Publisher’s Note

HAPPY NEW YEAR DENVER!

Dear Readers,

The DENVER NEWS wishes all of you reading this a very prosperous 2012.

The year is starting off just right. The Broncos had a Mile High Miracle on Sunday January 8th beating the Pittsburg Steelers in a playoff game… courtesy of Tebow and his teammates. There was even a halo that hung over the field from the fireworks smoke. Inspirational to say the least. Men and women in the military were on the field at half time after coming home from Iraq and their loved ones ran from the sidelines in to the arms of these returning soldiers. You could not help but tear up from being thankful, happy and ecstatic with the win and the goings-on of the day. So many emotions, and it was all good! It brought a city some relief from the stress and strains of everyday life. WAY TO GO BRONCOS! Thanks for the memory and a good start to the New Year.

Mayor Michael Hancock held a private meeting on Jan 10th in his office with citywide neighborhood newspapers to explain his focus on the economy, environment and cultural aspects that he has planned for Denver under his leadership. I attended with our Director of Marketing, Lorenzo Gibson. We both were in awe of the clear and precise manner in which he presented his plans and answered the hard questions. I feel like I got to know and understand him better. I like his bottom-up approach to identifying issues and developing alternative ideas to their resolution. We will be sharing more of his message in the upcoming issues.

Hopefully we have a lot to look forward to in 2012. We made it through another year intact. Hopefully we can start to see a change in the job situation and more people going back to work. So many people I know have been through the worst with losing their jobs or homes and have shown me how to hang tough. Cherish what you have every day and make the most of what you’ve got.

The very best to you all! Samantha- Publisher

LoDoNA Hits New Year Running

Join new and old friends at the first WeeBoT of 2012, and celebrate the newest restaurant opening in LoDo, World Famous Charlie Palmer’s District Meats. Free appetizers and drink specials during the entire event, and a great opportunity to connect with your neighborhood.

Don’t miss this opportunity to try out this great new restaurant and have the opportunity to win great door prizes. January 12, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 pm, at District Meats, 625 Wazee St.

LoDoNA and DDRO are co-hosting a public safety forum to address issues affecting residents such as sleeping on the mall, graffiti, and other quality-of-life issues. Councilwoman Judy Montero and others will be on the panel. January 19, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wynkoop Brewery, 1634 18th St.

Plan to attend the most-fun-you-will-ever-have-at-a-meeting event: the LoDoNA Annual Meeting on February 8, at the newly renovated Saddlery Building, featuring an opportunity to learn from some of the signature chefs here in LoDo. LoDo has become a international culinary destination, with more than a dozen award-winning restaurants in every cuisine. Celebrate all that our neighborhood has to offer, and find out what we have in store for 2012. February 8, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at 15th and Wynkoop. See ads on pages 6 and 9.

Get State Straight Weekly on RMPBS

Each week on Rocky Mountain PBS, Cynthia Hessin, an Emmy-Award-winning broadcast journalist, convenes a group of expert guests to discuss topics in the news, from the economy and the environment to education and other issues pertinent to the Colorado audience.

Colorado State of Mind draws journalists, policy makers and experts from a range of fields and every point of view for a balanced, informative discussion. The program is part of the network’s Friday night public affairs lineup, which includes the PBS NewsHour, Washington Week and Need to Know. Join the discussion every Friday at 7:30 p.m. or online at rmpbs.org/stateofmind.

Each week, 1.2 million people throughout Colorado turn to Rocky Mountain PBS to discover inspiring local, national and international programming; find diverse viewpoints; score front row center seats to world-class performances; and experience lifelong learning opportunities.

Rocky Mountain PBS celebrates its 55th anniversary on the air this year. The network began in Denver in 1956 as Colorado’s first public television station. It is now Colorado’s only statewide television network.

For more information, visit rmpbs.org.

SnowFest Blizzard Hits Denver

This year, Denver will once again be the center of the snow sports universe when the SIA Snow Show, the world’s largest snow sports trade show, is staged in the Mile High City, January 26–29. To welcome the show’s 19,000 attendees in high style, Visit Denver is sponsoring the third annual Mile High SnowFest, a four-day celebration of all things snow, January 25–28.

Mile High SnowFest showcases the many ways that Denver rolls out the white carpet to the VIPs of the snow sports industry, including: Winter on the Rocks, the first-ever winter concert at Red Rocks; Art of Winter, a multi-site, snow-inspired exhibition of original ski and snowboard art; free ice skating at downtown’s Southwest Rink at Skyline Park, activities at the Denver Pavilions and, as always, great events and deals at Downtown Denver’s top restaurants, bars and clubs.

Events and specials are listed on the Mile High SnowFest website, with new events and deals throughout the month.

“Denver is the number-one snow sports urban center in America, and we want to show the 19,000 delegates coming to the Snow Show, that nobody knows the industry like the Mile High City,” states Richard Scharf, president & CEO of Visit Denver, The Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Activities during Mile High SnowFest include: Winter On The Rocks, January 27: The first ever winter concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, will feature multiple acts for Snow Show attendees. Icelantic Skis and AEG Live Rocky Mountains are teaming up to produce the show, featuring top hip hop band Atmosphere as well as R&B superstar Common.

Southwest Rink At Skyline Park, through January 28: Skyline Park is the place for family fun during SnowFest. Take advantage of free ice skating seven days a week. Skate rental is just $2 or bring your own pair and skate for free. Snowdown 2012 is Colorado’s largest kickoff party during the Snow Show, bringing headlining national and local entertainment to Denver’s City Hall on January 26. Snowdown features an all-nighter line up of performances on five stages with headliner Dilated Peoples and special guests.

Catch a green ride to-and-from Denver Pavilions on the 16th Street Mall to the Colorado Convention Center via Pedicabs. Pedicabs will run complimentary round trip service during the show from Denver Pavilions.

Witness the creation of a spectacular 3-D chalk drawing in anticipation Denver’s historic winter concert at Red Rocks. Come see how it’s done as local artist Stephen DeOrio turns Denver Pavilion’s plaza pavers into a picturesque 3-D interactive chalk drawing of the epic concert venue. Pose for photos on the drawing and be entered into a Facebook contest for prizes.

Snow-inspired exhibitions feature the works of Colorado artists including: Colorado artist and designer, Sam Mobley, commissioned to create an installation of hanging cardboard gondolas in the lobby of the Colorado Convention Center. Using everyday objects and re-imagining them, Sam Mobley inspires people to think big but start small. This installation will consist of three full-size gondola cars on display during the Snow Show.

Colorado is home to many of the world’s most acclaimed outdoor filmmakers. Through film, they capture the stories of adventurers and risk-takers who inspire others to take action in pursuit of their dreams. Five recognized filmmakers share their most inspirational and awe inspiring footage by weaving a series of short vignettes to be shown throughout the Art of Winter on select LEDs in downtown Denver.

With non-traditional canvasses made out of recycled skis and snowboards, select Colorado artists are challenged to create snow sport-inspired masterpieces. The resulting original works from more than 20 artists and designers will be displayed outdoors, against the backdrop of winter on Historic Larimer Square.

13th Annual Transworld Snowboarding Riders’ Poll Awards, January 27, at Filmore Auditorium: The awards honor the sport’s best athletes of the year, with the winners determined by polling the world’s most respected riders in snowboarding. Snowboarding’s top professional athletes and the industry’s elite will honor the best in the sport.

Throughout Mile High SnowFest, great deals and events are being offered at Denver’s best restaurants, bars and clubs.

For more information, visit Mile High SnowFest online.

Women Plus Film Festival

The Denver Film Society’s Women+Film Voices Film Festival, March 6–11, announces the MacSpa Mobile Movie Making Workshop and On-line Mobile Film Festival to run in conjunction with the W+F Voices Film Festival held at the Denver FilmCenter/Colfax.

Produce a two-to-three minute video, created on a mobile device, about a woman who inspires you or who has an interesting story to tell. The video will promote the mission behind the W+F Voices Film Festival to celebrate inspiring stories and help women claim their voices in society.

The video must be shot and created on a mobile device, such as the iPhone, Android, iPod Touch or iPad. Anyone can participate. Participation from one person or a team is permitted but there can be only one submission per team. Sign up for the Mobile Film-Fest by sending an RSVP to tammy@denverfilm.org; additional information will be provided upon your email. Deadline is 10 a.m. Monday, January 16.

The MacSpa Mobile Moviemaking Workshop and informational meeting will be held Tuesday, January 17, at 6 p.m. Basic information on the Mobile Film-Fest will be discussed and MacSpa of Denver will give a short workshop and overview of shooting and editing on mobile devices. Completed videos will be posted and showcased on-line thru the Denver Film Society starting Sunday, February 19.

In addition to the on-line showcase the most popular videos will play as shorts before films at the W+F Voices Film Festival. Winners will be announced at a reception on Tuesday, February 28, and prizes will be awarded to the top five favorite videos.

For more information, visit denverfilm.org.

Cowboy Gathering to Honor Heritage

The Colorado Cowboy Gathering celebrates 23 years of cowboy heritage starting Friday, January 20 through Sunday, January 22. This year’s event features an exciting line-up of headlining performers, including:

Baxter Black, arguably the best known Cowboy Poet of all time. Black wears the hat and weaves a great cowboy rhyme. Enjoy an evening with this legend of the prairie. Dave Stamey, one of the most popular Western entertainers in the world, who has been has been voted Entertainer of the Year, three times.

Gary McMahan is more than a triple threat performer, he is a nationally recognized cowboy poet, songwriter, entertainer, storyteller and humorist. Carol Heuchan is Australia’s award-winning bush poet extraordinaire and Performer of the Year.

This three-day roundup includes two evening performances, two full-days of popular theme session matinees, authentic chuck-wagon cookin’, and the first-ever televised Cowboy Variety Show in the Gathering’s 23 year history. The weekend captures the true spirit and lifestyle of the Cowboy heritage through poetry, song and verse. At the American Mountaineering Center in Golden. Easy access and ample free parking.

For more information, visit ColoradoCowboyGathering.com. Tickets online or at 888-718-4253.

Give Hope Center 50,000 Lights

Hope Center has entered its 50th year of service as a community agency based in the Heart of Denver. In existence since 1962 providing quality Early Childhood Education (ECE) for children from all backgrounds and Vocational services to adults with developmental disabilities.

Nationally accredited since 1984 and an ECE program with a 4-Star Qualistar rating for over 10 years, the agency’s programs have benefited from servicing around 50,000 combined families, community members and individuals in its lifetime. Hope Center attributes its success to highly skilled staff, teachers with degrees specializing in Early Childhood Education, committed families and extended community partners.

One of Hope Center’s Community Partners, Mile High United Way, featured a five year old student from Hope Center in an article about MHUW’s School Readiness Initiative. Another highlight featured Hope Center in the Denver Post titled “School lays foundation for youngsters.”

Hope Center’s success for another 50 years and ability to impact another 50,000 lives relies on you. The demand for high quality early childhood education services and vocational programs are greater than Denver’s current ability to supply. Hope Center is in need of monetary donations designated for tuition scholarships, funding for the purchase of quality resources in the classroom, revenue for building improvements and renovation in efforts to maintain safe and secure learning environments and so much more.

Hope Center’s premier ECE program is located at 3400 Elizabeth St. and Vocational program at 3475 Holly St. in Denver. Hope Center is a non-profit 501(c) 3, whose funding stream depends on gifts and grants from individuals like you. Currently, their ECE program serves over 200 families predominately from lower socio-economic households with over sixty-seven percent in need of aid for tuition assistance.

To celebrate its 50th year, Hope Center invites all to attend its 7th Annual Vintage Vegas, Million Lights of Hope Fundraising event on Saturday, March 10. The Agency’s desire is to raise more than $50,000. Your light will shine bright when you make an investment in Hope Center today. Invest by volunteering, attending a Fundraising Event or make a financial contribution.

For more information, call 303-388-4801 or visit hopecenterinc.org.

Red Rocks to Host First Winter Concert

Yes, the rumors have proved true and Red Rocks Amphitheatre will open its concert doors for its first-ever winter concert on January 27.

Red Rocks will host Icelantic’s Winter on the Rocks, brought to you by Icelantic and AEG Live Rocky Mountains, featuring Atmosphere, Common, and Grieves + Budo. This landmark event celebrates winter in Colorado at one of the most iconic venues in the world.

Tickets through Ticketmaster and the Ogden Theatre.

Donation Planning Demands Good Research

In the current economic climate, it is more important than ever to ensure your monetary donations are going to legitimate causes and being allocated properly.

According to charitywatch.org, there are close to 1.9 million nonprofit organizations in the United States today. These organizations are the fastest growing sector in the U.S. economy. For the most part, you can trust the organizations soliciting you for donations. However, there are some untrustworthy organizations and people who use respectable organizations to run scams.

While it is important to research an organization in order to avoid being a target for a con, it is also a good idea to fully research legitimate organizations to better understand the causes you are supporting and where your dollars will go.

Where can I research charitable organizations? Many organizations exist to help donors evaluate nonprofit organizations. Here are just a few you can use to determine the charity to best fit your interests: Better Business Bureau, American Institute of Philanthropy, charitywatch.org and 2.guidestar.org

Research their websites. Most reputable charitable organizations will have at least a basic website where you can find more information about their mission and how they use their funding.

Contact the organization directly. If the website doesn’t provide adequate information, look for an e-mail address or phone number to contact the organization and ask questions. Beware of organizations that reach out to you and don’t provide specific information. Also pay attention to the name of the organization. Some scams will use an organization name that sounds similar to a well-known charitable organization to entice people to donate.

Request written information. If the organization doesn’t already provide additional information on their website, ask for more information when contacting the organization directly.

It is perfectly acceptable to ask how much of your donation goes to the different areas of a nonprofit organization. For example, part of a donation might go to general administration and fundraising expenses, while another part might go to a program or service provided by the organization. The American Institute of Philanthropy Charity Rating Guide states that most highly efficient charities are able to spend 75 percent or more on programs. However, this percentage might vary depending on how big the organization, how well-known the cause is to the public and how established the organization is.

Avoid paying donations with cash, when possible. Rather, pay with a credit/debit card or a check. This will allow you to keep a record of your donations for both bookkeeping and tax purposes.

When researching a charitable organization, determine whether or not a contribution is tax deductible. Some nonprofits are tax exempt, which means the organization does not have to pay taxes. This is different from tax deductible, which means your contribution can be used as a deduction on your income tax return.

Some employers offer matching programs for charitable donations in which your company will contribute the same amount as you up to a specific maximum dollar amount.

For more information, contact Erika.Whitman@umb.com or 303-605-6000.

See ad on page 18

Delightful History Colorado Tours Slated

Tea in the Wyman Historic District. Friday, January 20, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (16th and Race St.) Brush up on your knowledge of tea and architecture as we spend an afternoon in the Wyman Historic District. A walking tour will include the Trinity Temple Building, Milheim House, Castle Marne, the House of 1000 Candles, and other homes in the Wyman Historic District.

Following the tour, you will enjoy high tea at one of Denver’s best destinations for afternoon tea: the Denver Tea Room, tucked into the Victorian Holiday Chalet Bed and Breakfast. Media and patrons alike praise the Denver Tea Room for its inspired tea selection, delicious food and elegant interior. Owner Margo Seymour is a certified Tea Master. $42 members, $52 nonmembers

History Colorado 2012 Tour and Trek Summit. Thursday, January 26, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Grant-Humphreys Mansion, 770 Pennsylvania). What better venue for announcing our exciting year of treks than a Summit? Mile-high folks just love the altitude, and this event will take you to new heights. Join us at the second annual History Colorado Tour and Trek Summit where we’ll share the entire year’s menu of tours, answer questions and get your calendars full of more fun. We also want to hear about the tours you would like to see in the future, especially after our new building opens. Refreshments provided. RSVP to Cheryl Graham at 303-866-4686.

Loveland Valentine Tour Friday, February 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (1310 Bannock St.) Join us for a tour to the heart of love in Colorado, the city of Loveland. The Valentine’s Day Re-Mailing Program keeps the postal system in Loveland busy, stamping and sending out more than 200,000 envelopes filled with love every year. You’ll get your valentines personally stamped, ready to send off to the sweetheart of your choice.

We’ll also visit the museum to see the valentine poems and art of the past. We’ll even take in one or two of the city’s famous statues and more. The tour includes an hour for lunch; bring some money to cover your meal. $41 members, $51 nonmembers

Cherokee Ranch Castle Tea and Tour (meet at castle in Sedalia). Thursday, February 9, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The sun of February may be brittle, but the warmth of tea and turrets will surely compensate. Join us at the Cherokee Ranch Castle, where antiques and artwork will lead to oohs and aahs. An exclusive tour of the historic mansion for History Colorado guests will leave you wondering if you have ended up somewhere on the Continent. Exquisite and not to be missed. A formal tea, that most civilized of affairs, will make the day complete. $52 members, $62 nonmembers

A Leap Year Chocolate Tour, Wednesday, February 29, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (1310 Bannock St.) At Roberta’s Chocolates, Candies and Nuts, you will meet the extended family that whips up unexpected combinations such as chocolate dipped jalapenos and pickles along with more conventional sweets. At Sweet Nothings Chocolate Company, you will learn about owner Ashley Walsh’s experimentation and how she infuses chocolate with flavors such as hibiscus or tea. The owners will share their techniques, demonstrate processes, and provide samples.

We will stop for lunch at Cake Crumbs, a Park Hill treasure. Participants should bring money to buy goodies and something more for lunch. $36 members, $46 nonmembers.

For more information, visit historycolorado.org.

Spire Sky Club Tops Downtown

Spire is downtown Denver’s premier high-rise residence. From our prestigious SkyClub collection and penthouses, rising above the city with awe-inspiring views, resort-style rooftop pool and open-air spa, convenient ground floor restaurants and wine bar to the marquee location Spire is city living at its best. It’s Denver at its best.

With special Fannie Mae, FHA and VA programs, low interest rates and exceptional pricing, there has never been a better opportunity to discover why Spire has been named one of the nations best-selling high-rise communities.

The residences at Spire are framed with walls of windows that capture breathtaking views of the city skyline, mountains and horizon. Each interior is crafted with modern details, natural materials, sleek appliances in the kitchens and beautiful finishes in the bathrooms – all filling thoughtful floor plans that have been created for open and spacious living. SPIRE is also LEED® certified, which means you’ll have a healthy home that is smart and responsible.

The community also features over 35,000 square feet of amenity space, including a rooftop pool sun terrace with a spa and gathering areas, a membership-level health club with yoga garden, a private screening room, open-air dog park, multiple entertainment and social areas with lounge seating and a wet bar and tap surrounded by oversize plasmas with DirecTV, fireplace, dining areas, and outdoor grilling area.

For owners of our exclusive SkyClub residences on our top 10 floors, we offer access to the SkyClub Lounge. Located more than 40 floors above the city, the SkyClub is an exclusive lounge, complete with billiards and gaming tables, personal wine lockers, an entertaining kitchen, and an outdoor terrace. Reserved for residents of SkyClub homes, this private space is the ultimate place to escape or entertain.

Located in the heart of downtown, Spire offers the most vibrant location in the city. Life here means parking the car, cutting out the commute and walking to some of the best dining, shopping, entertainment, nightlife, sports, arts and events in the city.

From the Denver Performing Arts Center to the Cherry Creek Bike Path, chic dining to neighborhood cafés, morning coffee to evening wine, renown destinations to new discoveries, the options are endless. The Spire Sales Center is open daily at 891 14th St.

For more information, call 720-457-7550 or visit HomeAtSpire.com.

Union Station Hotel Plan Selected

by Lorenzo Gibson

By unanimous vote, the RTD board approved authorization to begin negotiations with Union Station Alliance for the redevelopment of historic Denver Union Station as an integrated regional intermodal transportation hub and 130-room boutique hotel.

The board’s action culminated several months review of alternative development proposals, including costs, financial sustainability and benefits, preservation and reuse, and consideration of public comments. Union Station Alliance committed to completion of the redevelopment in early 2014 to accommodate completion of the first FasTracks transit corridors.

The proposed redevelopment envisions the revival of the station waiting room as a grand concourse for travelers with improved transit amenities, restaurant and other retail uses activating the public space around the clock.

“There is no lock on the front door to the hotel”, emphasizes the Alliance team. The hotel lobby and uniquely-furnished rooms will be on the second and third floors. The new hotel and will be affiliated with the nearby Oxford Hotel (for parking, spa, banquet rooms) one-block away on 17th St.

Union Station Alliance projects that the redeveloped station will pay about $65 million in revenue to RTD over the 60-year term of the lease of the station. It is also projected to generate approximately $130 million in state and local tax revenues.

The $48 million cost of the station redevelopment will be financed by $17 million that RTD has set-aside for the project in the FasTracks plan, $11.5 million in equity from Union Station Alliance, $12 million in debt, and $7.5 million in historical-tax credit equity.

To obtain the historic tax credits, the redevelopment plan for the station must be approved by the Denver Landmark Preservation Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, and the National Park Service. The Park Service will evaluate proposed alterations to the interior and exterior of the station contained in the redevelopment plan for consistency with its preservation guidelines and standards as the basis for awarding the credits.

Of particular interest during this process will be evaluation of the impact in maintaining the station’s historic integrity resulting from the planned installation of window dormers on the roof of the station to accommodate the hotel. There will also be scrutiny inside the station with proposed changes in the waiting room and on the mezzanine level due to hotel functions.

The redevelopment of the station will be key to the achievement of the overall goals established during the recently-completed transit district master planning process.

For more information, visit unionstationdenver.org.

 

Celebrate Colorado! At Capitol Film Premiere

Centennial Statehouse: Colorado’s Greatest Treasure, a new film by Havey Productions, will premiere at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012 at the Colorado Convention Center during the 2012 Saving Places Conference. All proceeds from this event will support distribution of the film to more than 1800 Colorado schools and libraries and will help support the Share in the Care Colorado campaign to restore the capitol dome.

“The general public is invited to this fundraising film premiere that celebrates Colorado and showcases the magnificent history of our State Capitol,” Colorado Preservation Inc.’s conference coordinator Nicole Moore said. “Jim Havey’s compelling documentaries really bring to life historic structures and we are very excited to close our annual historic preservation conference with the debut of this new film.”

“Our State Capitol is an iconic symbol reflecting the past, present and future of all Coloradans,” Director Jim Havey said. “This film takes you behind the scenes and tells the stories of the people who built and have worked in this magnificent building. It is a story that inspires a deep appreciation for Colorado’s history, from the turbulent territorial era and the protracted process of constructing a Capitol building, to the Capitol’s distinctive adornments utilizing glass, marble, bronze, textile and pigment to form unique portraits of the people and events that influenced the state’s development.”

Havey Productions is producing the film with partial funding from the State Historical Fund of History Colorado. Production Sponsors include Historic Denver, Inc., AT&T, Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media, Colorado Humanities, Anglo Gold Ashanti North America, Inc. , Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company, Inc., Linda Boden, Colorado Preservation, Inc. and Circuit Media. Event sponsors include the Civic Center Conservancy, Hendricks Financial Services, Denver News and KUSA Channel 9.

Tickets can be ordered now at www.haveypro.com and cost $18 in advance and $20 at the door (film premiere only.) Patron tickets to a pre-screening reception that includes appetizers, drinks and a meet and greet with the film’s director and other local dignitaries cost $100. Premiere sponsorship opportunities are available. For information, please contact Blair Gawthrop Miller at 303.877.4018. See front page for info.

FasTracks Top 10 Milestones

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) FasTracks program celebrated numerous milestones throughout the past year. Below are the top 10 FasTracks milestones in 2011.

$1.03 Billion Grant: U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray La Hood and Federal Transit Administration Administrator Peter Rogoff awarded RTD with a $1.03 billion Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) for the East Rail Line to Denver International Airport and the Gold Line to Arvada and Wheat Ridge. This is the largest transit grant awarded by the Obama Administration to date.

Gold Line Groundbreaking: RTD celebrated the groundbreaking for the Gold Line in historic Olde Town Arvada. The event also included a community street fair, complete with an ice cream social, hosted by the City of Arvada.

West Line/Denver Union Station: Construction continued full-speed ahead with the West Rail Line project reaching 85 percent completion, and the Denver Union Station project reaching 45-percent completion.

Construction-Ready Plan: RTD Board of Directors approved a plan to move forward with $305 million in remaining funds on the projects either not yet in construction or under contract. The funding is divided among the North Metro Line; the I-225 Line; the U.S. 36 Bus Rapid Transit Project; the Northwest Rail Project; and the extensions of the Southeast, Southwest and Central Corridor Extensions to make meaningful progress on each project with the available funds.

Industry Forum: RTD hosted its first Transformation through Transportation (T3) industry forum, which attracted more than 200 industry leaders from around the country to consider innovative solutions to RTD’s current challenges and opportunities.

Opened the First FasTracks Rail Stations: the new Auraria West Station and light rail station at Denver Union Station.

Arrival of Final Light Rail Vehicle: RTD received the final light rail vehicle for the FasTracks program. The vehicle was the final of 55 vehicles ordered for RTD’s expanded light rail service through the future opening of the West Rail Line, I-225 Rail Line and the extensions of the Southwest and Southeast Rail Lines.

Commuter Rail Train Model on Display: Displayed a model of the new RTD commuter rail car at Denver Union Station and Olde Town Arvada. The model attracted more than 10,000 visitors.

Determined Use for Denver Union Station: A competitive proposal process attracted two solid proposals for the re-use of historic Denver Union Station. Union Station Alliance will move into negotiations with RTD on developing the inside of the building as a boutique hotel with retail and restaurant elements.

Telephone Town Halls: RTD held a total of 15 Telephone Town Halls, one in each Director district, reaching out to more than 400,000 residents throughout the region. A total of 74,000 residents listened in or asked questions over the course of the meeting series.

This is just a partial listing of the many accomplishments and milestones the agency achieved, and RTD anticipates a number of major accomplishments for 2012 – including construction kick-off of a short segment of the Northwest Rail Line, the US 36 BRT Project, and starter segments of the North Metro Rail Line and I-225 Rail Line.

FasTracks is RTD’s voter-approved transit program to expand rail and bus service throughout the Denver metro area. FasTracks will build 122 miles of commuter rail and light rail, 18 miles of bus rapid transit service, add 21,000 new parking spaces, redevelop Denver Union Station and redirect bus service to better connect the eight-county District.

The FasTracks investment initiative is projected to create thousands of construction-related jobs during the height of construction, and will pump billions of dollars into the regional economy over the next 20 years.

CHUN Spreads Holiday Cheer

Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods, Inc. (CHUN), along with the Denver Police Department District 6 and Neighbors raised money to purchase holiday gifts and lunch for the children and staff at the Little Saints Daycare and Learning Center. A festive party was held at the school on December 20, highlighted by a visit from Santa.

The mission of Little Saints Daycare and Learning Center is to provide an environment that promotes emotional, intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual growth through an exciting and well-balanced program. The goal is to provide a safe, loving, creative environment that developmentally stimulates and prepares children for school readiness at an early age.

Little Saints Daycare and Learning Center strives to nourish healthy relationships, promote high self-esteem and good problem-solving skills through a variety of age appropriate settings. The vision is to foster independent, self-motivated, loving individuals who have the ability to live up to their fullest and unique potential.

Accordingly to the school, there is great turnover in the center due to the fact that many parents are losing their jobs or benefits for child care. Most of the parents at the center cannot afford gifts for their children. This is a non-profit center and 95 percent of the children are able to attend daycare through payment from child care assistance programs.

CHUN, DPD District 6 and our generous friends and neighbors were happy to be able to help the children at Little Saints have a fun and memorable holiday.

Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods’ mission is: Preserving the Past, Improving the Present, and Planning for the Future of Greater Capitol Hill. CHUN strives to accomplish this mission through its emphasis on historic preservation, affordable housing and homelessness, land use and zoning, and public safety.

Parking Finds in LoDo

The two surface parking lots flanking Union Station are closed, and while this seems to have whipped some into a frenzy of parking hysteria alternatives abound.

There is always the parking meter, but there are also 44,000 off-street parking spaces available in Downtown Denver, including these options closest-to-Union-Station: 1615 18th St. (LoDo Garage), 16th and Wazee (Mercantile Lot) and 1899 Wynkoop St. (garage parking). Many restaurants and hotels offer valet service, and taxi stands.

Don’t listen to the propaganda; parking continues to be convenient and easy to find in LoDo.

For more information, go online for Parking Options in Downtown Denver.

Oxford Named to Condé Nast Gold List

Denver’s Oxford Hotel is thrilled to announce that it is featured on Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List 2012 as one of the World’s Best Places to Stay.

In its January issue, the magazine calls the Oxford: “a wonderful older hotel with lots of charm,” and notes that the “individually decorated rooms in French, Victorian, and classic early-twentieth-century American décor are interesting, not carbon copies.” Only seven Colorado hotels are featured on Condé Nast Traveler’s 18th annual compilation of the world’s 511 best hotels, resorts and cruise lines; this is the first time that The Oxford Hotel has made the prestigious list.

“We are extremely proud that The Oxford Hotel has achieved this amazing recognition,” said Oxford General Manager Ed Blair. “Our entire staff is dedicated to offering exceptional service, which I believe is reflected in the incredible loyalty of our guests.”

Opened in 1891, the Oxford Hotel offers 80 individually decorated guest rooms with unique features such as claw foot bathtubs, floor-to-ceiling Chinese silk curtains and French and English antiques. The hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and houses an extensive collection of Western American art.

Located in the heart of LoDo, the hotel is home to 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and the Oxford Club, Spa & Salon, a full service day spa, hair salon and fitness center. Diners can enjoy the delicious food served at McCormick’s Fish House and Bar and chilled drinks at Denver’s quintessential Art Deco martini bar, the Cruise Room.

For more information, call 800-228-5838 or visit theoxfordhotel.com.

Checking Box 39 Not Too Taxing

How can you help someone in need find food, shelter, clothing, employment, child care, etc.? You can do it with the stroke of your pen. When you check box #39, the Colorado 211 First Call for Help Fund, on your state income tax form, you are helping fellow Coloradoans find vital services when they need them most.

Victoria needed food for her family. Yvette needed help paying her rent. Sandra needed assistance paying her utility bill. Michael needed help to provide a holiday meal for his children. These are all real people with real needs. The happy ending is that they got the help they needed after making one free call to United Way’s 211.

A free, multilingual service, United Way’s 211, is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and refers callers to non-emergency health and human services including emergency shelter, food, rental and utility assistance and much more. It is part of a statewide network of 211 call centers that last year answered the call for help from more than 256,000 Coloradoans.

This tax season, you have the chance to help 211 deliver more help to more people across Colorado. Simply check off the Colorado 211 First Call for Help Fund on line #39 of your state income tax form.

You can give $1 or $100. Whatever your gift, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that it is going to support a free service that is helping people in need, statewide, each and every day.

For more information, visit Mile High United Way online.

Donation Planning Demands Good Research

In the current economic climate, it is more important than ever to ensure your monetary donations are going to legitimate causes and being allocated properly.

According to charitywatch.org, there are close to 1.9 million nonprofit organizations in the United States today. These organizations are the fastest growing sector in the U.S. economy. For the most part, you can trust the organizations soliciting you for donations. However, there are some untrustworthy organizations and people who use respectable organizations to run scams.

While it is important to research an organization in order to avoid being a target for a con, it is also a good idea to fully research legitimate organizations to better understand the causes you are supporting and where your dollars will go.

Where can I research charitable organizations? Many organizations exist to help donors evaluate nonprofit organizations. Here are just a few you can use to determine the charity to best fit your interests: Better Business Bureau, American Institute of Philanthropy, charitywatch.org and 2.guidestar.org

Research their websites. Most reputable charitable organizations will have at least a basic website where you can find more information about their mission and how they use their funding.

Contact the organization directly. If the website doesn’t provide adequate information, look for an e-mail address or phone number to contact the organization and ask questions. Beware of organizations that reach out to you and don’t provide specific information. Also pay attention to the name of the organization. Some scams will use an organization name that sounds similar to a well-known charitable organization to entice people to donate.

Request written information. If the organization doesn’t already provide additional information on their website, ask for more information when contacting the organization directly.

It is perfectly acceptable to ask how much of your donation goes to the different areas of a nonprofit organization. For example, part of a donation might go to general administration and fundraising expenses, while another part might go to a program or service provided by the organization. The American Institute of Philanthropy Charity Rating Guide states that most highly efficient charities are able to spend 75 percent or more on programs. However, this percentage might vary depending on how big the organization, how well-known the cause is to the public and how established the organization is.

Avoid paying donations with cash, when possible. Rather, pay with a credit/debit card or a check. This will allow you to keep a record of your donations for both bookkeeping and tax purposes.

When researching a charitable organization, determine whether or not a contribution is tax deductible. Some nonprofits are tax exempt, which means the organization does not have to pay taxes. This is different from tax deductible, which means your contribution can be used as a deduction on your income tax return.

Some employers offer matching programs for charitable donations in which your company will contribute the same amount as you up to a specific maximum dollar amount.

For more information, contact Erika.Whitman@umb.com or 303-605-6000.

Hancock Wants Shelter System Review

Mayor Hancock requested a comprehensive review of Denver’s shelter system as part of his commitment to Denver’s Road Home and efforts to enhance services provided to our community.

“We have been hearing concerns from our community on several different fronts and we are listening,” Mayor Hancock said. “Our homeless shelter providers are important partners of Denver’s Road Home. Its commitment to the most vulnerable among us is admirable and appreciated. This is an opportunity to provide focus and support where we need it most.”

In response to concerns raised by the business community, residential community, protesters of Occupy Denver and the homeless community itself, Denver’s Road Home will seek an external agency or agencies to conduct a complete analysis of the City’s shelters. Denver’s Homeless Commission’s Shelter Sub-Committee will use this information to inform decision-making and planning.

The assessment will include, but is not limited to: referral process; queuing strategy; client and community safety; conditions; capacity for overnight only, day only and 24-hour shelter; location; client restrictions; average length of stay; additional services; exit strategies and alternative options.

Shelter availability is one component of a fully rounded structure to provide a path out of homelessness. Having an effective shelter system is an important short-term strategy that must be coupled with long-term strategies of transitional housing, permanent affordable housing, support services and the full range of tactics employed by Denver’s Road Home.

Bruce James New Visit Denver Chairman

Bruce James, managing partner of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, a leading law and policy firm headquartered in Denver, is the 2012 chair of Visit Denver, The Convention & Visitors Bureau. He replaces Ed Bucholtz, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center.

James has long been active in the hotel and leisure industry, representing some of the largest companies in the hospitality, golf and skiing industries, and has been cited on numerous occasions as one of the leading lawyers in Colorado on hotel and leisure matters. He is excited to bring his industry background to the leadership role at VISIT DENVER.

“I am looking forward to continuing the legacy of strong, committed leadership at the Bureau and following up on the successes that Denver’s tourism industry has enjoyed in the past few years,” James said.

Visit Denver is a private, non-profit trade association with 1,200 business members that has a contract with the City & County of Denver and is charged with marketing metro Denver as a convention and leisure destination. Tourism is Denver’s second largest industry and had its best year in 2010 with some 12.7 million overnight visitors spending $3 billion.

The tourism industry supports 50,000 jobs in metro Denver. The board provides direction for Visit Denver’s full time staff of 60 professionals and 100 part-time employees.

Joining James on the Bureau’s 2012 executive committee are: chair-elect Craig Piper, president & CEO of the Denver Zoo; secretary Bruce Alexander, president & CEO, Vectra Bank; and treasurer Tony DeNovellis, president & CEO, AAA Colorado. Four new board members have joined the 38-member Board of Directors of VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Joining the board for the first time are: George Sparks, president & CEO, Denver Museum of Nature & Science; David Corsun, director & associate professor, Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management, University of Denver; and John F. Kennedy, managing director, THOR Travel Services.

Sen. Brandon Shaffer, Colorado State Senator; and Rep. Frank McNulty, Speaker of the House, Colorado House of Representatives will join the board as ex-officio members.

Reappointed for another two-year term on the board are: Bruce Alexander, Vectra Bank; Ross Alexander, Veolia Transportation on Demand; Scott Bemis, Denver Business Journal; Mike Benson, Kroenke Sports; Ed Bucholtz, Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center;

Tom Curley, Starwood Hotels & Resorts; Tony DeNovellis, AAA Colorado; Larry DiPasquale, Epicurean Culinary Group; Joe Ellis, Denver Broncos Football Club; Lori Fox, United Airlines; Nick LeMasters, Cherry Creek Shopping Center; and Cindy Parsons, Comcast.

 

Windshield De-Icing Do’s & Don’ts

Waking up bright and early to remove ice from a windshield is a pain. Unfortunately, many impatient drivers discover creative ways to break the glass instead of removing the ice.

“There are some creative ideas around for getting ice off windshields, but they can be hazardous to your health,” Colt Easley of Glass Doctor® of Denver said. “There is a better way to safely remove ice from windshields and auto glass.”

Here are the Glass Doctor eight do’s and don’ts for de-icing your windshield: Do pour cold water to gradually melt the ice on a frozen door. Don’t pour hot water on the vehicle’s windshield and windows to melt the ice. The extreme temperature change can cause the glass to break.

Do start the vehicle and use the defroster setting to warm the glass. Wait at least five minutes for the glass to warm up. Don’t try to unseal the door by using a hair dryer, cigarette lighter, ice pick, screwdriver, propane torch or portable heater. Do use a plastic ice scraper and a soft plastic bristle brush or broom to clear the ice once it starts melting. A squeegee also helps.

Don’t scrape the ice off the windshield with a metal ice scraper, key, spatula, utility knife or crowbar. The metal scratches and cuts grooves in the glass. Do make sure no ice or snow is obstructing the vehicle’s tailpipe. If it is covered, remove the ice or snow to prevent the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning. Don’t pour a mixture of vinegar and water on the windshield. Vinegar eats pits into the windshield glass.

Waiting for ice to melt on its own isn’t practical in the morning, so knowing how to properly defrost auto glass is important. By waking up a few minutes early, drivers can avoid accidents caused by de-icing windshields.

For more information, visit glassdoctor.com.

Top Ten Scams of the Year

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) investigates thousands of scams every year, from the latest gimmicks to the oldest schemes in the book, which continue to persist and evolve. As the New Year begins, the BBB reflects on 2011’s most prevalent marketplace problems. Here’s our annual list of scams:

Phishing is when a scammer calls or emails someone asking for personal information. Phishing emails infect computers with a virus to steal data. One of the most harmful phishing scams of 2011 disguised itself as an official communication from NACHA (National Automated Clearing House Association), which facilitates the secure transfer of billions of electronic transactions every year. The email claimed that a transaction did not go through, and like most phishing emails, it hopes recipients will react quickly and click on the link before thinking it through.

Other major phishing scams in 2011 included those that were disguised as being from the BBB, StubHub, Netflix and UPS. The BBB is still working with security consultants and federal law enforcement to track down the source of the phishing emails that used its name. The BBB has helped to shut down dozens of hijacked websites.

Sweepstakes and lottery scams come in all shapes and sizes, but the pitch is almost always this: the target has won a huge sum of money, and in order to claim it they must send in a smaller amount of money, usually via wire transfer. 2011’s top sweepstakes scam was undoubtedly the email claiming to be from Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg announcing that the recipient was the winner of $1 million from the popular social networking site. The BBB consistently takes calls from people who think they’ve won a fraudulent sweepstakes.

One of the most widespread scams to take place locally involved deceptive mailings that appeared to be from “official” departments or offices. One notable scam of this kind was a mailing sent to several local businesses from an entity called, Corporate Controllers Unit. The letter deceived recipients into thinking they were updating their trade name filing with the state and asked for a payment of $225.00. The state of Colorado only charges $10.00 for the same filing.

Online shoppers had quite a frustrating year, according to BBB complaints. Several online retailers left consumers hanging when it came to the delivery of their purchases in 2011. Online merchants selling everything from bikes, to pet supplies, to firearms and even brewery tours received numerous complaints about non-delivery and lack of refunds.

Fraudulent messages with malicious links claiming to show everything from grisly footage of Osama bin Laden’s death to the latest celebrity scandals appeared on social media sites, often looking as if they had been shared by a friend. “Sweetheart” scams were also prevalent, conning online daters into sending money to criminals pretending to be love interests.

Though 2011 was a quieter year for renegade roofers compared to recent years past, the BBB still saw a surge in complaints against the industry during the summer months. In June and July alone, over 100 complaints were filed against roofers. Complainants often state the roofer took a down payment and never started work or in other cases, never finished or did very poor work.

Secret shopper schemes, work-from-home fraud, and other phony job offers are still common, however, in 2011, job-related scams appeared to include an element of identity theft. One particular scam of this sort that hit our area appeared on Craigslist. It claimed to pay $18.50 an hour for call center jobs but before applying, those interested were required to obtain a “free credit report.” Applicants were instructed to get this credit report through a fraudulent website, which is where identity theft may have been committed, as extremely personal information is requested for the report.

Timeshare owners continue to be frustrated with not being able to sell their properties. In 2011, many consumers fell victim to a very specific timeshare scam. Victims received a call out of the blue offering a generous price for their Mexican timeshare property. The buyer offered to handle the transaction for no money up front and made the process simple and easy for the consumer, emailing all necessary documents and providing a supposed independent escrow account to act as a secure third party.

In time, various international taxes and other ambiguous fees were assessed to victims, while the timeshare company promised reimbursement at the time of sale. Thousands of dollars later, both the buyer and escrow company disappeared, taking with them the consumers’ money and trust.

Appearing for the first time on the BBB’s top 10 list is penny auction websites; a new, ever-growing sector of online sales. Penny auctions are very popular because they appear to offer high-end products, (cameras, computers, etc.) for well below retail prices. But customers pay a small fee for each bid (usually $0.50 to $1.00) and when they don’t win, they lose all bid money they’ve paid. This loss of money is what differentiates these offers from typical auctions. Although not all penny auction sites are scams, some are being investigated as online gambling.

There are countless ways to steal someone’s identity and hotels everywhere became a target of this crime in 2011. Many hotels now post warnings in their lobby about the following scam: guests get a call in their hotel room in the middle of the night and seems to be the front desk clerk saying their computer has crashed and they need the guest’s credit card number again.

Scammers count on guests being too sleepy to catch on that the call isn’t from the hotel at all, but from a criminal who knows the direct-dial numbers for the guest rooms. By the time morning rolls around and the guest is clear-headed, their credit card information has been stolen.

