 🏔

Sharon is über-passionate about our local mountain towns and is constantly striving to strengthen the fabric of our community. Learn about her story and how she came to take over My Mountain Town back in 2011 as well as what MMT has to offer.

"Our goal is to connect everyone in the community—the businesses, the non-profits, the community members… because we all help each other succeed and thrive. But it takes more than just being online. You have to get out in your community. So I'm going to challenge everyone. Pick a favorite non-profit in the area and find one you love, and just volunteer for an hour or two a month or an hour a two a week. Whatever you have time for. When we all pitch in and get to know each other, we make it the place to live that it is. It's beautiful; this is the place to be. This is our heart."

Sharon Trilk, Owner of My Mountain Town

 Click "continue reading" for the full video interview!

I don't know about you, but I use Instagram for business a good bit. It's great for professionals in the real estate industry since it's a visual platform and I get to look at pretty houses all day. But besides the visual aspect of it, this social platform has played an instrumental role in the many friendships I've made with some really cool and interesting people (that I probably wouldn't have met otherwise)! 

Take Phil Eisele, for example. I discovered Phil while surfing through Instagram using geographical hashtags. (Did I lose you there?) Anyway, when I used a local geo-tag, Phil's art popped up on my screen. Not knowing he was from the area, I tapped on his profile and was drawn to his art. Then I realized he was from Bailey and that's when I decided to feature him as a guest! 

I'm in a very creative time in my life right now. I feel very thankful to God that I'm able to be up here in this beautiful place of Bailey, and work from home, and create. I just feel like I'm kind of back to my roots of what I did years ago and it feels terrific.

by Phil Eisele, The Eisele Art Gallery

 Click "continue reading" for the full video interview!

Have you been to the amazing Treehouse Adventure Park yet? It's located near downtown Bailey and is such a beautiful and unique aerial park where no climbing experience is necessary! It's fun for (almost) all ages!

Push yourself on challenge courses while being suspended in the sky and ride along self-guided zip lines. The encouraging staff is there help you whenever it's necessary.

It's just an amazing time. There are so many new boundaries that could be pushed. You can be super high up and you can also stay really low, but you're challenging yourself in so many ways. I see people who come out here, afraid to get off the ground, and then they get up there and they are blown away at what they just accomplished. And that's so exciting to see people break those boundaries and have confidence and really learn new things about themselves.

Monique Bright, Trainer & Coordinator at Treehouse Adventure Park

Click "continue reading" for the full video interview!

Anna Williams took over the CRAVE Consignment boutique in Bergen Park a year and a half ago.

I was in the fitting room trying on some fresh duds when I overheard (not intentionally eavesdropping, but the fitting room is right there) Anna talking about the "2-Buck" bin to a customer and how the proceeds benefit Mountain Peace Shelter.  I knew right then I wanted to get to know her more!

I'm always on the hunt for a good deal on fashion.  This place definitely fits the bill!  

You're RECYCLING clothing and it's really kind of about the hunt. So you never know what you're gonna find and it makes everyone happy!

by Lynnda Upton, Sales Associate at CRAVE 

Click "continue reading" for the full video interview!

Meet the duo behind Colorado Serenity Magazine. You know, the monthly magazine you get in the mail... the one with the large glossy pages!

Be sure to sign up for their email list so you can be a guest at their upcoming Schmoozer event which will be a great networking opportunity on April 17th at the Wild Game in Evergreen. It's free to the public!

I actually got the greatest compliment a few months ago. A woman came up to me who had just moved here from Michigan. And she thanked me and said that this was her "Bible" for getting involved in the community. So she was able to pick her lawyer, her doctor, her dentist, all these different things based on the information in Serenity.

by Doug Kinzy, Publisher of Colorado Serenity

Click "continue reading" for the full video interview!  

Her mentor once said, "When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. When you photograph people in black and white, you photograph their soul."

Sue Kaltenbach is a local photographer who focuses on capturing more than what meets the eye. She captures the story behind the subject through her black and white fine art photography. The idea is to focus on the elemental, essential nature of a portrait. Less becomes more.

She specializes in relationship photos -- couples, families and kids, babies, etc., but her true passion is to photograph those who need special consideration when it comes to portrait photography, as well as people 50 and older, as they tend to have rich stories.

Sue and her husband will lovingly handprint your photos so that they can last multiple generations.

Photographing rich stories really lends itself to black and white because you don't want distractions, you want the elemental nature of that person, that story.

by Sue Kaltenbach Ryan of Skalte Images

Click "continue reading" for the full video interview! 

Bailey MOPS is a mothers' support group that embraces the journey of motherhood and recognizes the challenges faced with raising children. Come connect with other moms, be inspired and mentored, engage in honest conversation and relevant teaching, enjoy delicious food and savor a break while your children are in good hands having fun!

I personally know that being a new mom in the mountains can get lonely and was so excited when I heard about this group. Co-Coordinators Michelle Peiffer and Fressia Alexander welcome you with open arms and encourage you to try your first meeting for free!

Even if you're nervous about coming into a group of women, just come as you are. We have people waiting at the door to greet you and to show you around. I was scared the first time I came. I didn't know what to expect with this huge group of women or if I would fit in. But this group is awesome. We are loving, and you have a place, and we are saving your seat.

Michelle Peiffer, Co-Coordinator of Bailey MOPS

Click "continue reading" for the full video interview!

