Last Day for an Old Friend

Triage is closing today. You know Triage, David Scott's fine little clothing store for men and women that he has run for 29 years in Writer Square. Triage is closing today and it is a shame.

David came to this tough decision a few weeks ago when faced with an outlandish rent increase from the new Square owners. You know the ones. They recently spent a bunch to take away the interior of Writer Square, one of Denver's first truly mixed-use developments. Now, with trees and plantings mowed down, the whole square suffers a bit of tackiness and clutter. With many empty spaces.

A lot of those empty spaces came in the office tower. That translated to lost professional customers for Triage. Any retailer will also tell you how important the surrounding stores are to bring the right people to an area. The new owners of Writer Square have put two new tenants near David - Sprint and Subway. Hardly the right types for the quality he so well nurtured in his collections and service.

David Scott is from a big family in Oakley, Kansas and he has run marathons all over the world. This 29-year marathon of Triage has come to the finish line. But, we suspect our good friend will find another race to run successfully. Stay tuned!

Street Watch: Lull Before the Storm

More heat than street this weekend Downtown. As we said, last week, we'll do our best to bring you any potential interruptions to your mobility caused by special events or street closures through the Downtown neighborhood. Here is this weekend's short list...followed by a special comment on last week.

The only street closures we can officially find: Lawrence between 19th and 20th for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival at Sakura Square, through Sunday 6/27; and, 14th and 15th partials between Court and Curtis for a 5K Run event, but only Saturday morning until about 10:30. And, as we mentioned previously, 15th Street from Little Raven west is a total mess.

The Rockies have left town for a few days after nearly sweeping the red Sox in three very entertaining games. All sold out. It should be relatively easy to get around. The annual "Heat Festival" seems a week early.

Last weekend, even Denver by the Slice was surprised by the closing of Wynkoop Street between 15th and the creek. Saturday, a law firm which offices on the street, invited 400 of its best friends for a party, with a band and lots of balloons. But, they failed to notify the neighborhood of the event...and  they totally blocked  the access to Manny's Bridge and the bike paths from Wynkoop. Unnecessary. The City requires that affected residents sign off on such events. That's why the Lower Downtown Neighborhood Association is so diligent about getting all the resident buildings and businesses to sign off for their events, like the upcoming "No Garage Garage Sale" on August 28th at the same location.

Last week's event was "permitted" but not correctly so. It has been noted.

What also bothered Denver by the Slice was the release of several hundred helium balloons from the party. Seems the kids were having a good time watching them float off (often in bunches of several dozen) towards Eastern Colorado and Western Nebraska where they litter the landscape and present a real hazard to wildlife. They may add a lot to a party, but balloons don't look so good wrapped around a goose's neck. They should know better. The party people. Not the geese.

Invasion of Red Sox Nation!

The mall is jammed! The shuttles are jammed! The ballpark is jammed! Even the hotels are jammed! With the rare invasion of Red Sox fans, and closet Red Sox Fans already here, it feels like a playoff.

For the businesses downtown, the words of SNL's Garrett Morris: "Beisbol bin bery, bery good to me!"

One new arrival, with suitcase, was wearing shorts that exposed a large graphic vertically arranged spelling of "B-O-S-T-O-N" tattoo on his leg. If found, we will know where to return him.

Salvation in the Form of Good Coffee Coming Back Downtown!

We wrote about the closing of Peet's in January here at the slice. Now, we can happily report that Peet's is coming back. A new space is announced in the Sheraton Hotel, on the Mall, between Court and Tremont.

This is, perhaps, the best news of the day. Peet's is back. Except we don't know when it will open. But the Slice will find out and let you know, too. You won't have to take a bus ride to Cherry Creek for great coffee!

Civic Center Eats! Every Tuesday this Summer!

Like the Steuben's Truck (pictured), Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs, Denver Cupcakes and Moe's Barbeque? See them and more every Tuesday between 11 and 2:30 at the Civic Center. Good food, good shopping, good causes and live music. This is a great mid-day break for people Downtown. Or, if you like, an excuse to ride the Mall Shuttle. Spotted: Boston Red Sox fans!

Coming Soon to a Street Near You!

Denver by the Slice is starting a regular feature to alert residents and fans of Downtown Denver to upcoming events and street closure issues. How many times have you gotten up on Saturday morning to find you were imprisoned on your block by a parade, march, run or massive walk that closed the streets? Worse...how about cheerleaders under your window?

Well, we hope to help you know in advance of something coming up Downtown.

The largest event of the weekend is the Pridefest at the Civic Center through Sunday, June 20. This is a very colorful event that includes lots of music and a couple of parades along East Colfax Saturday and Sunday. Pride abounds!

On the other side of Downtown, Saturday, June 19, the Highland Street Fair will occupy West 32nd Avenue between Lowell and Perry.

Next weekend, June 25-27, is the annual Cherry Blossom Festival at Sakura Square, around 19th and Lawrence. And, don't forget to dodge the bikers Wednesday, June 23 on Bike to Work Day. They can be as tricky as cars, especially when they ride while texting or talking.

