Free Days at Rocky Mountain National Park

These days in 2012 are free for all National Parks:

September 29, THIS Saturday ♥

and November 10-12.

Good Advice from Morrie Schwartz

Morrie-isms
   From the book Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom

Do I whither up and disappear, or do I make the best of my time left?

Accept what you are able to do and what you are not able to do.

Accept the past as past, without denying it or discarding it.

Learn to forgive yourself and to forgive others.

Don’t assume that it’s too late to get involved.

Death should not be embarrassing.

Am I going to withdraw from the world, like most people do, or am I going to live? 

I’m going to live – or at least try to live – the way I want, with dignity, with courage, with humor, with composure.

There are some mornings when I cry and cry and mourn for myself.  Some mornings, I’m so angry and bitter.  But that doesn’t last too long.  Then I get up and say, “I want to live…”

I’m on the last great journey here – and people want me to tell them what to pack.

Dying is only one thing to be sad over.  Living unhappily is something else.

Have I told you about the tension of opposites?  Life is a series of pulls back and forth.  You want to do one thing, but you are bound to do something else.  Something hurts you, yet you know it shouldn’t.  You take certain things for granted, even when you know you should never take anything for granted.  A tension of opposites, like a pull on a rubber band.  And most of us live somewhere in the middle.  Sound like a wrestling match?  Yes you could describe life that way.  So which side wins?  Love wins, love always wins.

Death is the great equalizer, the one big thing that can finally make strangers shed a tear for one another.

The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.

Love is the only rational act.

It’s only horrible if you see it that way.  It’s horrible to watch my body slowly wilt away to nothing.  But it’s also wonderful because of all the time I get to say good-bye.  Not everyone is so lucky.

Everyone knows they’re going to die, but nobody believes it.  If we did, we would do things differently.  To know that you’re gong to die, and to be prepared for it at any time.  That’s better. 

How can you ever be prepared to die?  Do what the Buddhists do.  Every day, have a little bird on your shoulder that asks, ‘Is today the day?  Am I ready?  Am I doing all I need to do?  Am I being the person I want to be?’

Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.

The fact is, there is no foundation, no secure ground, upon which people may stand today if it isn’t the family.  It’s become quite clear to me as I’ve been sick.  If you don’t have the support and love and caring and concern that you get from a family, you don’t have much at all.  Love is so supremely important. 

Love each other or perish (by the great poet Auden)

Spiritual security – knowing that your family will be there watching out for you.

Detachment doesn’t mean you don’t let the experience penetrate you.  On the contrary, you let it penetrate you fully. That’s how you are able to leave it. (said after a particularly violent coughing attack)  Take any emotion – love for a woman, or grief for a loved one, or what I’m going through, fear and pain from a deadly illness.  If you hold back on the emotions – if you don’t allow yourself to go all the way through them – you can never get to being detached, you’re too busy being afraid.  You’re afraid of the pain, you’re afraid of the grief.  You’re afraid of the vulnerability that loving entails.  I know that you think this is just about dying, but it’s like I keep telling you.  When you learn how to die, you learn how to live.

On the subject of crying:  Turn on the faucet.  Wash yourself with the emotion.  It won’t hurt you.  It will only help.

On fear:  If you let the fear inside, if you pull it on like a familiar shirt, than you can say to yourself, “All right, it’s just fear, I don’t have to let it control me.  I see it for what it is.”

On loneliness:  You let go, let the tears flow, feel it completely – but eventually be able to say, “All right, that was my moment with loneliness.  I’m not afraid of feeling lonely, but now I’m going to put that loneliness aside and know that there are other emotions in the world, and I’m going to experience them as well.

On dependence:  I’m an independent person, so my inclination was to fight all of this – being helped from the car, having someone else dress me.  I felt a little ashamed, because our culture tells us we should be ashamed if we can’t wipe our own behind…. And you know what?  The strangest thing.  I began to enjoy my dependency.  Now I enjoy when they turn me over on my side and rub cream on my behind so I don’t get sores.  Or when they wipe my brow, or they massage my legs.  I revel in it.  I close my eyes and soak it up.  And it seems very familiar to me.. It’s like going back to being a child again.  Someone to bathe you.  Someone to lift you.  Someone to wipe you.  We all know how to be a child.  It’s inside all of us.  For me, it’s just remembering how to enjoy it.  The truth is, when our mothers held us, rocked us, stroked our heads – none of us ever got enough of that.  We all yearn in some way to return to those days when we were completely taken care of – unconditional love, unconditional attention.  Most of us didn’t get enough.

There’s a big confusion in this country over what we want versus what we need...  You know what really gives you satisfaction?  Offering others what you have to give.  I don’t mean money…I mean your time.  Your concern.

When I give my time, when I can make someone smile after they were feeling sad, it’s as close to healthy as I ever feel.

