Summer Concert Series *Coming Soon!*

FREE * FREE * FREE I'm all about FREE!

If you want to get out and about on those lovely summer evenings, the Summer Concert Series is the perfect way to do it.

You've got 3 options...

~Longmont Recreation Services at Roosevelt Park
 Tuesdays from 6:30-8pm

~Longmont Museum & Cultural Center
Wednesdays from 6:30-8pm

~ Downtown Summer Concert Series at 4th & Kimbark
Fridays at various times (usually 7:30-9pm)


There's also a July 4th concert with the Longmont Symphony Orchestra at Thompson Park.

Check out the full schedule, and I'll try to post reminders on Facebook!

Remember...
Bring chairs or blankets, grab some bug spray, and check the weather before you head out!
Alcohol is not allowed at Roosevelt Park.
Alcohol and pets are not allowed at the Museum & Cultural Center. (I've taken dinner with me though!)
Food & alcohol are available for purchase at the Downtown events.

Take the kids, the family, your friends, maybe a picnic...make a night of it!

Oh Petra, my Petra!

It's so nice when you discover a new favorite place and for me it is Petra! A.k.a The Petra Mediterranean Restaurant.
You gotta love an entrance like this...

If it doesn't look familiar, this is The Treasury at Petra, it is a World Heritage site in Jordan. Go on, Wiki it or read more about it on the Petra restaurant website. (Maybe you saw it in Indiana Jones??)

We were a little late on our lunch, so it wasn't too full when we got there. The walls are warm but bright, and the Mediterranean decor adds character. We sat next to a little decorated corner nook, where I assume the belly dancers perform. If you want some belly dancing entertainment they are there every Friday and Saturday nights.
I'd been looking at the menu for a good week before we went and I still couldn't quite decide what to have... Mom started out with mint lemonade, and it was a nice beginning to the taste festival to follow.
I was absolutely going to try the dolmas! You can find dolmas at the olive bar at King Soopers, but they can't quite compare to the ones I had when I was a kid. Homemade is still homemade.
I'm very happy to say that the dolmas at Petra did indeed taste homemade, and were still warm from the kitchen! They were perfect. I wish they came in bucket-sized portions like KFC chicken.

I could have eaten nothing else and been perfectly happy.  Oh but there was more.
Mom ordered the Vegetarian Green Bean Plate, and I ordered Okra with Beef. While we were waiting we saw someone receive their amazing looking gyro (maybe falafel or something else nestled in a pita) and I wanted to go over and take a bite out of it. So I guess I know what I'm getting next time.
First we received salads of fresh greens with an oil & vinegary dressing, along with plates of hummus and pita bread. Before I could stuff all of that in my face our entrees arrived.
Plates piled high with basmati rice and topped off with our selected yumminess.
I was almost too full by the time we got our main course to eat much of it but I dug in with my fork and pita and made a dent.

Okra with Beef

Green Bean Vegi

When we were finished, and our to-go boxes filled, the waiter asked us if we'd like baklava or other dessert. The correct answer to that question is "yes please!" but I just didn't think it would fit.

Earlier I had spied with my little eye a bottle on the bar...*gasp* Is that...? Why yes! It's one of my favorite drinks of all time! It is also very hard to find! It is called Arak, and it's heavenly. The only other person I've known to have a bottle had to have it shipped from overseas so this was exciting for me. It has such a pure anise taste that even my mother was tempted to lick out the shot glass.
Abe, the owner of Petra came over all smiles to chat and tell me where his Arak came from. Apparently all I have to do is go to Daveco! Or...just keep coming back to Petra I suppose. Then Abe will have to go to Daveco. ;)

He didn't seem quite sure I knew what I was getting in to when he offered me a drink and I said I drank it straight. He told us about a drink called Lion's Milk that you can make with Arak and water which I'll have to try. We also met his lovely daughter Ons, who is planning on making a movie this summer...a crime thriller at the pool I believe. Da-da-daaaaa.
And then...he brought us out a piece of baklava to try, which his wife had made. I love them both for it. It was amazing. Not too gooey or sweet, dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar, and with a little treat of rose or orange blosson in the middle. (Originally I thought it was rose but he said she also uses orange blossom, which I think it tasted more like after he reminded me.)