​Tucked away in Friendship Ranch in Bailey is a mountain oasis known as Deer Creek Mountain Camp.  With a motto like, "Intentionally Simple," I just had to go see what they're all about.  You don't have to go far to find blissful mountain camping - it's right here in your backyard.

Our mission is to provide a mountain experience that's intentionally simple for families and groups. We don't have all the highly-programmed activities -- we don't want those things.  We want this to be a retreat, a mountain oasis, where people can relax and enjoy.

by Brent Kroeker, Owner of Deer Creek Mountain Camp

 Click "continue reading" for the full video interview!

Paint. It's the medium that Rachel Henderson has been using to spread happiness and invoke creativity in others for nearly 20 years! You might catch her around town painting the faces of little ones at an event or leading a canvas painting party. Her creative spirit and kind demeanor has helped her become a successful small business owner and a positive influence in the community.

You can't have a bad day when you're making kids smile...

-Rachel Baer Henderson, Owner of Rachel's Creations

Click "continue reading" for the full interview and video!

Psst!!

By the way, did you know that November 24th is Small Business Saturday? Small Business Saturday is a great time to promote not only your own business, but that of your fellow businesses in the area as well! 

In this episode of Keeping Up With The Community, I sat down with local leading photographer, Amy Johnson. We chatted about how she's self-taught, how she uses photography for a cause, her exciting new business, and a very special offer she's got for the community.

Click "continue reading" for the full interview and video! 

It's colorless, odorless, tasteless, and probably lurking in your basement this very moment.  Can you guess what I'm talking about?

Yup.

A little thing called RADON. 

In this episode of Keeping Up With The Community, Ryan Tereshko of Ryan's Painting and Contracting discusses the effects of radon, how to test for it, and what to do if your radon is on like Donkey Kong.

Press play to watch!

If you're reading this, chances are you live in Colorado and you've heard the term "CBD" before. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a fascinating topic of conversation and an ingredient derived from Mother Nature's hemp plant. Want to learn more about it? Just watch this video interview I did with the team at Pure Hemp Collective in Conifer. 

Want to get 20% off your entire purchase?! Be sure mention you saw this video when you come into their store! 

Did you know that there is a 3D printing store right in Evergreen?

3D printing is a technology that is very common among engineers, but has not always been readily available to the public. It's a way to build real objects from digital files. How it works is the 3D printer converts a software blueprint into slices and deposits layer after layer of plastic, metal or other composites until the finished product is formed. Compared to traditional manufacturing methods like cutting, carving and drilling, it takes less time and raw material. 

So whether you're building a prototype for an invention, you need a custom part for your hot tub that you can't get from the manufacturer, or you want a really unique gift for someone, 3D printing can take your idea from a blueprint to a tangible product.

Mention you saw this interview and get a huge discount when you 3D print! Details inside.

​If you live in Colorado and DON'T have dry skin, I must say, you're one of the lucky ones.  Dry skin has plagued me for years out here!  In this climate, with the lack of humidity and 300+ days of summer, it's crucial to care for your skin, especially the delicate skin on your face.  Meet Emily Cumberland, Owner of EMC Esthetics (known for its $50 facial!).  She's a licensed esthetician who will treat your skin like a work of art.  Services include facials, full-body and eyebrow waxing, microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, eyelash extensions, tinting, and more.  Ladies, if you've been looking for a brow master, look no further!  Watch this video to receive a discount! 

The next time you're in downtown Bailey, drop into the new location of Native Vibrations Crystals & Gifts! This eclectic gem and crystal store is full of positive energy and beautiful trinkets. Meet Boyd Brookhart, the owner, who has had an affinity for digging crystals and gems since he was three. Mention you saw this video and receive a discount! Details inside.

Today's Jazzercise is not your mother's Jazzercise.  Meet Aimee Pless, Owner/Class Instructor of Conifer Jazzercise Fitness Center!  The studio offers ALL different types of classes to accommodate all levels of fitness -- 37 to be exact!  Learn more about Aimee, the studio, and how Jazzercise has evolved since the 80s when you watch this video!  

Pssst... and if you're a busy mom like me you'll be happy to know they have CHILDCARE!  (Click "Continue reading...")

You know that thrift store that sits above Buster's Pet Supply in the STAPLES shopping center?  Yup, that one.  Well, it's part of the Mountain Resource Center.

​Mountain Resource Center has been around for 28 years.  It's a local non-profit that has done an excellent job of strengthening the community by providing services that empower people.  And not just families, either. People commonly perceive Mountain Resource Center as emergency support, but they actually offer services that anyone can benefit from, and I mean anyone.

Click "Continue reading" to watch this short video and learn more about their services, as well as how YOU can get started as a client, and how you can help return the favor to such a wonderful organization. 

Hiland Mobile Safe & Lock services Conifer, Bailey, Evergreen and surrounding areas. They are a 24/7 mobile locksmith that can help you with all of your residential, commercial and automotive locksmith needs. Mike Upton is the Owner/Operator.  Click "Continue Reading" to watch our full interview!

Harmony Nails has been in Conifer 2007, but John Nguyen has been the owner since it changed hands almost a year ago. They offer a variety of services including manicures, pedicures, gels, acrylic nails, and eyebrow waxing. Their hours are as follows:
Mon - Fri: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sat: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sun: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

I've been seeing John and the gals at Harmony Nails for a few years now and I love that they're always so thorough. I decided to ask John a few questions (while I was getting a manicure) so that the community could get to know him a little better.