Street construction-wise, many projects are on-going, but it appears they are starting in earnest on the re-alignment of Larimer between 15th and 17th. It's not easy making a street narrower. Wewatta, behind Union Station remains under siege, and 15th Street from Little Raven west is a mess. Especially near 15th and Little Raven as a demolition project is well under way at the Northwest corner.

And, finally, look for sell-out Rockies crowds Tuesday through Thursday evenings when they host the Boston Red Sox for the first time since the short 2007 World Series. Red Sox Nation is a scary thing...especially driving!

Gelato Returns to Downtown, and Not a Moment Too Soon!

Welcome, Amore Gelato, on the Mall between Welton and Glenarm. Bruce Koeller spent two years bringing this business to life in what was a sunglass store. Thank him! If there is anything we don't need more of Downtown, besides Starbucks, that would be sunglass stores. We have Gelato now, and we are happy.

Gelato is more dense than ice cream which is full of air, and gelato has about half the fat and less sugar. Gelato originated in Italy, of course, and it is ubiquitous there. We had gelato in Larimer Square for a while with Gelazzi, but that business melted away. There is gelato around Downtown (Little Man, Red Trolley), but it is always best if close by. And, close by is important for gelato because it is typically made fresh in small batches. Bruce makes his in the kitchen upstairs from his shop.

The traditional flavors are all good. The pistachio is solid. The sorbettos light and great for summer. During the Democratic National Convention a couple of years ago, the most asked question on the mall was "Where can I get some ice cream or gelato?" Now we know. Tip: try the original Honey Sunflower Gelato, Bruce's culinary invention. And, a personal favorite that will conjure up memories of the Good Humor truck driving down your street...Dreamsicle! Take some home.
(Photo: Copyright Diane Huntress)

LoDo Lights Gaining an International Reputation!

"Current 3" by Virginia Folkestad

First one, now three international electronic magazines are running illustrated articles about our very own LoDo Lights, the light art installation on Manny's Bridge. That, of course, is the pedestrian bridge over Cherry Creek at the end of Wynkoop Street. The lights are interactive and have been pleasing passers-by since March 6, 2009. Originally meant to be a temporary installation, the artist, city and neighborhood association agreed to keep it on.

Now, the buzz is getting around the world! You can see the Enlighter Magazine article following this link. Lots of pictures and information about what goes into public light art. And, lots of other neat light art projects from all over the world. Enlighter is an Australian based publication focusing on lighting, lighting design and lighting architecture. Since their article appeared, similar publications from Greece and the United States have picked up on the story as well.

Diane Huntress managed this initial LoDo Lights project. The title is "Current 3". The artist is Virginia Folkestad. The funding came from the neighborhood and with the assistance of the City of Denver Office of Cultural Affairs. Lights on and well worth your re-visit. Remember to stand back and watch the bridge "breathe" when it thinks no one is looking!

     Photo Copyright Diane Huntress

7th Year of Mixed Taste Begins Friday at MCA!

Denver by the Slice was in the audience of 12 people at the very first Mixed Taste Tag Team Lecture in 2004. That was at The Lab in Belmar. Created by Adam Lerner, now the Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art/Denver, 15th and Delgany in LoDo. We can all be glad that he brought this series with him to our neighborhood!

Mixed Taste pairs two 30-minute lectures from experts on entirely diverse subjects. And, then the question and answer session opens up to both subjects at the same time. And, it can get pretty wild. This season starts with "The Birth of the Cocktail" and "Irrational Engineering." Next Friday, June 25, look for "The Alpaca" and "Nuclear Missiles."

Ciro Najle will handle the engineering session this week. Jake Adam York, the Cocktail. York is a popular lecturer in this series, and rightfully so. Over the years he has waxed poetically on jazz, barbeque, single malt scotch, American whisky, Southern Food...and poetry, among others. These programs, for the next 10 weeks on Friday's at 6:30 usually sell out. But, you can still check ticket availability at the MCA website.

About 250 people attend the programs now. And, you can purchase adult beverages before and after. If you are lucky, often, the programs contain lecture materials such as free subject samples. When the series began, Adam gave away everything to get people there. Now, it is a pleasure to get in!

By the way, the subjects for that very first Mixed Taste in 2004: "Surreal Cinema" and "Brunello Wines." Perfect combination. Lakewood didn't know what had hit them!

Weekend Assignment: Pick Your Table!

So it might be rainy out this weekend, but you can still think about your favorite Downtown patio table. Denver by the Slice wants to know what you like. We have some favorites and you probably do, too.

For instance, just about any of the high tables on the Wynkoop Brewery's Wynkoop porch provide a perfest perch for Friday evening people watching. Not to mention good beer. Rumor has it that in about a week you may see a gorilla driving a horse delivering beer from that spot.

The corner outside table at Dixon's patio often contains LoDo residents, sometimes with their dog. It's a great view on either the Mall or Wazee.

