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Running Shoes Review: Topo Ultraventure 3

topo ultraventure

Fast Facts

  • Classification: Trail Shoe
  • Drop: 5 mm
  • Stack Height: 35mm (heel), 30mm (forefoot)
  • Weight: 10.2 oz
  • Neutral or Stability: Neutral

Looking for a high cushioned trail running shoe? Having worn Topo Ultraventure 3 for the past several months, it’s time to share my thoughts on Topo Ultraventure 3.

A Little Context

topo shoes

All Topo Athletic shoes, whether road or trail, have the following features:

  • a natural shaped toe box, like Altra running shoes
  • a lower heel to toe drop (0-5mm)
  • secure mid-foot and heel

In 2020, I was first introduced to Topo Athletic Shoes when I first tried on the Topo Phantom. It was love at first fit. While I have medium (B width) feet, I’ve always preferred more room for my toes. And Topo shoes provide plenty of wiggle room.

This year (2024), I got try Topo trail shoes for the first time, the Topo Mtn Racer and Topo Ultraventure. The former is minimally cushioned trail runner, while the latter is a plush, high cushioned trail shoe. According to topoathletic.com, Ultraventure 3 is “our cushioned trail runner and hiker, built for mild to moderate terrain.” Do I agree with this description? Let’s take a further look at Ultraventure 3 to find out.

topo ultraventure

Sizing, Fit, and Feel

Sizing and Fit: Ultraventure 3’s natural shaped toe box is ideal if you have wider feet, or just prefer more room. I typically wear an 8 to 8.5 women’s medium width shoe, and find the size 8 is a comfortable, true to size fit.

If you’re familiar with Altra running shoes, you may be wondering, so what’s the difference with Topo shoes? What I prefer about Topo over Altra is that Topo shoes offer a secure mid-foot and heel. In other words, Topo shoes hugs the mid-foot and heel better, whereas I find some Altra shoes too wide in the back half of the shoe. I need space around my toes, not in the rest of shoe, and Topo (for my feet) strikes the right balance of roomy toe box but secure fitting shoe.

Midsole: Compared to prior Ultraventure models, Ultraventure 3 has increased stack (footwear speak for thickness) height. According to topoathletic.com, the midsole cushion is comprised of “updated ZipFoamâ„¢ compound” to provide “a lighter, softer, and more responsive underfoot experience.” With a stack heigh of 30 mm at the forefoot and 35 mm at the heel, the Ultraventure series is the highest cushioned Topo trail shoe.

Feel wise, Ultraventure 3 provides a high cushion platform with the right amount of firmness with just a little give—comparable to Saucony Xodus Ultra 3, another high cushion trail runner.

topo trail shoes
Vibram outsole.

Outsole: The outsole features Vibram® XS Trek EVO outsole, with “a newly refined design, offering lightweight durability with increased flexibility.” Vibram outsole, which is extra grippy rubber, is hands down the best outsole material you’ll find on shoes. Tread wise, this shoe has rectangular shaped lugs that offer superior grip.

Ultraventure 3 features a 5 mm drop. All Topo shoes have their drop height labeled on the heel.

Drop: Ultraventure 3 has 5 mm drop. Drop is the difference, or offset, from the height at the heel versus the toe. The idea with a low to medium drop is to decrease the amount of pressure on the forefoot. Ultraventure 3’s drop is comparable to Hoka Speedgoat’s 4 mm drop.

Upper: As for the upper, the material is “sustainable engineered mesh upper, recycling 3 plastic bottles per pair.” Pretty neat! Engineered mesh is ideal for ventilation, and on this shoe does not interfere with fit. In other words, the mesh does not press upon the toes or cause pressure points on the feet.

Heel Cuff: The heel cuff is moderately cushioned and on my feet, is a comforatble fit (no discomfort or chafing along the back of the heels or Achilles tendons.)

Classification: Trail runners are typically neutral (shoes that do not provide a medial support to counteract pronation, or inward rotation of the ankles). As a neutral shoe, Topo Ultraventure 3’s cushioning is the same density throughout the midsole. If lack of support is a concern, I recommend wearing inserts (Currex Run Pro are my personal favorites) for added support and customized fit.

Topo Ultraventure 3 is a neutral shoe.

On the Run: How Does Ultraventure 3 Perform?

