Down to earth
Palmer Land Trust
Since 1977, this local nonprofit based out of Colorado Springs, has protected nearly 70,000 acres of scenic open space, recreational areas and agricultural landscapes in southeastern Colorado and the Pikes Peak region. Some lands are public open spaces that have likely seen your footprints: Red Rock Canyon, Stratton Open Space and Paint Mines Interpretive Park. Others are private farms and ranches that you've passed in your travels - productive agricultural lands that shelter scenic view corridors, protect critical wildlife habitat, or offer a tangible connection to Colorado's past.
Red Rock Canyon Open Space
This 787-acre public amenity that is owned and maintained by the City of Colorado Springs, was purchased in 2003. The preservation of the Red Rock Canyon was made possible through numerous partnerships and widespread community support. The majority of Red Rock Canyon remains in a natural state, offering unique opportunities to view geologic formations, natural plant communities, abundant wildlife, and impressive vistas of the surrounding foothills - including marvelous views of Garden of the Gods. Palmer Land Trust holds a conservation easement on a majority of the property.
www.PalmerLandTrust.org
Give green for green Make a donation at www.PalmerLandTrust.org in the name of a business, friend or loved one this Christmas.
Live potted Christmas trees: The gift that keeps giving Pictured here is a #15 Container Colorado Blue Spruce. Special price for Christmas: $129. Harding Nursery 721 N. Powers Blvd. 719-596-5712 www.HardingNursery.com
Everybody's doing it. Going green, that is. The environment, thankfully, is in and this holiday season, you don't have to be an econut to enjoy gifts that are both thoughtfully produced and refreshingly practical. More, they're cute, to boot. Long gone is the mentality that it has to look bad to be good. Attractive bags, apparel, toys and accessories are easy to find and won't break the budget. Check out some of this year's eco-friendly offerings and get giving.
The Big Give
Your kids will think you're the coolest parents around when you give them the Powerwing ($129.99, Razor). It's an easy-tomaneuver, three-wheeled scooter that uses the power of side-to-side motion (not gas) to move forward. For those not so scooter-savvy, that means it allows turning, drifting and acceleration without ever having to push. It also can do 360 degree spins. The Powerwing is available for kids age 5 and up.
Scooters aren't just for kids, though this one is just for adults. The Vespa LX 50 is a sweet, affordable ride. Mileage may vary, but a gallon of gas will get you roughly 70 to 80 miles. Yes, that's per gallon. With an ergonomically designed seat that makes riding comfortable, it's perfect for commuting and running those weekend errands. You can cruise up to 39 miles per hour. For speed demons, the LX 150 edition clocks in at about 59 miles per hour. MSRP is $3,299 for the LX 50 and $4,399 for the LX 150. free lamination on recycled paper. The games are made with formaldehyde-free glues, chemical-free wood and bamboo ($19.95, Beyond Learning).
Idbids are plush characters that show children the "iddy biddy" steps they can take to improve the planet's health. There's Scout, the fluffy white cloud; Lola, the pink flower; and Waverly, the bright blue water drop. Each character is made with 100-percent organically grown Egyptian cotton. The Idbids Ecofriendly Starter Kit ($39.99) comes with one of the characters, an organic fabric cinch sack, a storybook and field guide printed on recycled paper with eco-friendly inks.
On the Table
Whether you're into green or not, you'll like giving, and would probably prefer getting, these spirits. From top left, Bonterra Chardonney, Bonterra Vineyards, $10.99. Barrelaging in handcrafted French and American oak accentuates the distinctive apple-citrus
flavors in this elegant Chardonney. This organically grown chardonnay benefits from the hospitable climate of Mendocino County in the development of perfectly ripe, flavorful grapes. Orleans Hill Cote Zero, Orleans Hill Winery, $9.49. Cote Zero is a composite of Grenache, Syrah and a bit of Voigner to round out the Rhone backbone. Sulfite free, certified organic. Samuel Smiths Organic Cider, Samuel Smith Old Brewery, $3.99. Bright straw-gold with excellent clarity, Samuel Smith's Organic Cider has a light body, with brilliant conditioning, a crisp clean flavor and a dry finish. The bouquet is fresh apples, with a soft floral note. Ciders are refreshing, clean and festive; they are also high in natural antioxidants and are gluten-free. Samuel Smith's Organic Cider is UK soils Association & USDA Certified Organic. Frambozen Raspberry Brown Ale, New Belgium Brewery, $9.39. Frambozen, Flemish for "raspberry," is a big, luscious celebration of the ruby red fruit found in Belgium's Framboise ales. This is a seasonal product for the holidays from this Fort Collins Brewery. New Belgium is one of the only true "green" breweries in America and is the first wind-powered brewery. Prairie Organic Vodka, Ed Phillips and Sons, $23.99. Smooth with hints of melon and pear on the nose, creaminess on the palate and a bright, smooth finiss. Prairie begins with #2 yellow corn raised by the farmers who own the distillery. No genetically modified seeds, weed controllers or pesticides are used in this product. Rain Organics Vodka, Sazerac Co. $20.99. Rain is handmade from organic white corn and is distilled seven times for exceptional taste and smoothness. Rain is all-natural organic vodka. All courtesy of Cheers Liquor Mart at 1105 N. Circle Drive, 719-574-2244.