I decided what I want on my tombstone:  A Teacher to the Last.

I believe in being fully present.  That means you should be with the person you’re with.

I’ve learned this much about marriage.  You get tested.  You find out who you are, who the other person is, and how you accommodate or don’t.

There are a few rules I know to be true about love and marriage:  If you don’t respect the other person, you’re going to have a lot of trouble.  If you didn’t know how to compromise, you’re going to have a lot of trouble.  If you can’t talk openly about what goes on between you, you’re gonna have a lot of trouble.  An if you don’t have a common set of values in life, you’re gonna have  a lot of trouble.  Your values must be alike.  The biggest one of those values:  Your belief in the importance of your marriage.

People are only mean when they’re threatened.

In the beginning of life, when we are infants, we need others to survive, right?  And at the end of life, when you get like me, you need others to survive, right?  But here’s the secret: in between, we need others as well.

On dying:  Don’t let go too soon, but don’t hang on too long.

Be compassionate and take responsibility for each other.  If we only learned those lessons, this world would be so much better a place.

This disease is knocking at my spirit.  But it will not get my spirit.  It’ll get my body.  It will not get my spirit.

Forgive yourself before you die.  Then forgive others.

I mourn my dwindling time, but I cherish the chance it gives me to make things right.

As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling for life we had, we can die without ever really going away.  All the love you created is still there.  All the memories are still there.  You live on – in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here.

Death ends a life, not a relationship.

On the important questions:  As I see it, they have to do with love, responsibility, spirituality, awareness.  And if I were healthy today, those would still be my issues.  They should have been all along.

On Love:  In business, people negotiate to win.  They negotiate to get what they want.  Maybe you’re too used to that .  Love is different.  Love is when you are as concerned about someone else’s situation as you are about your own.

Fuel My Route - don't leave home without it!

Fuel My Route is a great website where you can locate the best gas prices for a trip or commute.  Bookmark it now, you will be glad you did!  http://fuelmyroute.com/

BIG List of Senior Discounts

These have not be verified, but don't be afraid to ask at these businesses or any others....  Sue

"Do you give a senior discount?"   .... see it is easy.

YOU must ASK for your discount.

  

RESTAURANTS:

Applebee's: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)

Arby's: 10% off ( 55 +)

Ben & Jerry's: 10% off (60+)

Bennigan's: discount varies by location (60+)

Bob's Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)

Boston Market: 10% off (65+)

Burger King: 10% off (60+)

Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee ( 55+)

Chili's: 10% off ( 55+)

CiCi's Pizza: 10% off (60+)

Denny's: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members ( 55 +)

Dunkin' Donuts: 10% off or free coffee ( 55+)

Einstein's Bagels: 10% off baker's dozen of bagels (60+)

Fuddrucker's: 10% off any senior platter ( 55+)

Gatti's Pizza: 10% off  (60+)

Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)

Hardee's: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)

IHOP: 10% off  ( 55+)

Jack in the Box: up to 20% off ( 55+)

KFC: free small drink with any meal ( 55+)

Krispy Kreme: 10% off ( 50+)

Cousin Cathy, How's that?

Long John Silver's: various discounts at locations ( 55+)

McDonald's: discounts on coffee everyday ( 55+)]

Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)

Shoney's: 10% off Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)

Steak 'n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday ( 50+)

Subway: 10% off (60+)

Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)

Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)

TCBY: 10% off ( 55+)

Tea Room Cafe: 10% off ( 50+)

Village Inn: 10% off (60+)

Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)

Wendy's: 10% off ( 55 +)

White Castle: 10% off (62+) This is for me ... if I ever see one again.

RETAIL & APPAREL :

Banana  Republic: 10% off ( 50 +)

Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month ( 50 +)

Belk's: 15% off first Tuesday of every month ( 55 +)

Big Lots: 10% off

Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days ( 55 +)

C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)

Clarks: 10% off (62+)

Dress Barn: 10% off ( 55+)

Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)

Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)

Kmart: 20% off ( 50+)

Kohl's: 15% off (60+)

Modell's Sporting Goods: 10% off

Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions

Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday ( 55+)

The Salvation Army Thrift  Stores: up to 50% off ( 55+)

Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month (55 +)

GROCERY :

Albertson's: 10% off first Wednesday of each month ( 55 +) ]

American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday ( 50 +)

Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)

DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)

Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+)

Fry's Supermarket: free Fry's VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday (55 +)

Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)

Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)

Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)

Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)

Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)

Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)

The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday ( 50+)

Publix: 5% off every Wednesday ( 55 +) Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every

Thursday (60+)

Uncle Guiseppe's Marketplace: 5% off (62+)

TRAVEL :

Airlines:

Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+)

American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations

Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

Rail:

Amtrak: 15% off (62+)

Bus:

Greyhound: 5% off (62+)

Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50+

Car Rental:

Alamo Car Rental: up to 25% off for AARP members

Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members

Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members ( 50+)

Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off ( 50+) Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members

Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members

National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members

Over Night Accommodations:

Best Western: 10% off ( 55 +)

Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)

Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off (60+)

Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)

Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)

Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+)

Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance Hyatt

Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off  depending on location (62+)

Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+) InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+) ]

Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler's Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)

Marriott Hotels: 15% off  (62+) Motel 6: 10% off (60+)

Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off ( 55 +)

Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+) Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)

Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)

ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT :

AMC Theaters: up to 30% off ( 55 +)

Bally Total Fitness: up to $100 off memberships (62+) Busch Gardens

Tampa, FL: $3 off one-day tickets ( 50 +) Carmike Cinemas: 35% off  (65+)

Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off

U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)

Regal Cinemas: 30% off Ripley's Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket (55+)

SeaWorld Orlando, FL: $3 off one-day tickets ( 50 +)

CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS :

AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $29.99/month (65+)

Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service ( 50 +) 

Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+).

MISCELLANEOUS :

Great Clips: $3 off hair cuts (60+)

Super Cuts: $2 off haircuts (60+)

Dog Baths and Beyond - Wed. Special for Seniors 65 +

Check Website for times and more info HERE 

Self Serve Dog Bath is $10.00 Tuesday - Sunday

AND

Every Wednesday they will do the washing of pets for seniors (65 and older) for the price of a self wash.  Price good for the first pet any additional pet is regular price.  Make an appointment, spots fill up quickly!

1221 W. Eisenhower Blvd.
Loveland, CO 80537
970-622-9466

NoCO Summer Concerts

NoCO Summer Concerts

For details about the Loveland concerts, call 962-2563 and for information about the Fort Collins series, call 484-6500 or visit http://downtownfortcollins.com 

Foote Lagoon Concert Series, 7-9pm, 500 E. Third St. Loveland

July 12 -- The Elders (Celtic rock). Location change: Hammond Amphitheater, North Lake Park, eldersmusic.com .
July 19 -- Harpeth Rising (folk), harpethrising.com .
July 26 -- Colorado Swing Band (jazz/swing), coloradoswing.com .
Aug. 2 -- Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds (rock/funk), sistersparrow.com
Aug. 9 -- Angie Stevens and the Beautiful Wreck (Americana), angiestevens.com
Aug. 16 -- Under a Blood Red Sky (U2 tribute), uabrs.com . 

Concert Series by the Loveland Concert Band,7:15 p.m.(except for the July 4 concert), Hammond Amphitheater in North Lake Park, Loveland. 

June 5 -- Opening Night On Broadway.
June 12 -- Colorful Colorado.
June 19 -- The Olympics Are Coming (with a food drive).
June 26 -- Some of My Favorites.
July 4, 7:30 p.m. -- A Swingin' Fourth.
July 10 -- As Summer Ends. 

Sounds of Centerra, 7-9 p.m., Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra.

July 13 -- Don Elwood Big Band.
July 20 -- Kenny Cordova and The Olde Rock Band.
July 27 -- Soul School.
Aug. 3 -- Mountain Holler (bluegrass).
Aug. 10 -- Durango Drifters (country).
Aug. 17 -- Potcheen (Celtic rock). 

Ben and Jerry's FAC Concert Series, 7-9 p.m., Old Town Square stage.

June 1 -- Second Hand Smokers (cover and original rock).
June 8 -- Yettie (blues/classic rock/jam band).
June 15 -- Daddy Rab (classic hot hits/cool originals).
June 22 -- Rawah (bluegrass).
June 29 -- Fubar II (acoustic folk rock duo).
July 6 -- Amplified Souls (classic/contemporary pop, rock, blues and rock).
July 13 -- Max Wagner (jazz trio).
July 20 -- TriBuz (Premiere U2 Tribute Band).
July 27 -- Cornerstone (classic folk rock duo).
Aug. 3 -- Johnny Johnston (hot finger pickin').
Aug. 17 -- In the Mojo (high energy dance music).

Noontime Notes, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Oak Street Plaza at Oak Street and College Avenue.

June 5 -- Grupo Aztlan (Latin music).
June 16 -- Wendy Woo (rock, blues, folk, and jazz).
June 19 -- Mark Sloniker and Colleen Crosson (jazz piano).
June 26 -- TBA.
July 3 -- Steve Eulberg (mountain and hammered dulcimers).
July 10 -- Just Jazz Quintet.
July 17 -- Kort McCumber with James Moors (Americana, roots and rock).
July 24 -- TBA.
July 31 -- Jeff Finlin (Americana and folk rock).
Aug. 7 -- Interstate Cowboy (western swing, rock and ranch tunes).

Bohemian Nights Presents: Thursday Night Live Concert Series, 7-9 pm Old Town Square, Fort Collins.