 

Meaning What

Elixir Sought for Winter Blues

by Daniel DeCristoforo

It was during early February in an above-average-snow-fall winter, that my friend Lee, an exceptional skier, hosted the one and only Winter Blues party. The bash was a smash. The wonder is why we never did it again.

We played volleyball outdoors in shorts against a brown backdrop, the default color of winter east of the Continental Divide. Lee’s date was a sleek blonde beauty with an hourglass figure. The couple looped, swooped and swirled, dancing in picture-perfect synchronicity; they missed nary a beat. Eventually we all took a turn with Miss Wonderful. Granted, she was a lousy volleyball player. But then no one ever hit to Cindy; she was a mannequin.

The Winter Blues gala was such a huge success that I don’t recall much about what went on after prime time, 9 or so. We had gathered around shortly after noon and maintained a frenzied pace fueled by vodka, gin and various ale’s well into the following day. I awoke late that morning in bed with a strange woman. We were both still half dressed. I didn’t ask. As I recall, it was late afternoon before I finally arrived back home.

Lee had banished the Winter Blues with a blowout that fueled conversation for years after.

Each year, post-holidays, one faces the same deeply distressing steely-eyed corundum: What now? What to do after blazing fall has long since faded and holiday lights slowly flicker to black? Once the orgy of holidaying is past, things gets damn tough. No widely observed, extended playtime exists to temper one’s distemper until spring break and Easter. What’s there to look forward to?

One day it’s holiday season; the very next day, tax season! Puke. Tax season heaps its own perverse chill atop an already ice-bound landscape. Tax season lasts 3.5 months. According to a recent IRS report, tax cheats are legion. The bill is in the billions. Imagine all those beady-eyed shivering souls huddled in the frigid corners of under-heated homes in perpetual dread: the tax man cometh. There’s the maxed-out-credit-card bill. Shortly, Catholics will smear myriad foreheads with ash, a reminder that we’ll all soon be dead. Tell me about it!

We get Lent; the ultimate spoiler. Give up your favorite things; as if this trial-by-fire of a season hadn’t already burned away the last vestiges of fun and games—reduced all to ashes. Adding insult to many injuries, reports say snow is spotty. Skiers dread rocks, gardeners, watering restrictions.

What now?

Lee’s Winter Blues party generated the big MO. We embraced our Mojo. It powered us well past the crocuses and forsythia. Why it never caught on as tradition, is beyond me. The pagans got it right. Light up the solstice. But they too appeared to have stopped way short of the red zone. Probably caves were just too damn cold in February; there was no place to take the party.

We have no such limitations. Mardi Gras is on the right track, but here, too, on its heels, comes the void. We need to keep the party embers smoldering until it’s safe to go outside again. St. Patty’s is fun and I love bagpipes, but St. Patty’s is a classic example of “too little too late.”

No. What’s needed is to resurrect the Winter Blues Bash and codify it. Make it a tradition. We own the crucible and birthright (not to mention several hundred bars and restaurants with the zealots who support them) and the name is LoDo, party central for the Rocky Mountain region. Make Valentine’s the kickoff. That kills two birds with one arrow: the Winter blues and the heartache of those who lack significant others.

Let the Winter Blues Bash begin and let’s all party down to LoDo.

Daniel DeCristoforo can be reached at dnews5@centurylink.net.

Arts Lodown

tbellphotographic studio Seeks Photo Show Entries

As luck would have it, here’s your opportunity to take a shot with “Chance.” Whether it’s accidental, coincidental, making a snap decision, taking advantage of an opportunity, counting on probability, or taking a risk, we all experience Chance every day.

The photographic possibilities of this abstract concept are endless. This show will celebrate the spontaneity and the impromptu nature of Chance. Grab any photographic device and take advantage of those Chance circumstances around you, which convey a unique and interesting moment, or imply hope or luck.

Interpret Chance through your subject matter, or show us how an amazing camera setting or processing technique provided surprising results. Share your fascination with Chance and the art of being in the right place at the right time.

The show is open to all professional and amateur photographers of at least 18 years of age, working with digital, traditional, alternative or experimental photographic techniques. Entry deadline is February 9 with the exhibition scheduled for March 2–18. Entry forms are available online.

For more information, visit tbellphotographic.com.

DAM Kicks Off Final Friday Events

The final Friday of the month, the Denver Art Museum offers a dose of the unexpected with offbeat art encounters, unique detours of the DAM collection, art making, local music, cash bar, munchies and more.

At each mixed-media Untitled event, the museum explores a specific theme with exhibition related activities and community collaborations. The museum keeps its door open late; each event runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The new season kicks off January 27 with Untitled #43 (Made in China) and continues through Untitled #52 (Written Off) on October 26.

“Untitled is the moment where we highlight ongoing creative community connections while at the same time showcasing what makes the DAM and its collections unique,” says Jaime Kopke, coordinator of adult and college programs. “At Untitled, visitors get to direct their own museum experience, deciding what’s fun and relevant to them while also getting a dose of the DAM’s collections, programming and community partners.”

That means visitors get exclusive access to their favorite curators, educators and community experts for one-night only opportunities. Artworks come out of storage, curators give special critiques and specialists share and connect their passion with the museum. Visitors can choose from a full menu of activities to curate their own night.

For more information and a complete schedule, visit collective.denverartmuseum.org.

Zen-Shine Fused Glass at Sync

Sandy Jackson has been using the symbol for Zen enso without realizing it in her work for years. Enso is a simple black circle that may or may not have a single opening. When the circle is closed entirely, it represents the universe as a whole, a single entity to which everything is connected and within which everything is held.

Opening reception is Friday, January 20, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Exhibit runs from January 16 through February 11.

However, when there is a single opening, it shows that nothing in the universe is perfect and suggests that we stop striving for perfection and instead allow the universe to be as it is.

Sandy said, “The enso is used as a meditation aid in either form and is said to both provide and reveal enlightenment. Recently I have brought this symbol into my life though my daily practice of meditation.

“I believe that we are here to uncover the mysteries of our human existence. Through my art I hope you find the inspiration to be incandescent, to shine your inner light and reach your highest potential, to discover and develop your innate capacity to live consciously and lead a successful, happy existence.”

The work in this exhibit is meant to visually reflect the feeling of being in the state of Zen. Viewers will notice the enso symbol throughout Jackson’s work, specifically in the patina paintings on steel. You will experience the feeling of light and energy in the glass sculptural work, reminding you to let your inner light glow outward. It is our choice and right to be happy and filled with Zen-Shine.

Sandy Jackson is a contemporary artist who works mainly in fused glass and what she calls Patina Painting, which is the use of patinas on raw steel canvas. Her large-scale corporate sculptures can be seen nationally and many reside in Colorado.

For more information, visit sandyjacksonfineart.com or call 720-284-1922.

Positions and Dispositions at Robischon

In conjunction with the 2011 opening of Denver’s Clyfford Still Museum and the Denver Art Museum exhibition entitled Focus: Robert Motherwell, Robischon Gallery presents a selection of works by Robert Motherwell, a peer of Still and an equally important founding figure of the New York Abstract Expressionist movement.

Also on view, further reflecting the AB EX movement and its position of influence, are divergent works by Still’s student, pre-eminent sculptor Manuel Neri and noted painter Frank Lobdell. Two concurrent solo exhibitions feature large-scale paintings and works on paper by notable later-generation abstractionists, Gary Komarin and Dale Chisman.

For more information, call 303-298-7788 or visit robischongallery.com.

Bright Lights Champa LED Screen

In an exciting new program designed to promote the arts and recognize the talents of Colorado artists, the Denver Theatre District and Denver’s Art District on Santa Fe have teamed up to showcase stunning imagery on the large LED screen in the heart of Downtown Denver.

Five prominent local artists who regularly exhibit in the Art District are currently featured on the 14th and Champa LED display, with plans for the work of additional artists to be included over the next several months.

“Showcasing artists from areas like the Art District on Santa Fe is an important part of the DTD’s mission. We are very excited about the opportunity to show the downtown audience that great art and artists flourish all over Denver. In 2012 we plan to expand the relationship with the Arts District on Santa Fe in ways not done in other downtown environments,” said David Ehrlich of the Denver Theatre District Management.

Orbital Blooms at Core

Emerging artist Erica Branch invites the public to her inaugural gallery show Orbital Blooms, January 26 through February 12, at the CORE Annex, 900 Santa Fe Dr.

The show features intricate acrylic paintings that not only burst with color, but are also animated with stories and symbols woven together through whimsical blossoms and plant life. Artists’ reception is January 27, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Branch will also attend the First Friday Art Walk on February 3, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Erica’s work is inspired by everything from religion, politics and symbolism to feminism and fantasy. Her current tenure as an officer in the US Army and deployment to Iraq have enhanced her work by adding the unique perspective of living in a military culture and the experiences of war. She enjoys telling stories through her art and feels, at times, more like a storyteller than a visual artist.

Interwoven beneath the vivid colors and sometimes cartoon-like shapes are the colliding themes of these stories that often include, death, sexuality, innocence, greed, beauty, love and compassion. This is her first full gallery show and she is thrilled to finally share her body of work, her stories and connect with viewers through a mutual love of art.

Erica has been creating art from an early age and chose to nurture her creative side by obtaining a degree in Fine Arts in 2005. She has recently exhibited paintings at Studio 12 Gallery’s Dia de los Muertos juried show.

For more information, contact erica.marie.branch@gmail.com, 719-304-1881 and branchheartart.com.

Facets of Fiber Exhibition

On view from January 20 through February 29, in the John Jellico Gallery at the Art Institute of Colorado, Facets of Fiber is juried show of the Surface Design Association. The Opening Reception is January 27, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The exhibit features the artwork of 37 Colorado Fiber Artists.

Facets of Fiber is a diverse collection of both 2D and 3D artwork created using a multitude of techniques and presenting an extensive array of thematic content with one common thread; the use of fiber.

The Surface Design Association is an international community engaged in the creative exploration of fiber and fabric. Surface Design refers to any process that gives structure, pattern, or color to fiber and fabric. These include spinning, felting, papermaking, weaving, knotting, netting, looping, dyeing, painting, stitching, cutting, piecing, printing, quilting, and embellishing.

The exhibit demonstrates all of these techniques in conjunction with the exploration of various styles and conceptual ideas.

For more information, contact 303-818-9077, kristi.baca@gmail.com or surfacedesign.org.

Byers-Evans Flashes on Sixties

With her new Honeywell Pentax camera in hand and working as an assistant to The Kingston Trio manager Frank Werber, Lisa Law captured the genesis of a new era.

Whether she was backstage with The Beatles, The We Five, Otis Redding, The Lovin’ Spoonful, The Velvet Underground, The Byrds, or Peter, Paul and Mary; taking promotional photographs of Janis Joplin and Big Brother, helping feed hundreds of thousands at Woodstock; or at home making dinner for house guests like Bob Dylan and Andy Warhol; her passion for photography grew into a profession.

