The reincarnation of the Rocky Mountain Literary Festival is especially notable this coming month alongside the tradition of Habitat’s Hard Hats & High Heels, in support of accessible housing, and the Conifer Chamber’s Mountain Wellness Fair, which gives attendees the opportunity to focus on both physical and mental health. These events provide motivation for living a more inspired and meaningful life. Perhaps it’s a good time to explore and elevate our sense of wellbeing.
Wild & Well Mountain Wellness Fair in Conifer Promotes Good Health
The Conifer Chamber is hosting the Wild & Well Mountain Wellness Fair on August 29 from 10 am-3:30 pm outside Our Lady of the Pines parish hall, 9444 Eagle Cliff Road in Conifer. A free health and wellness event, the fair is designed to give attendees practical tools, resources and experiences to support physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. This comprehensive full-day program brings together skilled practitioners, healthcare providers, and wellness experts for hands-on learning and professional guidance across a variety of disciplines.
Participants can choose from a robust schedule of interactive workshops and live demonstrations covering topics such as fitness, stress management, nutrition, mindfulness, and holistic health practices. From yoga flows and guided meditation to herbal remedy preparation and performance coaching, the sessions are designed to provide both education and actionable takeaways. For more details, visit goconifer.com.
World Affairs Council Launches New Season of Speakers
The Colorado Foothills World Affairs Council has announced its new season of presentations, beginning September 16 at 7 pm, with General George W. Casey Jr. discussing America’s role in the Middle East. A retired 4-star general, he commanded the Multi-National Force–Iraq from 2004 to 2007 during the height of the Iraq War. He later served as the 36th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, overseeing 1.1 million soldiers during a period of sustained military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, General Casey teaches international relations at the University of Denver’s Korbel School, as well as leadership at Cornell University.
The Council’s free, public programs are held monthly from September through May at Mount Vernon Canyon Club, 24933 Club House Circle in Golden. For more information, go to coloradofoothillswac.org.
Hard Hats & High Heels Hosts Fundraiser for Affordable Housing
On Wednesday, September 23, Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity will host its annual Hard Hats & High Heels fundraiser at Evergreen Lake House beginning at 6 pm. This evening brings together community leaders, local businesses and residents to raise essential funds for homebuilding efforts in Idaho Springs, Evergreen, Conifer, and other nearby areas. For more than 35 years, Habitat’s projects have provided safe, stable and affordable housing to enable our mountain families to thrive.
A ticket to the fundraiser includes complimentary beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks, food and live music. Silent and live auctions will feature travel experiences and local products. Tickets are $125 for an individual, $225 for couples and $800 for a table of eight. For tickets and more details, go to [email protected].
A New Edition of the Rocky Mountain Literary Festival Comes to CAE
Originally launched in 2014 as the Rocky Mountain Literary Festival, Mountain Stories is a reimagined gathering hosted by Center for the Arts Evergreen (CAE) and the Jefferson County Library Foundation. The program will bring readers, writers and curious minds together through shared stories and meaningful connections. Colorado authors will be available to discuss their writing and engage with attendees in the intimate setting of CAE.
Featured authors are:
• Crisosto Apache: Colorado’s 2026-2027 Poet Laureate, and award-winning poet, educator and advocate for Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer communities. A Pushcart Prize nominee and associate professor at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, Apache is the author of “Ghostword” and “is(ness)” and a recipient of the Lucas Artists Fellowship.
• Megan Freeman: a New York Times bestselling Colorado author, award-winning poet, and longtime educator, best known for the acclaimed novels “Alone” and “Away.” A Colorado Book Award winner and nationally recognized speaker, she has spent decades inspiring readers and writers of all ages. Her new, young adult novel, “The Secret to Belonging,” will be published in 2026.
• Adrian Miller: a two-time James Beard Award-winning culinary author based in Denver, whose work explores African American and presidential foodways. A former White House staffer, Miller brings history to life through engaging storytelling. His latest book, “Cooking to the President’s Taste,” was published in 2025.
• Jenny Shank: Her story collection, “Mixed Company,” won the George Garrett Fiction prize and the Colorado Book Award, and her novel, “The Ringer,” won the High Plains Book Award. Jenny’s work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Los Angeles Times, Prairie Schooner, Missouri Review, and McSweeney’s.
The festival begins Friday evening with an “author happy hour,” where ticketholders can mingle with writers in a relaxed setting with drinks and light appetizers. Saturday’s program runs from 9:15 am-2:40 pm featuring author presentations and a boxed lunch. At the conclusion of the agenda, attendees can meet the authors and have their purchased books signed. Ticket options include a $75 VIP combo ticket providing access to both days’ activities, a Friday happy hour ticket for $50, and a Saturday-only ticket for $40. Go to evergreenarts.org
Evergreen Conservatory Shares Fall Program Update
The Evergreen Conservatory of Music is gearing up for a full fall of music programming. The Conservatory maintains ongoing partnerships with the Music Teachers National Association, the American String Teachers Association, and the Suzuki Association. Students have a new option to pursue certification by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, an internationally recognized testing system used in more than 90 countries.
Upcoming opportunities for the fall include the free Kindermusik Foundation program for newborns to 18 months of age, early childhood offerings, which now include Little Violin Virtuosos on violin, group string classes, individual, college-prep level piano lessons, and a rock band program that emphasizes the complementary nature of classical music and rock and roll. The jazz program continues to give musicians of all levels the chance to learn improvisation and jazz repertoire in a small-group, mentor-guided setting with professional working musicians, with separate youth and adult ensembles meeting weekly. To learn more, go to evergreenconservatory.com