There is so much on the menu I can't wait to try! I hope to go back often! It's a great place for lunch outtings, dinners, dates, family, anything. If you go for "Attitude Adjustment Time" you can get 50% off house wines, and sample Mazah plates for $1.99. (Fri & Thurs 2:30-5pm)
If you get the chance say hello to Abe, he's happy to hear your feedback.
Enjoy!!
Like them on Facebook, or check out the menu on their website!

First ArtWalk of the season

Friday, May 18th
6:30-9pm

If you haven't been to ArtWalk then you are missing out on one of Longmont's best summer events!
What better excuse to go out and hang around town.
Main St. is blocked from 3rd to 6th, the kids can run amok in the streets & create chalk art to their heart's content, you can see loads of awesome local art, kids' art, local musicians, visit shops on Main St. that maybe you haven't been to before, stop in at a restaurant you've been meaning to try, watch dance performances, see artists in action, and learn more about your community and the organizations that support it.
Sounds like a pretty good all-in-one night out, no?
Honestly, I tend to go out more for the wandering and the crowd than the art but there's something for everyone! Have you seen the produce sticker guy?? He's amazing!

I started my night out at Ziggy's for a iced Bhakti chai. So good. AND it was free because I used up my Ziggy's punch card! Right outside the door was a group from Mojo Music Academy singing...Welcome to the Jungle if I remember correctly...? Seems there could be something in there children shouldn't sing but this is what I have in my head at the moment. She also sang a few Adele songs; she has that soulful style going for her. Quite a crowd for a wee girl to be up in front of, but she did great; as did the shaggy haired guitar/bass player next to her.

After wandering down to the next block I stopped to see some tiny children playing their tiny violins. Pretty darn cute, if you ask me.

St. Vrain school district art. Love the owl! Very deserving of that blue ribbon.

A Dabble demonstration. Helping people paint like they know what they are doing!

If you can see him, some might recognize this fella in the red. I see him out and about, mostly downtown; he tells me, one one way or another, I'm beautiful almost every time I see him. Haven't the faintest idea who he is. But nice fella. One of those local familiar faces.

A happy little guy getting a 5 minute caricature done.

A peek in at the martial arts students.

Performances by teams from Airborne Gymnastics

Art in Action...if I'm looking at my map correctly, this was Lillian Kennedy...making it look easy!

Next stop: Muse Gallery, to vote on the Shock Art entries

Unless you really zone out/pay attention to the road when you're driving then you've seen the painted "shock boxes" around town. Did you know you can vote on the design?? Well you can. These are now available for viewing and voting at the Longmont Museum. Go check them out! Any of them would be a cool addition to the public art in Longmont.

Which one is your favorite? I had to really think on my top 5 picks!

There's the little fishy box by Karen! (I got a sneak peek at that one before it was entered...)

I can't remember what the store is called where this was but I love this painting.

If you ever forget when ArtWalk is, check under the Frame Up sign...they usually have this banner up!

Singing some classic favorites...

And check out the cute little clown fan! Adorable.

Making totems out of clay. She was demonstrating how she makes them.

The running amok I mentioned earlier...

And some nerf battles with Renaissance Adventures!

Now is there any reason to miss out on all that??

On my way back to the car I stopped at Abbondanza Pizzeria and got a couple slices to go. Maybe next time I can get someone to join me and see if I can't convince one of the face painters to make me a tiger??
Don't miss the next ArtWalk on July 20th & Sep. 21st!
Like them on Facebook and you'll get a heads up in your newsfeed, or check out their website www.artwalklongmont.org

Longmont Museum & Cultural Center

Are you one of the people who just read that and said/thought....Longmont has a museum??
I hope not, but if you are then this will all be new to you!

Longmont does in fact have a lovely museum, of which I am a newly renewed member. (Thanks mom!)
Their permanent exhibit shows some of the history of Colorado and Longmont. Some of the exhibits are interactive and fun for the kids to play with. (Or the adults...) If they want some more to do, the top floor has a play area with costumes, books, and arguably one the neatest views of Longmont you can find.

The Raven and the Prarie Momdog?