On Rockies game nights, the elevated bar spots outside The Keg at 19th and Wynkoop put you close to the action. And, just about any table on the patio at Crepes 'N Crepes works as a good spot to see friends, share some wine and practice your French.

And, for a distinctive view of LoDo, the Cafe on the top floor of the Museum of Contemporary Art has some wonderful outside tables, coffee, lunch, adult beverages and late hours on Friday's.

What places do you like? Send your comments to our email, or just post them here. The reward is your enjoyment! Bon Weekend!

Let's Ban Bagpipes Blaring Between Buildings!

There's a time and a place for everything. Bagpipes, for instance. They sound fine in the St. Patrick's Day Parade. They sound appropriate marching through a crowded McCormick's on the same day. Limit one!
Bagpipes sound marvelous every April at the St. John's Episcopal "Kirchen o' the Tartan" service in that huge gothically acoustic space. And, a bagpipe never sounded sweeter than the single piper emerging from dense fog one year at the Houston Open as a tribute to the colorful Payne Stewart who had perished en route.

But, please, not for dinner. A piper has taken up residence at the corner of Lawrence and the 16th Street Mall. And, frankly, it is annoying. If you are trying to enjoy a meal of crepes, a glass of French wine, and friends across the way...you are tested. This piper seems only to know three tunes. And, they play over and over and they echo and echo around between the buildings. We are all for street musicians, but there should be some limits. Pianos, great. Guitars, fine. Peruvian mountain bands, yes. Bongos, close. But, bagpipes, please no.

We find that we are not alone in attitude toward this irritant. There are whole web pages of jokes about this misguided instrument. For instance: "Why do pipers march while they play?" Answer: "To get away from the sound!"

We should be able to organize our LBBBBB movement, before the carriage horses get really nervous. And then the food, wine and friends will all be better. Until the heavy metal rock group shows up.

Beach Gets Music, Deserves a Name!

We need to name the beach. Our own Downtown Beach. No, that's not a good name. We are talking about the little spit of sand (when the water is low) that becomes overrun every warm weekend at Confluence Park. The season of Confluence Concerts, which starts this year on July 1, overlooks that beach.

First the music. The Greenway Foundation presents a series of four outdoor/on the lawn concerts July 1, July 8, July 15 and July 22. Each concert is 6:30-8:00 and food and beverages and adult beverages are available. This is a fun program covering blues, zydeco, jazz and swing, respectively in the schedule.

But, back to the beach with no name. Here are some off the wall suggestions from our editorial panel. Let's hear your ideas (or complaints)! "Drifter's Landing," "Plage Fideaux," "La Playa," "Flush," or, a sponsorship opportunity such as, "Chase Bank Beach at Confluence." They could even put in an ATM. And, the Greenway Foundation could get the big sponsorship fee and help out all the rest of their fine river projects that make living Downtown so enjoyable!

Walking with RTD and the Union Station Hole-in-the-Ground Gang!

From RTD this morning, an announcement that Walking Tours of the Union Station Redevelopment Project will be offered free to the public. This is a joint effort of DUSPA, USNC and RTD. If you know your acronyms, you know this is pretty much everyone involved in the massive project.

The tours are at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, June 17, July 15, August 18, and September 16. One hour in length, they will focus on some of the history and lore of the historic station, the scope of the transit redevelopment project and views of the actual construction. You have to call 303-592-5462 to sign up, as groups are limited to 25 people each. They'll meet at the Wynkoop Street entrance to the station.

If you are a real construction-aholic (you know who you are), sign up for more than one. And, if you are like some people who want to experience RTD, but you are afraid to ride a bus, this walking could be the answer.

Cheers! The Weekend has Arrived!

Activity and traffic Downtown last weekend were a little over the top. Parade, Baseball, Day of Rock, Art. All well and good...but did you notice how crowded (especially the Mall) it was? This weekend offers just as much opportunity to do things, but more on our side. No baseball (Rocks are in Arizona staying inside), no art fair (just the Chalk Art Festival at Larimer Square which assures us of at least one thunderstorm), no parade, and only one big night of outdoor music (the annual Friday night summer series starts at Rock Bottom, 16th and Curtis).

Of course, if you are so brave as to venture just out of Downtown, to the Civic Center for instance, you can dip your birkies into the Capitol Hill People's Fair on Saturday and Sunday. This was a very enjoyable event when it was held on the Esplanade in front of East High School. But, that was at least 20 years ago. Now, it's more like Cinco de Mayo with more yoga, or the Taste of Colorado with less fat.

You could go the other direction, down Cherry Creek to Confluence, cross the bridge and enter Denver's lycra showcase, the Starbucks at REI. Now, this is truly a wonderful place to sit...under the trees and by the river. The bike-by crowd changes constantly. And, many of your friends will probably wander through. Try the herbal tea with lemonade. Starbucks is much better when they don't use coffee in their drinks.

But, the scene in front of you may make you wonder. The river will be full of people, dogs, babies, baptisms, rafts, inner tubes, and the occasional loose hot dog wrapper from the vending cart above. Have you ever really wanted to be in that water? