Boulder Author Elaine Pease Weaves Magic with History in "Ghost Over Boulder Creek"

“Elaine Pease has written an excellent novel full of ghostly spirits of the past, filled with mystery and Cheyenne trails.”
-Gordon Yellowman, Cheyenne Indian Chief


“When I received this manuscript I just couldn't put it down- it is stories like this that turn kids into readers.”
-Cathy Morrison, illustrator

Author Elaine Pease, a Boulder, Colorado-based author and publisher of children’s fiction educational picture books and middle grade novels recently released Ghost Over Boulder Creek, (Filter Press; October, 2010) an exciting Native American history mystery. It follows a half-Cheyenne, half-white boy, Run Through Fire on his journey with Buffalo Bill to find his father. But ghostly images haunt him and Run Through fears for his life.

Filled with the colorful characters that made up the Westward Movement, Ghost Over Boulder Creek takes young readers back to 1868, when cultures clashed and Manifest Destiny ruled. But one boy defies the odds to save his mother, his people, and prove his bravery as a Cheyenne.

“After Father taken away, the Cheyenne pushed from reservation to reservation. He would not know Tsitsistas in Oklahoma Territory on the Washita.” He wanted to smile confidence but something caught his attention, something that swirled in the dusty sunbeam behind the two men. Was it his spirit guide? Was it a ghost? Then, it disappeared, with a sudden tent rattling breeze, and a moan that could have been the wind but still raised bumps on Run Through Fire’s arms.”

When Run Through Fire’s white father is accused of stealing horses and taken away by white men, Run Through Fire knows he must protect his Cheyenne mother. Though both survive the terrible Washita River Massacre upon their Cheyenne people, they are captured and his mother is sent to prison. General Custer believes Run Through Fire is a captive white boy raised by the Cheyenne. Run Through Fire pretends it’s true to stay alive in the white man’s world and he and Buffalo Bill journey across the Oklahoma plains toward newly settled Boulder in Colorado Territory, to find Run Through Fire’s father. After he arrives in Boulder, ghostly images that have haunted Run Through Fire during his journey, prove to be more than warnings.

Author Elaine Pease is passionate about western history. She wanted to bring it to life for young readers. How, she wondered, could she write about history and also make it an exciting story? When she researched her local Boulder newspaper’s archives, she stumbled upon a real find. In 1867, the local sheriff and deputy reported seeing a ghost by Boulder Creek. The story tied in nicely with the timing of the Washita River Massacre and other important events and people. Weaving fact and fiction, Elaine created a survivor from that massacre—half Cheyenne, half white boy, Run Through Fire.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elaine Pease is the author of two picture books, the sweet and vibrant I’ll Never Leave and her more recent, Even Sharks Need Friends. I’ll Never Leave is the story of Little Leaf, a leaf in springtime that loves her work on the tree, so much, she’s fearful of leaving. Children learn about photosynthesis and nature’s cycle.

Even Sharks Need Friends is the funny and zany story of a hammerhead shark looking for a friend. Hammy the hammerhead is teased and bullied because he’s a big guy. When he meets a little sea urchin, he rejects her because she’s little and wears ugly eyeglasses. Through the adventure, Hammy finally learns good friends can come in small packages. Ms. Pease wrote and illustrated this sparkly, 3-D undersea world. Toddlers through third graders love these bright and boldly illustrated books, filled with fun, educational games.

AREA BOOK SIGNINGS

Sat. Oct. 30, 2010, 12-2pm
GHOST OVER BOULDER CREEK Launch and Uni-Hill Boo'k Fair
Barnes & Noble
2999 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO 303-444-1066

Sun. Oct. 31, 12-1pm
GHOST OVER BOULDER CREEK signing with ghostly treats
Borders
Flatiron Crossing, Broomfield
303-466-4044

Ghost Over Boulder Creek releases October 30, 2010.

All books can be ordered through Books West, 800-378-4188, Baker & Taylor 908-541-7862 or online at www.peasepodbooks.com. “Ghost Over Boulder Creek” can be ordered directly through the publisher Filter Press, 888-570-2663.

MARCH OF DIMES SIGNATURE CHEFS AUCTION OFFERS CHANCE TO SUPPORT HEALTHY MOMS AND BABIES

Tickets on sale for gourmet food tasting and auction

In an average year in Colorado, 70,772 babies are born. Of these, 10,403 are born to moms who receive inadequate prenatal care; 8,580 are born too soon (premature); 6,292 are born too small (low birthweight); and, 416 will die before their first birthday. Improving the odds for moms and babies and helping them be healthy is the mission of the March of Dimes. Right now, Boulder residents can make a delicious difference.