Looking toward the Rec Center

(**The Friends of the Museum website says that admission is free...this is either no longer true, or doesn't apply to special exhibits. The current Edward Weston exhibit is $7. If you are only seeing the permanent exhibits I would confirm before you go, just in case there is an admission fee.)
We did go to see the Edward Weston exhibit. Very interesting black and white photos of nature, food, people, and other sights. He plays with shadows in a way that makes a simple sand dune look like an alien planet. The exhibit does display a bit of nudity, tastefully in my opinion, so keep that in mind if you're not comfortable with that.
I was more looking forward to the mural by Julie Clement, a Longmont artist. I thought they would have more of her work but the massive mural is a sight to see on it's own. She does have some cards and jewelry in the gift shop. So if you're drawn to her slightly psychedelic polka dots, you might want to check that out as well! I loved it. It sorta makes you feel like you need to sit down if you look too close...but, hey, that's part of the fun!

The exhibits are always changing and if you like museum trips it's not a bad idea to become a Friend of the Museum, because once you're a member you get free admission to all special exhibits.
If you aren't in to the art and history so much they also have free summer concerts, discovery days, and all kinds of fun stuff for the kids.
The most fun exhibit they have is the Day of the Dead exhibit that comes in October. It's their biggest event and so awesome. I will certainly write about that when the time comes but I definitely recommend you check it out!
You can find out more from the Friends website, or the general Museum website.
The summer concert series is on Wednesday nights, check out the schedule here.

Simply Bulk Market

I don't know about you but it bugs me to have to spend oodles of money just to try a new recipe and then end up with a bag full of spices that I may never use again.
The solution to this is the Simply Bulk Market!

King Soopers also has a selection of bulk items but they don't have nearly as much and seem to be more expensive. (I also buy mine from Krishna's in Lafayette, but have yet to compare prices and it's a little bit of a drive if you don't need to go there anyway.)
Both options, however, are MUCH cheaper than buying spices in the bottle.
The Simply Bulk Market has more than just spices....they have snacks, cereals, beans, rice, candy, baking goods, pet food, soap, cleaning solutions, and more.

You can bring your own containers from home, or buy one there to bring back and refill.
Not only do you avoid paying for packaging, you aren't throwing away all that extra in the end.

They also have jewelry and other cute gifts. Something new I saw on my last trip were cute little tshirt bags. How clever! It's a good way to recycle shirts that your kids grew out of before they destroyed them. You can also find them on Etsy, but why pay for shipping when you can get them here?
Visit the Simply Bulk website, or Like them on Facebook to see updates about their items, recipes, events, etc!

La Vita Bella Coffee Etc.

Just across from St. Stephen's Plaza @ 5th & Main

After the increasingly toasty walking tour of Art in Public Places mom and I decided we'd stop in at La Vita Bella Coffee for an iced beverage. Just as we were about to walk in I mentioned something about hoping they had good chai, and this is what greeted me...my lucky day!

This was the first trip for both of us and we both got an iced chai. I got bhakti and mom got regular. Prices are about on par with other places as far as I remember. I only go to local coffee joints so I can't speak for any comparison with Starbucks. The chai was fantastic. Very spiced and gingeriffic.
Our barista was friendly, and from the "hey mom!" I heard I can see it's a family business.

Hey mom!

I'd never been down there before but I really like the big windows with the slight dungeon feel. It's the perfect combination. It seems a little quieter can Ziggy's tends to be, which might be due to it being a little more closed in. It's certainly not handicap accessible! (I have since been corrected, and it is indeed handicapped accessible! They have an elevator in the back and will be posting a sign to notify everyone about it soon. All are welcome at La Vita Bella; thank you for correcting me!) It is in the lower level of the building so you have to take the stairs. Overall a very cozy mellow place. Cool art on the walls, ceramic cups and other items for sale, and comfy chairs.

I also give them points for using eco-friendly cups!
Holy Moly I fell in love with the cinnamon rolls just by looking at them, but I didn't get one. Why?? :(

All the desserts look really amazing but I'll have to try that on my next trip! They even have a gluten-freen option for mom!

You can visit their blog here: http://lavitabellacoffeeetc.blogspot.com/ or find them on Facebook.