May 31 -- Elmer Funk.
June 7 -- RETRO 80's Tribute Band.
June 14 -- Futaba.
June 21 -- Chris Daniels and the Kings.
June 28 -- SHEL.
July 5 -- Manabi Salsa Band.
July 12 -- ZARO and Beats Noir (Extra FC Jazz Experience concert 7-8, 8:30-10:30
p.m.).
July 19 -- Jeff Finlin.
July 26 -- Howling Moon Travelers.
Aug. 2 -- Lindsey O'Brien Band.

Area festivals with music:

June 23-24 -- 23rd annual Colorado Brewers' Festival, Fort Collins. 
(Paid admission.)
July 13-14 -- Loveland Loves Barbecue, Bands and Brews. 3-10 p.m. Friday and 11
a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Loveland.
July 21 -- Cherry Pie Festival, free, Loveland. Pie is available for purchase by the slice as well as ice cream and drinks available. Papa Juke will perform 4-5 p.m. Sammy Dee Morton Band 5:30-6:30 p.m. and Dixie Leadfoot 7-8 p.m.
Aug. 10-12 -- Annual Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest, Fort Collins. 
(Paid admission.)
Aug. 24-25 -- Old-Fashioned Corn Roast Festival, 5-10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Loveland.

Mile High Swappers -- NoCo Swappers

Mile High Swappers

Inspired by similar groups throughout the country, we are planning Denver/Boulder/Ft. Collins area food swapping events.  Food swaps are a great way to share amazing homemade food and drinks while having an excellent time with like-minded people in our community.

It's fun and easy - you bring a few of your homemade or home grown items to swap and you bring home the same number of other people's homemade goodies. A great way to show off your skills and fill your pantry with excellent yumminess.

Events Page 

Coming soon,  Sunday September 18th to Fickel Park on 620 Mountain Ave, in Berthoud, - 11am -1pm
Sunday, October 16th, 2-4pm at Matter Bookstore inside the Bean Cycle at 144 No. College Ave. in Fort Collins.

Tuesday is Bargain Movie Day at Centerra

All movies before 6pm on Tuesdays are $5.00 at Metrolux 14 at Centerra (Loveland). See website for all movie titles and showtimes. Click Here

Get ready for Summer Concerts and Events ... here they come!

Free Outdoor Concerts at Foote Lagoon in Loveland
2011 Summer Side of Loveland shows, to be held 7-9 p.m. each Thursday,
June 16 to Aug. 4, at Foote Lagoon, 500 E. Third St., at the Loveland Civic
Center. Click here for full story
• June 16, Chris Daniels and the Kings, rock.
• June 23, Halden Wofford and the Hi-Beams, honky-tonk.
• June 30, Angie Stevens and the Beautiful Wreck, Americana.
• July 7, 101st Army Dixieland Band, Dixieland jazz.
• July 14, April Verch Band, fiddle/roots.
• July 21, Dennis Stroughmatt and Creole Stomp, zydeco.
• July 28, Imagine, Beatles tribute.
• Aug. 4, Teen Battle of the Bands Showcase.
For more information, call 962-2410.
Information on any weather cancellations will be available at 962-2770, and updates will be placed on the Loveland Museum/Gallery’s Facebook page. Should bad weather occur, the concerts will be moved to the pavilion at Fairgrounds Park.

Summer Events at Centerra in Loveland
Movies on Main - Promenade Shops at Centerra - June 6-July 18
Taste of Centerra - June 28
Sounds of Centerra - July 15 - Aug. 19
Centerra Calendar of Events check here

Sounds of Centerra Concert Series
Enjoy the sounds of summer nights with Sounds of Centerra at Chapungu at 7:00 p.m. on Friday evenings from mid July through mid August. From rock-n-roll to country to acoustic melodies, the free concerts will have you swaying to the beat of local tunes at the beautiful Chapungu Sculpture Park, located just east of the Promenade Shops at Centerra.
July 15th:  Soul School  click here to see and hear!

July 22nd: The Indulgers click here to see and hear!

July 29th:  Kenny Cordova & The Olde Rock Band
Aug 5th:  Woodie Procell & The Snowy River Band click here to see and hear!
Aug 12th: Stray Grass click here to see and hear!
Aug 19th: The Kingpins click here to see and hear!

Summer Outdoor Concerts at Hudson Gardens
Littleton, Colorado

The line up sounds great for this value priced concert series,
including Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on June 19th. Click here to view
concerts and purchase tickets.

The Hudson Gardens & Event Center is located at 6115 South Santa
Fe Drive in Littleton, one-half mile south of Bowles Avenue, and three
miles north of Interstate C-470. Located on the west side of Santa Fe
Drive, The Gardens are across the street from Arapahoe Community
College. Plenty of free parking! See map here