Tickets are on sale for the annual March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction, an evening of gourmet food sampling featuring the area’s top toques as well as music, an inspiring program and an auction of dining, travel, recreation and other packages. On the menu also is a special opportunity to further the cause through Fund the Mission. Signature Chefs Auction will be held on Thursday, October 21 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Omni Interlocken Resort (500 Interlocken Boulevard in Broomfield). Individual seats are $150 and corporate tables (which include ten seats) may be purchased for $2,500. Reservations may be made by calling the March of Dimes at 303-692-0011 or by visiting the website.

Featured chefs are: Samir Aniba–Magnolia; Michael Drazsnzak–Colterra; Fabio Flagiello–Bácaro Venetian Taverna; Chris Hansen–Tahona Tequila Bistro; David Harker–Meritage; Tony Hessel–Brasserie Ten Ten; Matthew Jansen–Radda and Mateo; Eric Johnson–The Greenbriar Inn; Kevin Kidd–Salt; Jaime Martinez–Aji; Marcus McCoy–Restaurant 4580; Laurent Mechin–Jill’s; and, Alexander Porter–Flatz.

Event sponsors include Jackson National Life Insurance Company, the Omni Interlocken Resort; Frederic Printing and the Daily Camera.

Signature Chefs Auction (which has a $150,000 fundraising goal in Boulder) benefits the March of Dimes and its ongoing efforts to help moms and babies be healthy. Through research, services, education and advocacy, the March of Dimes works to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. This year in Colorado, the March of Dimes will fund $2 million in programs. Of every dollar raised by the March of Dimes in Colorado, 87 cents goes toward mission programs.

Three other Colorado communities also are hosting Signature Chefs Auction events in 2010: Colorado Springs (Thursday, October 14), Grand Junction (Saturday, October 23) and Denver (Tuesday, November 9).

About the March of Dimes

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. Learn more about programs and activities in Colorado and get valuable health information by visiting the website.

Cavalia: The New Big Top in Denver?

A Slow Start with a Strong Finish


As I headed toward the white, big top-style tents easily spotted from I-25 in Denver, my curiosity about Cavalia was piqued, to say the least. With its myriad of international performers and more than 60 horses—a good number of them stallions—the show has been touted as “Cirque de Soleil with horses.” The magnificent imagery enveloping the entrance and the enchanting melodies being piped through the tents set the stage for a stunning performance.

To open the show, a solo cellist played as images of spring were projected onto a 70-foot-long screen. The audience was primed to be wowed, yet the first few numbers left much to be desired, despite the rich colors and textures of the set, costumes and projections. Slow moving and with no real cohesiveness, the disjointed acts felt more like vignettes using the horses as props. The show itself felt as if it was holding back.

Things improved after intermission, as if the first half of the show had been a bit of a hustle before the big revelation. Even the simpler numbers, in which the horses almost seemed to be roaming freely, had a completely different feel. Witnessing some of the most spectacular horse breeds, including a variety of Arabians, calmly and naturally interacting on stage with no apparent cues from a trainer, was poetry at its very essence. The magnificence and beauty of the fantastical creatures revealed itself in even the most subtle movements and gestures. Imagine stepping into the enchanted forest of a fairy tale and you will get a sense of this simple yet breathtaking performance. This is what the audience was waiting for, with plenty of aerials and acrobatics coupled with expert lighting and consistently high-quality live music performed behind a scrim. The energy stayed high during what felt like an hour-long (yet very welcome) finale. Horse after horse charged across the stage, and the performers displayed endless energy while doing some truly jaw-dropping tricks. “Cavalia” ended with a bang that kept going for nearly the entire second half of the show.


Even amidst these heart-pumping theatrics, the favorite of the crowd was far and away the “Grande Liberté.” Both the performer and her horses put on a show that was not only artistically innovative but also so highly technical and well-executed that I could have watched an entire program of just her on stage, handling these horses with grace and precision, and the horses' reciprocal elegance and dexterity.


With a running time well over two hours, beginning at 8pm (earlier for the weekend matinees), and fairly high ticket prices (adult tickets range from $34.50 to $189.50), “Cavalia” is definitely an investment. While the higher-priced tickets include extras such as a visit to the stables after the show, going with a more economical ticket might be your best option. For the horses' well-being, no audience member visiting the stables is allowed to pet them. So, although seeing some absolutely beautiful horses is a nice extra, you can still get the full experience while saving a bit of cash.

