Today's Features

Once upon a time, there was a talented group of 58 singers and dancers, a sprinkle of colorful costumes, and a large helping of Stephen Sondheim’s challenging score. This is the recipe for happily-ever-after when the Colorado Children’s Theatre presents “Into the Woods, Jr.,” opening on May 1.

  Ashley Bissel is staring at the ceiling, trying to think of butterflies.

She lies on a platform, her head held motionless by a white mesh mask that looks like a prop from a low-budget sci-fi movie. Technicians in white coats circulate around a sparse room and prepare equipment, as her mother cradles her hand.

Then the time comes for everyone to leave — everyone except Ashley, who raises her fist. In it is a novelty foam brain, which she gives a pronounced squeeze. The symbolism is lost on no one.

  Thriftiness and space exploration may not seem like words that rest well in the same sentence, but a visit to education entrepreneur Mark Palmere’s summer camp might cause one to reconsider that notion.

At Space Voyage Academy, which is not affiliated with NASA, students ages 5 to 16 combat summer brain degradation with flight simulations on antiquated computers and exploration in inflatable space vehicles crafted of sheet plastic and duct tape.

One of mountaineering’s rock stars, who is famous for summiting the world’s 14 highest peaks without supplemental oxygen, recently shared the secret of surviving 32 years of exploring some of the most dangerous terrain on Earth.

“You have to be cautious, train right and listen to the mountains,” Ed Viesturs told a sold-out audience of 150 at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden on April 10.