Features

  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.

Making the perfect pizza crust is a delicate art.

Flour, water, yeast, sugar and salt are the only necessary ingredients, and the perfect combination is crucial. Adding just enough yeast gives the crust a characteristic, mild flavor. Too much yeast will make the crust as bloated as a balloon. And the temperature of the water had better be just right.

It’s a balance South Jeffco’s Bob Bruso knows all too well — because he’s spent decades perfecting it.

If you don’t suffer from migraines, you likely know someone who does. The prevalence of migraine headaches is high, with attacks occurring in 17 percent of women and 6 percent of men each year. Many people with recurrent headaches actually have migraine without realizing it. Migraines are often very debilitating and adversely affect the quality of life of those that suffer from them. Despite this, there are many things that can be done to help treat migraines.

While we’re making plans for the holidays, there are several steps pet owners can take to help ensure that the celebrations are pleasant and safe for furry friends.

Beginning with Thanksgiving and continuing with Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas and New Year celebrations, the holidays are a time for giving and sharing. From holiday decorations to seasonal plants and the stress of guests in your home, your plans for the season should include some thoughtful preparation and sharing with your pets.

  Columbine High School teacher Paula Reed had some issues with Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic novel “The Scarlet Letter.” A 10-year chronological gap in the story prompted a horde of student questions in the two decades Reed has taught the material.

Major activities, accomplishments

  Air Force pilot Jim Walters was flying from Montgomery, Ala., to Panama City, Fla., when all four radios on his plane short-circuited. The rain was pouring, and a dense fog obscured the land below.

“There we were with 40 minutes of fuel left about 20 miles from an airport that’s fogged in,” he said. “That was probably as close as I ever came to jumping out of (an airplane) and having to explain to the colonel why I just crashed a multimillion-dollar jet for being an idiot and flying in the rain.”