Join the Byers-Evans House for this fascinating flashback to the 1960s featuring original photographs and rock posters. Show runs through February 29, at the Byers-Evans House Museum.

For more information, call 303-620-4933.

Power Fully Placid at Pirate Gallery

Theresa Anderson’s latest exhibit, “power fully placid,” enumerates a series of confusing declarations of self. Exploring current feminist theory that is often judged as incoherent, Anderson intentionally explores the idea of misnegations from the standpoint of identity. Misnegations are often misleading uses of words and negatives that tend to cancel each other out. Showing at Pirate Gallery through January 22.

Using seemingly double negatives and flowery statements amongst hand-selected and transformed household objects she highlights inconsistencies of meaning and self-characterization.

Similar to encountering the remnants left to distinguish and memorialize a missing person –the objects in the exhibition become a new placeholder of reminiscences. Initially painting a large diagrammatic of “the missing person” she then set about intensifying her special collection of objects with daily repetitive motions. The accumulation of marks inherent in basting, painting, medicating, dripping, tying, draping, drilling, cutting, and sewing temporarily disguise a once taut linear narrative.

Theresa Anderson was recently selected as one of twelve Feature Artists and rewarded with a Top One Hundred by Artists Wanted in New York. Having completed a residency at the Presidents Arts and Humanities award-winning PlatteForum, she was rewarded with a master artist demonstration on collage and exploratory drawing at the Denver Art Museum.

Anderson considers herself part of the punk feminist aesthetic and has exhibited with artists such as Damali Abrams and Wynne Greenwood as part of the new feminist dialogue. Anderson was an instrumental founder and is currently the director at the respected artist run Ice Cube Gallery.

For more information, call 303-990-0391.

RMPBS Gets Excellence in Media Award

The Colorado Nonprofit Association announced that Rocky Mountain PBS is the recipient of the 2011 Excellence in Media Award. The statewide public television network was selected based on its role as a key partner in addressing public issues and raising public awareness, as well as encouraging engagement that has led to community-based solutions.

“For 50 years, Rocky Mountain PBS has been a part of the Colorado community, committed to providing quality educational television to all Coloradans,” said Gary Drews, board chair of Rocky Mountain PBS and the CFO of the Colorado Health Foundation. “This honor is a tremendous testament to the network’s unwavering mission.”

Rocky Mountain PBS will be honored at the association’s Nonprofit Week Luncheon on March 12, at the Marriott City Center in downtown Denver. Rocky Mountain PBS was chosen from among a field of nominees that included media professionals and media companies, such as radio, television, newspapers and online news services that have made a significant impact on the nonprofit sector.

Each week, 1.2 million people throughout Colorado turn to Rocky Mountain PBS to discover inspiring local, national and international programming; find diverse viewpoints; score front row center seats to world-class performances; and experience lifelong learning opportunities. Rocky Mountain PBS celebrates its 55th anniversary on the air this year. The network began in Denver in 1956 as Colorado’s first public television station.

For more information, visit rmpbs.org.

Women are Beautiful Opening at DAM

The Denver Art Museum (DAM) presents a selection of 50 photographs from the museum’s permanent collection of Garry Winogrand: Women are Beautiful.

The masterworks are culled from the hundreds that Garry Winogrand took of women on the street, a selection of which were published in the 1975 book Women are Beautiful. The exhibition will be on view January 29 through July 8, in the Delisa and Anthony Mayer Photography Gallery on level seven of the North Building.

“Winogrand is one of the great American photographers who changed the way we think about photography,” said Eric Paddock, DAM curator of photography. “His photos of unposed subjects act as small windows into a time of great change in our society. There were no special studio lights or makeup, just honest photos of people going about their daily lives.”

In the late 1960s and early 1970s Winogrand explored the creative possibilities of photographing on the streets or in crowds. When he sensed the composition of a picture falling into place, Winogrand would quickly raise his camera to his eye and take candid photos of anonymous people. He used a 35mm Leica camera that enabled him to photograph quickly and freely.

Often he focused on women—in parks, getting into cars, at parties, exiting stores—creating photographs that highlighted the changing role of women and, at times, the uncertainty of their new place. Winogrand took hundreds of photographs like this, and in 1975 a small selection was chosen for Women are Beautiful. The DAM has a substantial group of these masterful photographs in the museum’s permanent collection.

Garry Winogrand, 1928-1984, was born in New York, where he lived and worked during much of his life. Winogrand photographed the visual cacophony of the city street, people, rodeos, airports and animals in zoos. These subjects are among his most exalted and influential work.

For more information, call 720-865-5000 or visit denverartmuseum.org.

PlatteForum Seeks Ceramic Arts’ Materials

Jessica Kreutter is a ceramic and mixed-media artist fascinated with spaces that are in-between, somewhere between reality and fantasy. During her residency at PlatteForum she will create small, fragmented installations using found, discarded objects and porcelain.

Jessica will lead a series of intense Learning Labs with ArtLab students, where they will create a large, imaginary environment down to the tiniest detail. If you have materials to donate, we would be very grateful.

Materials needed include: clay: approximately 150 lbs low fire white/grey (CT# preferred, Willow or Ash); clay tools: needle tools, blue rib, metal rib wooden carving tool; found tools: forks, knives, cheap brushes, dental tools, old CDs, anything with a pattern, rolling pins, variety of kitchen tools; spray bottles; aprons; towels; sponges; random selection of kitchen bowls; wood or drywall boards, approximately 18-inches square; and plastic dry-cleaner bags or drop cloths.

To loan or donate materials, email Judy or bring them to PlatteForum, January 9–13.

For more information, visit PlatteForum.com.

Animal Matters

Adopted Manatees Great All Occasion Gifts

Last year, Lisa Cartossa from Holt, Missouri, decided that since her two young nieces, Lily and Rose from North Carolina, had most everything they needed, she would adopt manatees as gifts for them. Lisa chose adoptees Paddy Doyle and Flash, who regularly winter at Blue Spring State Park, from Save the Manatee Club’s Adopt-A-Manatee program.

Manatees available for adoption can be viewed at savethemanatee.org/adoptees.htm. Two new manatees recently added to the list of adoptees are from Alabama: Zewie and Bama.

An annual manatee adoption costs $25, which is just a little over $2 a month, and includes a color photo of a real manatee, an adoption certificate, biography, membership handbook, and subscriptions to the Club’s newsletters featuring updated reports on the manatees in the adoption program.

Shipping is free within the US. Gift adoptions come with a personalized message. Or for a $35 tax-deductible donation, each new member will also receive Save the Manatee Club’s 2012 wall calendar, featuring spectacular manatee photos.

“When my nieces received their adoption packets, I was told you could not have heard two children screaming with excitement louder than they were,” said Lisa. “Immediately, the manatees’ pictures went on their walls. They knew about manatees, but Save the Manatee Club’s adoption program created this passion and enthusiasm in them that’s wonderful for me to share with them. I can’t tell you how thrilled my nieces are to get the newsletter addressed personally to them. They read every word front to back.”

Save the Manatee Club, a national nonprofit organization, was co-founded thirty years ago by singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett. Funds from the Holiday gift adoptions help with manatee rescue, rehabilitation, and release efforts; research; education and public awareness projects; conservation work to protect manatees and their habitat; and for programs in the United States, Central and South America, the Wider Caribbean, and West Africa. Manatees are listed as endangered at the state, federal, and international levels.

Patrick Rose, aquatic biologist and Executive Director of the Club, points out that manatees face tremendous challenges to their survival from human activities. “In Florida alone, since record-keeping began in 1974, more than 38 percent of manatee deaths where cause of death is known were human-related.

“It is imperative that we continue to educate the public about manatees in our waters. Adopting a manatee is a great way to learn more about this beloved species and make a difference in their lives.”

For more information, call 800-432-5646, or visit savethemanatee.org.

Pledges for Pets Telethon, Jan. 29

Sit … Stay … Watch … and make a pledge to support homeless pets at the Dumb Friends League on Sunday, Jan. 29. Tune in to the 14th annual Pledges for Pets Telethon, sponsored by Hill’s Science Diet, on FOX31/KDVR from noon to 5 p.m.

During the five-hour live broadcast, viewers will hear heartwarming stories as well as meet dozens of adoptable pets, including cats, dogs, rabbits and other small pets.

“Pet lovers will see the many ways the Dumb Friends League helps pets and people in our community,” said Bob Rohde, president and CEO. \

The Dumb Friends League hopes to raise $300,000 during this year’s telethon. The pledges raised will help provide care for thousands of needy cats, dogs and other small animals. The private, nonprofit organization spends approximately $300 for each homeless pet, including shelter, food and medical care.

“We need the community’s support now more than ever,” said Rohde. “Any dollar amount, whether it’s $10, $25 or $100, will have a direct impact on the pets and people we help each day.”

Last year, more than 19,000 animals were adopted to new homes or returned to their owners by the Dumb Friends League. In addition to adopting homeless pets, the region’s largest animal welfare organization offers other services, including lost and found, humane education, behavior training, foster care, animal cruelty investigations and donor-subsidized spay/neuter surgeries for pets in underserved areas.

The Pledges for Pets Telethon will be hosted by FOX31 on-air talent, including Melody Mendez, Mike Headrick, Shaul Turner and Ken Clark. Denise Plante and Murphy Huston of KOSI 101 will also help emcee the telethon.

For more information, visit ddfl.org/telethon or call 303-751-5772. See ad below.

Cat Tricks for Clicks Training

Who says you can’t teach an old cat new tricks? Commands like sit, roll over and high-five are just some of the tricks that cats learn in the Dumb Friends League Clicks and Tricks class, which starts the second Wednesday of each month.

It’s a common belief that cats cannot be trained. The Dumb Friends League debunks this myth, offering this four-week course that aims to improve the perception of cats as responsive pets and strengthen the bond between them and their owners.

“Cats are intelligent and receptive to training, just like dogs and other animals,” said Ursa Marr, associate behavior manager for the Dumb Friends League. “This class is a way to showcase a cat’s ability to learn and perform, while offering an opportunity for cat owners to have fun training and interacting with their feline friends.”

Clicker training involves marking a desired behavior with a click sound and rewarding the animal for that behavior. During the Clicks and Tricks orientation, cat owners learn basic clicker-training techniques and how they can be applied to their own cats. With the guidance of knowledgeable staff, owners teach their cats how to sit on command, roll over, give a high-five and stand up on their hind legs, among other advanced behaviors.

“Clicks and Tricks shows that cats can be trained to perform desired behaviors,” said Marr, who also clicker trains adoptable cats in the shelter. “This class also helps cats become well-adjusted companions, provides their owners with practical tips about typical cat behavior and addresses common problems.”

Clicks and Tricks is offered monthly at the League’s Quebec Street shelter, located at 2080 S. Quebec St. and costs $40, which benefits the Dumb Friends League. Classes meet weekly for four weeks, and all classes begin at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Feline students must be at least 18 weeks old.

For more information, visit ddfl.org or call 303-751-5772.

Across the Bridge to LoHi & Highland

Happy New Year LoHi Merchants in 2012

The LoHi Merchants Association hopes that all area merchants enjoyed a successful 2011 Holiday Season. Thank you all for your enthusiastic support and participation in the Holiday Lighting and Wreath Decorating campaign. It sure helped put everyone in the Holiday Spirit.

The next LoHi Merchant meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 30, at 5:30 p.m., at Laughing Latte (32nd and Tejon).

From Lu Stasko, The Stasko Agency, 3216 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211,
303-477-9902.

Navajo St. Arts District

Navajo Street Art District at 37th & Navajo includes four art galleries: Pirate, Next, Edge and Zip 37; plus Clear Creek Jewelry Academy; Bug Theatre; and Patsy’s Italian Restaurant. Free Parking is available in the lot on the Northwest corner of Navajo and 37th.

There is an opening every Friday at one or more of the galleries. Galleries are open every Friday, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. On Valentine’s Friday, February 10, we are offering an art walk down Lover’s Lane, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with great food, entertainment, art and gifts for you and your sweetheart.

For more information, visit navajostreetartdistrict.com.

Mid Mod & More – New Year Inventory Rotation Sale

Mid-Mod & More is OFFERING UP TO 40% OFF selected items of their current inventory to make room for the NEW YEAR ROTATION - Huge savings with after holiday sales.

Mid-century furniture, accessories, vintage barware, clothing, lighting, kitchenware, artwork and so much more.

Don’t forget the FIRST FRIDAY PARTY, every first Friday evening of the month from 6:00pm – 11:00pm.

Located at 1716 Boulder Street in Denver (80211). Just around the corner from Linger, Lola, and Little Man Ice Cream – and a couple blocks from Root Down. A variety of mid-century and vintage modern furnishings coupled with fantastic local urban and contemporary art makes this retro gallery a gem not to be missed.

Contact Mid-Mod & More by calling 720-291-0175 or online at www.MidModAndMore.net (& .com)

Search “midmodandmore” on craigslist home page for inventory ads.

Plenty of parking in the lot behind the building off Central Ave. Alley

11:00am – 7:00pm daily (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)

 

RedPeak Properties Proposes West Highland Residences

RedPeak Properties today announced that the company is moving forward with many of the design recommendations that have been presented by the design advisory committee (comprised of neighborhood residents and merchants) for the proposed West Highland Neighborhood mid-rise residences The design of the mid-rise project is well within Denver zoning requirements – a concern expressed by some citizens – and will greatly complement the neighborhood’s history, tradition and charm.

“The West Highland neighborhood is obviously a special part of Denver, with a unique character and charm,” said Mike Zoellner, CEO of RedPeak Properties. “As Denver continues to grow, the neighborhood will obviously become a more desirable place to live, and we want to make this new project ultimately successful for everyone involved, primarily the people who comprise this great community, both today and in the years to come. We are working diligently with the design advisory committee to develop a design that will meet the needs of this growing Denver neighborhood in the most graceful and functional way possible. These buildings are not high-rise, but rather a mid-rise design that will fit the context of the neighborhood well.”

Some of the key aspects of the West Highland neighborhood residences include:

The project will include three, five story mid-rise buildings that will likely be lower in height than the 65’ roof peak of the iconic church that will be preserved and become an important part of the project

The project will incorporate design elements from the historic character of the neighborhood.

The project currently meets all of Denver’s carefully considered zoning requirements (for MS-5). The Planning and Development staff of the city has confirmed that there was a comprehensive and inclusive process that lasted several years when the sites were down zoned several years ago. Red Peak Properties is contemplating a structure that is lower height and density than has been allowed in the zoning code since 1961.

The project will contribute to business in the West Highland neighborhood, with more visitors to local shops and restaurants. RedPeak Properties is also planning more parking spaces on the project’s site than is currently required by zoning.

The project will be LEED certified, and RedPeak Properties is pursuing a B-Cycle bike share station and a car sharing location within the project that would be available to the entire neighborhood.

“Denver is a popular place, and the ability to provide quality development to neighborhoods like West Highland will be critical as the city continues to grow,” said Mr. Zoellner.

 

Go Green

Some Thoughts About Food Culture

By Silvana Vukadin-Hoitt

Recently, I met up with a couple from Italy passing through Denver and other big name cities for a PR tour of America. They run a resort and cooking school where they come from and are not incidentally interested in how we eat. I imagine they will want to give feedback to their customers and friends once they get back home. I saw their website and their quaint operation on the Adriatic Sea looks charming and inviting. I sure do hope they have a good time and it leads me to wonder what they will think of us once they’ve gone.

Since I lived in Italy for many years, I can vouch that the way we eat in America is very different from the food culture there. In the States, we relish in the faster pace and love the fast food nation we have become. We don’t like to go to the trouble of spending too much time in the kitchen. To Italians though, the kitchen is sacrosanct. There is no need for a “structural overhaul” of the food system that is often talked about in our daily news. There is no “rampant child obesity” caused by inactivity and processed food that is eaten everywhere in the US.

One of the reasons they don’t have these problems is that Italy still has small farmers and butchers, bakers, sheep herders, vegetable growers, small dairies and cheese mongers, to mention just a few enterprises. Fresh food grown sustainably is the norm, not something that needs a ‘movement’ to attract attention to it. Every day you can see small markets offering fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as independent grocery stores that do a booming business selling deli meats, locally sourced food and wine, fresh pastries and breads. Restaurants know their farmers and who butchers their pork cutlets. Living ‘the good life’ by sourcing real food, from real people, instead of factories is everyday life, ingrained in their culture. Anyone that has been to Italy has experienced what I am talking about.

So, why am I talking about Italians in my ‘green’ column? Well, making their acquaintance made me think about how I would show off our own local food culture. Sitting at the foot of the Rocky Mountains our visitors will surely experience Denver as unforgettable. They will no doubt delight in our spectacular views and sunny winter skies. They will see the museums, Botanic Gardens and the Micro breweries, even Coors Field and Buffalo Bill’s Grave. After that, unless they spend their entire visit skiing our majestic mountains, where should they engage in that favorite Italian and American pastime, mangiare?

Past the Starbucks, the Outback’s, the Malls, the All-you-can-eat places, the fast food mecca’s and Mexican dives, how will they experience our local food? Sure, there are loads of restaurants everywhere but the food served is not necessarily a showcase of Colorado products. Fewer in number but important to the local and organic scene are the venerable farm-to-table restaurants in and around the city that have been in the forefront of the Colorado food movement. I feel the European travelers will want to experience some of that.

Italians are known for their reverence of the earth and the fruit that comes from it, especially the wine. So I really would like our guests to feel that as Coloradans we too are proud stewards of the land. I’d like them to see that we have the food to prove it. I want them know that we support our local, smaller scale agri-oriented enterprises. There is, I told them, a fresh food revolution that is struggling to emerge right beneath our noses on the Front Range. It would be nice to see a strategy of supportive infrastructure geared towards those who are interested in hand craft traditions, like artisanal bread baking, common just a few generations ago. But I didn’t mention that. They probably won’t notice what is lacking and just go with the good stuff available.

I’m not too worried. We show up pretty good, what with the sheer physical beauty of where we live; the snow capped mountains, the pristine lakes, the hiking and biking and especially, the friendly people - those are the stars of Colorado. I’m just hoping the Italians find our local food culture something to write home about in addition.

Silvana Vukadin-Hoitt, is a creative entrepreneur and currently lives in Denver. She writes a monthly column for The Denver News and advocates for sustainable living.

B-cycle Season Scores 202,000 Rides

Denver B-cycle, Denver’s citywide bicycle sharing system, has successfully closed out its second year. With Kaiser Permanente as presenting sponsor, Denver B-cycle grew tremendously in number of riders and number of trips taken while remaining similar in footprint during its longer second season.

After launching the 2011 season on March 14, Denver B-cycle reached 202,731 rides by December 9, nearly doubling total rides as compared to last year’s inaugural season. Denver B-cycle is going into winter hibernation to make operational adjustments, complete systematic bike fleet maintenance, and to make system IT enhancements. The system will reopen in March. A total of 28 to 30 stations will be installed in City Park West, Capitol Hill, Golden Triangle, South Broadway, and Highlands.

“We are thrilled that more people are riding a B-cycle more often. We achieved a 29.6-percent increase in the number of riders and 96.9-percent increase in the number of rides, all with basically same system as last year,” says, Ken Gart, Chair of the Denver Biking Sharing Board.

For more information, visit denver.bcycle.com.

HEALTH IS WEALTH

Beaming White: A Brighter, Whiter Smile

ired or self-conscious of your dull, yellow-stained smile?

Instead, do you desire a new confidence-building, dazzling white smile – ensuring a winning first impression for a special date or job interview, or just a feel-good New Year pick-me up? And, you want this new smile right away, and at a reasonable cost, and with assurance that it is safe and long-lasting?

If this is you, get yourself immediately to the Beaming White Advanced Teeth Whitening studio in Downtown Denver at 535 16th Street Mall across from the new H&M store for a quick – 30 minutes max - cosmetic double teeth whitening. Guaranteed to make your smile 5 to 10 shades beautifully whiter and brighter and for only $99 – a savings of $50! All you need to do is bring the coupon (this page) and your dull smile. You’ll walk out the door with the brilliant smile you’ve been wanting.

“Give us half your lunch hour – and we’ll give you something to really smile about”, says Jeff Hammerberg, co-owner with Merlin Parker. And, we always welcome walk-ins, he adds.

The Beaming White smile is a new cosmetic teeth whitening concept that utilizes an activated water-based hydrogen peroxide gel that is painted on the teeth. The gel bleaches the stains on the teeth to match your natural or desired teeth color. The gel is not a stain, but rather is a natural teeth whitening product made with organic, plant and mineral-based ingredients. It is made in the US at facilities inspected approved by the FDA. Although the gel is the strongest available on the market for cosmetic dental use, there are no side effects or tooth or gum sensitivity; and it can be safely used with crowns, caps, and dentures.

Because the gel is painted right onto the teeth, there are no annoying strips, painful trays, or overnight treatments. The gel is applied by trained and licensed Beaming White technicians in their beautiful, contemporary, comfortable, private studio. The gel is activated by the most technologically sophisticated teeth whitening retractor lamp in the industry. Based upon your whitening treatment program, teeth porosity, and individual life style and eating habits, your Beaming White smile will last between 6 months and two years.