The longest I ran in this shoe was 3 miles. For transparency, I typically avoid high stacked shoes for running (so no Hokas for me). So, while I find the Ultraventure is too much cushion to run in for me, if you prefer more cushion, this shoe provides enough plushness and responsiveness, like the Saucony Xodus Ultra 3.

My initial impressions during that short run were how stable I felt in the shoe, given the wider base, and how comfortable my toes felt–no chafing or pinching. While I did feel disconnected from feeling the ground, if you love running in a platform type of cushioned shoe, I highly recommend Topo Ultraventure 3. I can easily imagine this shoe as a solid option for longer trail runs, trail racing, and even trail ultras, given the amount of cushion.

As a hiking shoe, this is where Ultraventure 3 shines for those of us who don’t run in high cushion. I hiked throughout this past summer, my longest trek 9 miles. And Topo Ultraventure 3 performed beautifully on each of those adventures. The toe box allowed my toes to naturally splay (as toes should!)

Ultraventure 3’s wide outsole provides a stabilizing effect.

How’s the support on long hikes? Even without medial structure built in, Ultraventure’s wider base provides a stabilizing effect, as there is more surface contact with the ground with the outsole. My left ankle rolls in quite noticeably (even non-runners have asked, “What’s going with that ankle?”), and yet my ankles never felt fatigued at hike’s end.

As for the drop, I love running in 3-5 mm offsets. Mid to lower drop is the sweet spot for my feet. In this shoe, I noticed less pressure on my forefoot and toes, and as a result, a more natural gait cycle. If you’re wanting to try a lower drop but aren’t ready for zero drop shoes (such as Altra footwear), Topo shoes are a perfect option, as they offer several shoes in 3-5 mm offsets.

The combination of Vibram outsole and lugs is perfect traction for mild and moderate terrain. Even on slick sandy spots this shoe proved quite grippy. And on a separate note, I have to say I absolutely love the blue shade of this shoe. 🙂

Final Thoughts

My verdict: Topo’s description of the Ultraventure 3 as a “cushioned trail runner and hiker, built for mild to moderate terrain” is spot on. This shoe truly is ideal for trail runners and also performs beautifully as a hiking shoe. The roomy toe box accommodates wider feet, while the 5 mm drop is a great option for those wanting to try a lower drop. The amount of cushion is also perfect for longer trail runs and races.

Topo Ultraventure 3 is available in several colors in both men’s and women’s, and while typically retails at $150, is now on sale. So snap ’em up while you can, and take Ultraventure 3 for a spin on your favorite trails.

~LMC

*Disclaimer: I am in no way sponsored, paid by, or affiliated with the brands/ items reviewed in this post. I write simply to inform other runners like myself of products that may interest them.

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Armistice Day Reading: The Great Silence by Juliet Nicolson & Fall of Poppies Book Reviews

“On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month…”

106 years ago the world celebrated the end of what was then known as The Great War. Known to Americans as Veterans Day, the 11th of November is forever remembered over a century later. Commemorated in Britain, France and Belgium as Armistice Day, and as Remembrance Day in Commonwealth countries, this day honors those who gave their lives in service for their country. Lest we forget…

Here are two books that explore the events of November 11th, 1918, and moreover the aftereffects of The Great War, “the war to end all wars.”

Non-Fiction

The Great Silence: Britain from the Shadow of the First World War to the Dawn of the Jazz Age by Juliet Nicolson

the great silence by juliet nicolson

This book is an-depth examination of Great Britain’s society and culture the two years immediately following the end of The Great War.

An incredibly detailed social history, The Great Silence recounts the various lives of those who experienced the First World War, as well as the greater psychological state of post-war Britain. The book progresses chronologically by season, starting with the Armistice, and ending in November 1920. With each chapter named after an emotion, (Shock, Denial, Anger, etc.), Nicolson traces the myriad of emotions British individuals experienced after the war’s conclusion.

Being a century removed from November 11th, 1918, today’s readers learn how that day, while joyful for so many, was agonizing for many more–while the war was finally over, that day could not bring back the countless dead. How was the country to cope with the Great Silence–the vacuum of grief stemming from the loss of countless young men? Nicolson’s book explores society’s answers to this question.

Relying on a wealth of contemporary resources (newspapers, journals, memoirs, etc.), Nicolson examines the many reactions to the war’s end, and its greater repercussions, from every level of society. Voices from factory workers, the bourgeoning middle class, to the day’s reigning socialites, create a dynamic portrait of Britain’s rigid yet crumbling class system. No one, no matter how storied, powerful, or isolated they were, was immune from the effects of the war.

Yet there is hope. In the years following the war, women won the right to vote, and young people flocked to jazz clubs and dance halls to ease their grief. From the physical scars of returning soldiers (Nicolson details how modern plastic surgery stemmed from the war), the Spanish Flu pandemic, to a country steeped in mass employment, readers are transported to a turbulent time.

world war one

Just as silence marked the war’s end, silence concludes with the book’s end–the moving burial ceremony of the Unknown Warrior on November 11th, 1920 at Westminster Abbey. An unidentified British soldier “precious in life only to a handful,” but in death providing “the emotional focus of millions,” serves as a much needed symbolic closure for a grieving public. Having viewed the tomb of the Unknown Warrior in 2005, I can attest to how moving this grave is, the unknown man who, per the inscription, “gave the most man can give[,] life itself.”

Both scholars and history buffs alike will appreciate the amount of detail Nicolson packs into each chapter. If you’re looking more for an introductory history to the First World War and post-war era, you may find Nicolson’s prose intense and too detail laden. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I’ve always been intrigued by early 20th century Great Britain. I deeply appreciate how Nicolson wove so many recollections from all classes and ages, male and female, to craft a stunning historical narrative.

While the subject matter is certainly grim, the book truly highlights the tenacity of British character. The Great Silence leaves readers all the more reverent to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, while also feeling more empathetic to those survived such conflict and social upheaval. May we never forget them.

The Great Silence: Britain from the Shadow of the First World War to the Dawn of the Jazz Age by Juliet Nicolson, Grove Press, 2009, 302 pages.

Fiction

Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and The Great War

fall of poppies

This short story collection features nine stories from top historical fiction authors, such as Jessica Brockmole, Hazel Gaynor, Lauren Willig, and more. The kernel is each story is November 11th, 1918: the end of The Great War. Survivors everywhere are grappling with grief over the loss of their loved ones. As families reunite and the world slowly recovers from the wounds of war, there is hope. Each story is distinct from one another and presents a wide array of characters, men and women, and how the war’s end brings them together, or apart.

My particular favorites are “Something Worth Landing For,” by Jessica Brockmole, and “Hour of the Bells,” by Heather Webb. The former features a hilarious, self-deprecating protagonist, while the latter shows the depths of a mother’s love.

As the majority of the key characters are women, the collection doesn’t focus on wartime experiences in the trenches. Rather, this anthology presents the wartime experiences of living at the war’s edge–the terror of unknowing, the utter grief of loss, joy and relief once the battlegrounds are silent.

As an historical fiction anthology, the stories do not fall under the category of true romance (in other words, there are no graphic sex scenes or constant sexual innuendo). Rather, the stories showcase the interactions between men and women accepting the end of the war, dealing with emotional trauma, while also finding reasons for hope. If you enjoy historical fiction and/ or short fiction, I recommend this anthology. These thought provoking stories restore humanity to those who, over a century ago, “lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,” and saw “fields [where] the poppies blow,” in the words of John McCrea’s famous 1915 wartime poem, “In Flanders Fields.”

A Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and The Great War, various authors, William Morrow, 2019, 357 pages.

~LMC

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First Impressions: Hoka Mach X

mach x

Fast Facts

  • Classification: Trainer
  • Drop: 5 mm
  • Stack Height: 39 mm in heel, 34 mm in forefoot (men’s), 37 mm in heel, 32 mm in forefoot (women’s)
  • Weight: 9.40 oz
  • Stability: Neutral

Looking for a speedy, high cushioned training shoe? Take a look at Hoka’s Mach X.

According to hoka.com, the Mach X is “a cross [of] the comfort and support of the Mach with a propulsive Pebax® plate.”

For those unfamiliar with the simple Mach, this shoe is a high-cushioned yet streamlined, responsive trainer from Hoka. Unlike the Mach, the Mach X is a plated shoe.

A plate within a shoe is meant to provide propulsion and durability. As Hoka’s Mach series is aimed at speedwork and training, the Mach X is specifically intended for speedier training runs, or for anyone simply wanting to run faster.

A Little Context

I’ll be honest: high cushioned shoes aren’t my thing, and this isn’t for lack of trying. Working in running specialty, I’ve demoed and tried on plenty of Hokas. It’s just that I naturally prefer less cushion to run on. For example, my usual go to shoes are mid-cushioned models such as the New Balance 880, or low cushioned shoes like Topo Fly-Lite and Topo Mountain Racer. However, as a running nerd I am always open to trying different brands and new shoes, and putting them through their paces (pun intended).

Let’s share my first impressions of running in Hoka Mach X!

Mach X is a speedy shoe.

Sizing, Fit, and Feel

Mach X has a more streamlined appearance, especially when compared to Hoka Clifton and Hoka Bondi. The tongue is flat and the shoe has a rocker profile (toes and heels angled up) to provide a smoother heel to toe transition when walking and running.

As a trainer, Mach X has a slightly narrower fit, noticeable in the toe box. For reference, I typically wear a women’s 8 to 8.5 medium in most running shoes. As several Hoka shoes tend to run long, I opted to wear a women’s size 8 medium. If you prefer/ require a roomier toe box or shoe overall, such as Hoka Bondi 6, you may find Mach X runs a bit too snug in the width.

The midsole cushion is comprised of ProFly X, “a special combination of foams, employed with our trademark geometry,” according to hoka.com, and highly resilient PEBA foam (a high performance foam consisting of polyether block amide). In fact, the PEBA foam used in Mach X is 34% more resilient than the Carbon X, another plated Hoka shoe.

Hoka Mach X’s neon green Pebax plate is visible on the underside of the shoe.

Cushion wise, this shoe provides a firmer feel, given the Pebax plate. This was my first time ever running in a plated road shoe, and as a result of the plate, I found Mach X to be the firmest Hoka I’ve ever run in.

But don’t worry–firmness doesn’t mean this shoe lacks cushion. Afterall, what would a Hoka shoe be without cushion? Mach X has a stack height (midsole thickness) of 39 mm in heel and 34 mm in forefoot for men’s, and 37 mm in heel and 32 mm in forefoot for women’s.

As a neutral shoe, Hoka Mach X does not provide a medial support to counteract pronation (inward rotation of the ankles). If lack of support is a concern, I recommend wearing inserts (Currex Run Pro are my personal favorites) for added support and customized fit.

The upper (material) of the shoe is composed of Creel jacquard upper, a firmer and more durable material than traditional mesh uppers. The heel cuff has moderate cushioning and hugs the heels nicely–I noticed no pressure points or chafing.

On the Run: How Does the Mach X Perform?

I ran a fast (for me) mile and a half in these shoes, averaging a 8.9 mile pace. My first impression was how snappy this shoe was. In other words, I could feel the combination of the Pebax plate and the rocker profile propelling me forward.

How’s the support? As mentioned above, Mach X is a neutral shoe. For context, I pronate heavily, especially on my left foot. I ran without inserts, so I had nothing to lift and support my arches. However, I found that the firmness of the shoe provided enough support and structure for me.

Mach X features a very firm cushioned midsole.

As with most Hokas, Mach X is entirely rigid throughout the midsole, making it an ideal shoe if you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis. *Hot tip: if you’re currently dealing with plantar fasciitis, remember this rule: avoid all flimsy footwear. If you can bend or twist your shoe in half, stop wearing it and get a rigid shoe ASAP.

I liked the firmness of the cushion, and believe with repeated miles the shoes will mold more to your feet. The jacquard upper I found to be a little too stiff and a little snug on the tops of my toes, but with repeated wear should soften.

While I still found the cushion level to be too much for me, if you love Hokas and high cushioned shoes overall, Mach X is a nice addition to your running shoes collection.

Final Thoughts

My verdict: Hoka Mach X is ideal for speed workouts, but can also be used for longer runs as well. The rigid midsole provides adequate support, while the Pebax plate and rocker profile aid in faster running times.

Hoka Mach X is available in several colors in both men’s and women’s, and retails at $180.

*Disclaimer: I am in no way sponsored, paid by, or affiliated with the brands/ items reviewed in this post. I write simply to inform other runners like myself of products that may interest them.