In a time when movies often miss the mark and live shows repeat permutations of the same old thing, “Cavalia,” even with its slow start, injects much-needed energy into the entertainment scene.

“Cavalia” runs through Sunday, Oct. 17, at the Pepsi Center in Denver. For tickets, visit cavalia.net or call 1-866-999-8111.

New Bosom Buddies Calendar Honors Breast Cancer Awareness Month

A unique and beautiful calendar, featuring 11 breast cancer survivors baring nearly all, is now available at the HealthLinks Foundation website, HealthLinks Clinic and other outlets throughout Boulder.

“We want to raise awareness about breast cancer and celebrate our health, happiness, and hope for the future,” says Valerie Gillon Griffiths, who had the idea to create the Bosom Buddies calendar and is Ms. January.

Every month features a stunning portrait of a survivor naked from the waist up, strategically holding an item that was significant to her during her cancer treatment. Each calendar girl has written or quoted a message of inspiration for the month.

“We hope that the calendar will reassure people currently going through cancer treatment that it is possible to emerge from it all with a healthy body and a healthy sense of fun,” Griffiths says.

Local photographer David Schlatter donated many hours of his time to create the calendar. Proceeds from calendar sales will support HealthLinks Foundation, providing grants to people at HealthLinks Clinic in Boulder who have cancer, Parkinson’s disease or other chronic illnesses.

Founded in 1999 and directed by Trudy Turvey, MSPT, HealthLinks Clinic offers comprehensive services including physical and exercise therapies, nutritional guidance, psychological counseling, massage, yoga and Pilates. The clinic is staffed by five highly trained therapists who provide compassionate, supportive care to many Boulder county residents.

For further information visit the HealthLinks Foundation website, or call 303-443-1937.

"Fall Family Portrait Days" benefit The Community Foundation of Boulder

Need a family portrait? Fall Family Portrait Days are a wonderful opportunity for stunning family portraits, and they benefit The Community Foundation serving Boulder County! Offered by Boulder-based photographer Michelle Maloy Dillon, the donation days are Saturday, Oct. 9, and Sunday, Oct. 17, at outdoor locations in the Boulder area.

Session fees are $65 for 20 minutes and include a customized photo session and a private website of the photos, so that families can place their order for prints or for holiday cards. Session fees will be 100 percent donated to The Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality of life in Boulder County and to build a culture of giving.



"I have worked in the Boulder community for many years taking photos of special events and portraits of kids and families," Dillon says. "I feel honored to have the opportunity to use my photography talent to help such a wonderful nonprofit organization. The Community Foundation is an organization that addresses hundreds of needs throughout Boulder County in the arts, health and human services, the environment and education. Boulder is my home and where I chose to raise my family. It’s important to me to give back to my community.”

Reprints are available after sessions from a set of four wallets for $19 to an 8x10 for $65 and a 20x24 for $219. Custom cards, books and framing are also available. To make an appointment, e-mail michelle@mmdphotography.com or call 303.499.0787.

About Michelle Maloy Dillon Photography

Specializing in people photography in an unobtrusive and photojournalistic style



For nearly 20 years, Michelle Maloy Dillon has been documenting the moments and events of people's lives through the meticulous craft and creative art of photography. Based in Colorado, Michelle is a photojournalistic event and portrait photographer, working in a candid and unobtrusive documentary style. Versatile and experienced at her craft, Michelle is very active in the Boulder and Denver area, shooting portraits on location and in environments where her clients feel comfortable. Although she has shot in the digital format for years, she worked for more than a decade in traditional fine art, black and white film photography, and brings that experience to the pictures she takes.

She has traveled all around the state of Colorado and beyond to photograph weddings, bar mitzvahs, parties and special events and has been awarded The Knot Best of Weddings for the last three years.

Clients include Denver Mayor John W. Hickenlooper and family, former presidential candidate Howard Dean, University of Colorado, BSW Wealth Partners, Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, KGNU Public Radio, Heart Center of the Rockies, National Business Officers Association, Arapahoe/Douglas County Mental Health Network, Starz Entertainment and Sunflower Preschool. For more information and a portfolio visit Michelle Maloy Dillon Photography's website.



About The Community Foundation

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Boulder County and to build a culture of giving. The Foundation is the place where giving is informed and inspired to have the greatest impact on the vision of a better Boulder County. To learn more or make a gift, please visit The Community Foundation’s website or call 303-442-0436.