At the studio, you can pick-up several products enabling you to maintain your new bright smile including whitening pen, complete oxygenation system, and an at-home treatment kit. Also available are gift cards that are great year-round, but specially for your Beaming White Valentine’s Day smile.

Jeff strongly reminds that the Beaming White process is not a substitute for regular dental check-ups, professional teeth cleaning, and good dental hygiene practice. If a dental problem is seen, a visit to the dentist is always recommended before any whitening procedure is started.

“That’s it”, says Hammerberg, “We’re offering convenience with immediate results at a fraction of the cost of a traditional dentist - a beautiful Beaming White smile giving you a youthful, healthy appearance that is simple, safe, and affordable”.

For more information, visit DowntownTeethWhitening.com or call 303-534-1988. See ad below.

Stay Healthy and Happy in 2012

by James N. Martin, Jr, MD

The beginning of a new year is a great time to get your priorities in order and to set goals for the next 365 days. ACOG urges women to put health at the top of their 2010 to-do lists. Remember these healthy living tips:

Aim to eat a balanced diet rich in a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lowfat dairy, and lean protein. According to the US Department of Agriculture, a 35-year-old woman who gets 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day should eat a 2,000 calorie diet consisting of 6 ounces of grains, 2.5 cups of vegetables, 2 cups of fruit, 3 cups of low or nonfat milk or milk products, and 5.5 ounces of lean meat, fish, and beans. Additionally, cut back on sodium, fats, processed sugar and refined grains.

Regular physical activity helps increase overall well-being while lowering the risk of diabetes, osteoporosis, some cancers, and other illnesses caused by inactivity. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week to lower the risk of chronic disease; 60 minutes on most days to maintain weight; and at least 60 to 90 minutes on most days to lose weight. A well-rounded exercise regimen should be fun, sustainable, and include cardiovascular, strength training, and flexibility components.

Despite the numerous dangers of smoking—increased risk of heart disease, infertility, early menopause, and more than 10 different cancers—one in five American women still smoke. Quitters gain an improved sense of taste and smell, better circulation, easier breathing, and less hoarseness. They also reduce their risk of heart attack by 50 percent within a year of quitting.

Alcohol has been linked to both positive effects such as improvements in heart health and bone density and negative ones including an increased risk of breast and other cancers. If you drink, try to keep it to less than one alcoholic beverage a day.

Your body repairs and regenerates tissue, builds bone and muscle, and strengthens its immunity while you sleep. Not getting enough sleep may cause short-term problems such as irritability and memory loss and long-term conditions including diabetes and heart disease. The average adult should aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night.

Women should see their doctor regularly for preventive care. Routine visits to the ob-gyn help ensure women receive age appropriate screenings, exams, and immunizations, and they allow physicians to identify and treat common problems before serious health risks develop.

For more information, visit acog.org/For_Patients.aspx.

Save Lives Improve Your Health

In September, Dianna Cillessen arrived at Exempla Lutheran Medical Center anticipating the birth of her second child. After carrying her baby for 39 weeks, she delivered a healthy, 8 lbs. 3oz. boy named Beau. Then the unexpected transpired. With no warning, Dianna began to hemorrhage. For the next few hours a team of doctors, nurses, and medical professionals worked at a furious pace to keep Dianna alive.

While the average adult holds approximately 12 units of blood in their body, Dianna received 41 units that day. At one point, Dianna had no blood pressure, no pulse. Dianna experienced an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE). Most women, including women who’ve had children, have never heard of it because AFE is so rare that most physicians will never encounter it in their professional careers.

Due to the amazing skills of the medical staff and the 41 unknown blood donors, Dianna survived this traumatic experience. It is no wonder that Dianna’s anesthesiologist told her, “You are a miracle!” It took the right combination of professionals and citizen donors to save Dianna Cillessen and bring Beau’s mom home.

While the most obvious benefit of donating blood is the wonderful feeling derived from giving something vital to someone who needs it, the benefits of donating blood may extend far beyond this to having a positive impact on the donor’s health. Here are some of the possible benefits as a result of you regularly donating blood:

Each time you give blood, you lower the iron levels in your body which can help reduce the risk of heart disease. High blood iron levels have the potential to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease because iron accelerates the oxidation process of cholesterol in the body, which damages arteries.

When you donate, you could impact your cancer risk. According to a long-term study that was conducted on over a million Scandinavian blood donors, the more an individual donated blood, the lower their chance of developing some types of cancer, according to Miller-Keystone Blood Center. The study pointed to blood donation lowering cancers of the liver, lungs, colon, stomach and throat

By donating blood, you replenish your blood supply. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center reports that when you donate blood, your body replaces the plasma volume within 48 hours of donation and all of the red blood cells you lose during donation are completely replaced within four to eight weeks.

Someone needs blood in the US every two seconds and one pint of blood can save up to three lives. The need for blood increases during holidays and summer months. Donating is easy and only takes about an hour.

For more information, visit bonfils.org or call 303-363-2300. Courtesy of Dianna Pruden, MT (ASCP) SBB, Blood Bank and QA Manager at Exempla Lutheran Medical Center.

Planned Parenthood Opposes Personhood Initiative

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains is disappointed in the recent decision by the state Title Setting Review Board to unanimously motion in favor of Personhood Colorado’s push to place a so-called personhood amendment on the 2012 ballot. Today’s effort will make it Personhood Colorado’s third attempt since 2008.

“Opponents of the measure challenged Personhood Colorado’s presentation to the Title Board, stating that their proposal is not consistent with the state’s single-subject clause for citizen-driven ballot initiatives. Planned Parenthood agrees with this claim. Although we believe that the outcomes of 2012 proposed measure would be just as dangerous as the previous two attempts, the new language in the 2012 measure appears to create a plethora of new problems that will require additional legal analysis.

“The new language undoubtedly touches on multiple subjects, which fly in the face of the Colorado Constitution. In fact, the 2012 proposed measure, arguably goes much further than the ballot measure Colorado voters defeated in the 2008 and 2010 elections.

“While Personhood Colorado believes it has addressed the concerns of Colorado voters and answered questions of past attempts, the new ballot language actually poses more questions and greater legal ambiguity. This new language is merely a smokescreen for Personhood Colorado’s real agenda, which is to restrict a woman’s ability to make personal, private medical decisions about her own body.

“Planned Parenthood, in conjunction with the coalition group that defeated Amendment 62 in the 2010 election, is determined to defeat Personhood Colorado’s third attempt to take health care options away from women.”

For more information, visit ppm.org.

Reign in Tech Unleash Mind

This year resolve to use technology as a tool to help run your life rather than allowing yourself to be overrun by it, advises Mark Underwood, a neuroscience researcher, president and co-founder of Quincy Bioscience of Madison, Wisconsin.

Have you ever thought that you live in a world where you feel constantly distracted? Do you feel stuck in a maze of technology overload? Are you constantly checking email and voice mail and can’t seem to stay away from one screen or another: TV, videos or computers for very long? If that sounds like you, you’re not alone. One in three Americans says they are technologically stressed. For better or worse, our daily routines have become ever more entwined with technology.

Living in the fast lane of today’s technological advances has some people feeling like they’re running on empty, every day, all day. You might even feel like a character in Alice in Wonderland. In Lewis Carroll’s famous classic, the topsy-turvy world of Alice is described in a warning. “You have to run as fast as you can to stay where you are.”

In a recent study conducted by Cambridge University, they found that nearly a third of the study’s participants described feeling overwhelmed or overrun by technology. Keeping up with technology has some people on the run to buy the latest gadgets. Computers continue to get smaller and faster, and with each new product generation, we tend to integrate even more technology into our daily lives.

If too much technology usage is causing continuous stress its time to look at how you can adjust the cyber overload in your life. Could spending an inordinate amount of time in front of a computer screen be bad for your health?

An overload of stress can lead to numerous health problems; it can lower immune system response, increase blood pressure, lower productivity and introduce a menu of other maladies we have all experienced from time to time. Our society swirls around a constant stream of information. We are inundated with a deluge of sources, from thousands of TV channels to billions of internet pages. We live in an age of search engine results sent to our computers within a quarter of a second. Alice could understand why so many of us feel overrun and lost.

How best to manage technology-related stress?
How do you cope with stress of keeping up with the ever-changing world of cyber space? One word: triage. There is simply too much to do and too much to learn to tackle at once. Our lives are busy enough without adding the stress of technology.

Triage means prioritization to make sure the biggest problems are taken care of before moving on to less important concerns. We have to cultivate a relationship with technology and identify our strengths and stressors. Try decreasing cyber stress this way: Take time to think what may be causing you stress. Remember that computer technology is all about making things work faster. It’s up to you to slow down and evaluate what you need to lower the stress.

Narrow your scope on the worldwide web. Instead of being inundated by information and trying to handle to all, narrow your web browsing to a more comfortable selection. This is the sidewalk view versus the highway view.

In general, technology should be making your daily life a little bit easier-not the other way around. Setting goals for how much you want to learn or undertake is a good strategy for not becoming overwhelmed. Incorporate new technology slowly. Take your time, ask for help, and watch out for rabbit holes.

For more information, visit TheGoodNewsAboutAging.com.

Story Contest for Alzheimer’s Families

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 5.1 million people 65 and older have Alzheimer’s disease. They likely will lose one of their most treasured possessions: memories. The I Will Remember for You Family Reunion Giveaway contest recently launched by the Home Instead Senor Care® network can help those families keep their memories alive.

Submit a story in either written or video format about your experience with a family member living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias for a chance to win a family reunion. Essays and videos need to:

Share how Alzheimer’s has impacted your life. Talk about the role that memories and remembering have played in your family, especially with regard to your family member who now has or had Alzheimer’s. Share specific stories or examples of how you and your family members cope or coped with challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. Tell why you deserve to win this family reunion.

Entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST January 31, 2012. Three finalists will be notified by a judge’s panel by February 15. Online voting to select the grand prize winner will occur from March 28 through June 30.

The I Will Remember for You Family Reunion Giveaway contest’s grand prize winner will have the opportunity to experience an unforgettable family reunion. The event, funded by Home Instead, Inc., the franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care network, will include activities to help family members create and capture special memories together such as a scrapbooking and shadow box station, a memory booth to capture videos, photos or written thoughts, and assistance from a professional family historian to create a family memory anthology.

Attendance of the family member with Alzheimer’s disease will be left to the discretion of the grand prize winner. If the individual with Alzheimer’s does not attend, the Home Instead Senior Care network will arrange for a local office to provide the family member with in-home care services during reunion activities.

“We hope this contest will help turn some of the negative aspects associated with this disease into proactive projects that will preserve family memories for generations to come,” said President and Chief Operating Officer Jeff Huber of Home Instead, Inc. The grand prize winner will be revealed in November, following the family reunion event.

For more information, visit rememberforalzheimers.com and helpforalzheimersfamilies.com.