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Remembering Romeo

“Roam:” the perfect theme song for Romeo!

Today is National Cat Day, and I want to pay tribute to a special feline.

Earlier this year I lost my friend Romeo–RoMEOW, Studster Cat, THE Roamster–who passed away unexpectedly.

Neighborhood greeting committee: the first time I met Romeo.

As would luck would have it, my neighborhood had not one, not two, but three outdoor cats. I loved all of them, but by far my favorite was Romeo, the coolest cat in the entire town.

An utterly beautiful, striking orange tabby, Romeo was the first to greet me, my first acquaintance on the street. He made me feel at home. He was king of the neighborhood, and his name couldn’t have been more perfect: Romeo, a real life charmer who stole everyone’s heart. A true Puss in Boots!

The real life Puss in Boots.

Romeo’s owners lived across the way, and let him roam wherever and whenever he wanted. Blazing Western CO summer heat? A sudden cold snap? Romeo would be out and about, exploring, climbing, and chilling with the neighbors. Everyone loved him.

If Romeo were a Beanie Baby.

As a cat person, I especially adored Romeo. He was a specimen—a large, muscular cat with the healthiest short hair coat. I often joked he liked to lift, as he was so healthy and brawny for a feline. It didn’t matter where he wandered; he was always immaculately clean.

I always enjoyed his visits. I loved announcing in the silliest voice, “Romeo, oh Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” And sure enough, more often than not he heeded my call and bounded out of the bushes. Countless times he’d be waiting at the curb when I arrived home from work—a real gentleman.

Such a handsome fellow.

What I especially loved about this amazing creature was that he just wanted to enjoy my company. Though I always had treats on hand, oftentimes he’d bypass the food and went straight to sitting with me. A cat of very few meows (he meowed only 5-6 times in the years I knew him), he calmly surveyed his domain, his tail gently swaying.

I will forever miss his calming presence. Whenever I was writing away or studying, Romeo was often nearby, supporting my endeavors. Here are some of my favorite Romeo moments:

  • Attempting to sneak a bite out of someone’s lunch in the back of their pickup truck
  • Inspecting my car (climbing the seats and dash)
  • Scaling the sky high new house behind the property
  • Sheltering at my place whenever it rained
  • “Breaking into” neighbors homes and the second floor
  • Inspecting the beds of pickup trucks parked on the street
  • Sitting directly under my chair as I worked/ studied
The gang’s all here. As my best friend joked, “You manifested all these cats!”

And of course, watching Romeo interact with fellow outdoor felines Mochi and Bob Ross was always a laugh. If Romeo was the silent jock, Mochi was the class clown/ social butterfly and Bob Ross the lovable spazz. And to his credit, Romeo patiently tolerated the high energy antics of the wannabe BROmeos. Since Romeo’s passing, Mochi has some big shoes to fill.

Thank you Romeo for your friendship. I will forever miss seeing you stroll down the street, then bounding my way whenever you spotted me, tail high, whiskers forward, a happy fellow. Just as you roamed the neighborhood, may you forever explore the heavens.

LONG MAY YOU ROAM!

–LMC

These stairs are forever Romeo’s stoop.
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Happy 50th Birthday Kelli Ali!

“She’s wet and wild

A typical 90s child”

–“Post Modern Sleaze,” Becoming X, Sneaker Pimps

“Generation X

Is doing fine

We don’t care what’s next

We just wanna blow our minds”

–“Ideal,” Psychic Cat, Kelli Ali

Happy 50th Birthday to one of my heroes, singer and songwriter, Kelli Ali, aka Kelli Dayton!

Best known as the vocalist of the Sneaker Pimps first album Becoming X, I was 9 when I first heard Kelli’s distinct voice on the band’s most famous single, “6 Underground.”

When I first watched the music video for 6 Underground, I wouldn’t be the only one intrigued by the tiny girl sitting in a revolving dentist chair. Spiky haired, crimson lips, and with vampire fangs to boot, one muses, who is this girl? This vampy punk who oozes sex appeal with the sultry vocals to match?

Discovering Becoming X

Becoming X still sounds far more fresh and original than any music produced today. Not an exaggeration when I say I listen to songs from this album daily.

My Dad, a true David Bowie aficionado, would always play music while working from his at home office. I always loved whatever he listened to, which were usually soothing instrumental pieces.

When he started playing an album I’d never heard before–spacey electronic mixed with hip hop beats, paired with a girlish, elastic, pixie-like, soothing yet sultry voice –I’d just discovered Becoming X, Sneaker Pimp’s most successful album, in my humble opinion.

I asked my Dad about the band and the singer. He told me Sneaker Pimps were from England and the singer’s name was Kelli Ali. Looking at the liner notes, I saw Kelli for the first time–a girl with short black hair and red lipstick. I’d just discovered not just one of my all time favorite albums, but one of my heroes.

US Becoming X Tour, 1997. Image from kellialiofficial Instagram.

Dazed Magazine interview, 24 September 1996

I did more research and discovered a real punk–a badass, mixed-raced girl who dropped out of school at 14 to pursue music, singing and songwriting for bands in her hometown of Birmingham, UK. From the beginning, music was always central in Kelli’s life, as she grew up listening to David Bowie and X-Ray Spex (there’s no doubt Kelli is inspired by punk vocalist Poly Styrene). In 1996, she was asked by trip hop band Sneaker Pimps to be the lead vocalist for their upcoming album, Becoming X.

I’m certainly no punk myself, but I’ve always related to Kelli as I’m mixed race as well (Filipina-English), with my Dad’s side hailing from England (my Dad is first generation American and his parents are from London). And I’ve always admired Kelli’s aesthetic. In fact, my cat eyeliner and red lip gloss/ lipstick look I rocked in high school and college were directly inspired by Kelli. 🙂

“And they’ve got the diminutive, drop-dead unconventionally gorgeous, heavily Brum accented, Goth eyelinered and recently cropped n’ bleached 22 year old Kelli Dayton, a singer with the voice of Billie Holliday taking lessons from John Lydon.”

–I.D, Magazine interview, January 1997

Upon discovering Becoming X, I was so excited to follow up listening to Sneaker Pimps other work. After all, Becoming X was commercially successful in the UK, with “6 Underground” and “Spin Spin Sugar” hitting the US airwaves, and the band toured both the UK and US. Though my Dad and I were several years late to discovering Becoming X, we were more than eager to listen to the Pimps latest works.

Alas, what disappointment for the both of us, and Sneaker Pimps fans all over, to learn that Kelli was sacked (British slang for fired) from the band. What madness! To this day, I’m still angry the band rid itself of its secret weapon, its element X, the voice that made the music.

Dazed Magazine interview, 1996. Kelli with fellow Sneaker Pimps Liam Howe (left) and Chris Corner (right). Howe and Liam are incredibly talented musicians, but were envious of Kelli’s popularity.

The Infinite Stars

But enough has already been written and argued over the moronic sacking of Kelli. What makes Kelli all the more badass is her journey as a solo artist. After riding the short but bittersweet success as Sneaker Pimps vocalist, Kelli was suddenly without a band and without a contract. This was the late ’90s, before streaming, so having to leverage your music and artistry was all the more challenging.

It wasn’t easy, but the tenacious Ms. Ali eventually released several solo albums, my favorites being:

Tigermouth (2003) – R&B fused electro/ dance pop. My high school jam! Take me to the Infinite Stars!

Psychic Cat (2004) – Psychedelic rock and electro-pop. College anthems.

Rocking Horse (2008) – Psychedelic folk and dream pop. Another high school soundtrack. Proud to say I have a personalized autographed album from Kelli. 🙂

More than 25+ years after Sneaker Pimps shot themselves in the foot (pun intended), Kelli is still producing music. In addition to her singing and music production talents, Kelli is now also an accomplished oil painter. You can view her multitude of works at her Instagram, @kellialiofficial. She also wrote an e-book, The Modern Day Recording Artist: A DIY Guide to making and releasing your own record.

Nah, Kelli, we still love you.

Kelli, thank you for your brilliant voice and music! I will forever appreciate your individuality, determination, and creative spirit! Cheers to a wonderful day.

Just as your iconic tattoo states: VIVE LA ROCK N’ ROLL!

~LMC

Gen X are a different breed entirely…take me back to the 90s!

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A Tale of Two Bowie T-Shirts

These 2 David Bowie shirts each tell a story. The dark shirt on the left is a shirt my Dad got when he attended Bowie’s American Tour in 1978. 🙂 The white shirt on the right is the shirt I got the night I saw David Bowie perform live on his 2004 Reality Tour, 20 years ago on this very day, 25th April 2004 (thank you so much Laurie for this shirt)!

That night, I had the honour of wearing my Dad’s 1978 shirt. 🙂 Anyone who knows me well knows my deep love for Bowie, courtesy of father, Robert Campbell. That Reality Tour performance at Loveland’s Budweiser Events Center was my first and only time I saw Bowie live–for a girl who grew up listening to Bowie from practically the womb, this performance meant the world to me. My birthday was just over a week before, and getting tickets to see a David Bowie concert was by far the best gift–thank you Dad! It was only natural that a girl who grew up watching Bowie music videos would eventually see the man in concert.

3-4 year old me watching the VHS tape of Bowie’s 1987 Glass Spider Tour; also note the tennis racquet as a guitar, haha!

That night 20 years ago, Bowie more than delivered with a long set of both classic and new songs. My dad, his brother Iain and his wife Laurie, and I were all utterly spellbound by the man who brought the world Space Oddity, Ziggy Stardust, Fame, the Thin White Duke, Let’s Dance, etc. For me, that night was utter magic, and yet bittersweet, especially for my Dad, as it would mark the 10th and last time he would see Bowie in concert.

We didn’t get home till about 1-2 AM in the morning, but I immediately set upon recording the experience in a journal entry. And the next day at school, I proudly wore my Reality Tour shirt. 🙂 This day lives forever in my memory, and I can’t thank my Dad enough for providing me the opportunity to see our hero. As Bowie would say, love on ya!

-LMC

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Desert Bloom Gardening & Hydroponics – Interview with Owners Nikki & Isaiah Tyler

Live interview with Nikki and Isaiah Tyler, the new owners of Desert Bloom Gardening & Hydroponics.

Desert Bloom is Grand Junction’s first established hydroponics center. Hydroponics is a simple yet very effective method of growing plants with a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil. Benefits include healthier plant growth, improved produce taste, and the ability to grow plants year-round.

Visit Desert Bloom at 445 Pitkin Ave to view their incredible assortment of plants, pots, soils, and products from local vendors. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb growing tiger tail mushrooms or a gardening beginner who’s interested in succulents, Nikki and Isaiah are highly knowledgeable about all things gardening and can help you!

To learn more about Desert Bloom Hydroponics , call 970-245-6427 or visit https://www.desertbloomhydro.com/.

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Reddirt Remodeling LLC – Interview with Owner Doug Linebarger

Live interview with Doug Linebarger, Owner of Reddirt Remodeling LLC.

Reddirt Remodeling LLC is a veteran and family-owned business for 18 years. Doug moved here from Florida about 6 months ago and looks forward to serving all of your residential renovations, decking, fencing, and rental property make ready and maintenance needs. Licensed and insured, Reddirt Remodeling LLC approaches all projects with high-quality results and attention to detail in mind.

For your remodeling and renovation needs, give Doug a call at 970-424-8762, or visithttps://www.reddirt-remodeling.com/.

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The Gift Of Love INC- Interview with Founder Brittney Bade

Live interview with Brittney Bade, Founder of The Gift Of Love INC.

The Gift Of Love is a 501(c)e nonprofit organization that provides care packages for places such as Latimer House, Karis Teen Shelter (The House) and several retirement communities. Founded in 2018, Brittney has created and donated thousands of care packages throughout the years, for people of all ages, from children to seniors.

Dedicated volunteers and fundraising are what make The Gift Of Love INC possible. To learn more about this wonderful organization and how can you help, call 970-270-9079 or visit  https://www.facebook.com/brittneybadethegiftoflove. To make a donation, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/gofundmecom2098c52e.

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Posh Salon and Boutique – Interview with Owner Erika Brown

Hi everyone, here is today’s live interview with Erika Rose Brown, owner of Posh Salon and Boutique. Voted #1 Salon in Grand Junction, Posh Salon offers hair, nails, and bridal services so you can be your best, most beautiful self. Their salon is a soothing atmosphere where you can unwind and get your dream look. 

Learn more about Posh Salon and Boutique by visiting https://www.poshsalonandboutique.com/

554 Main Street, Grand Junction CO 81501

Call or text Posh Salon at: 970-644-5858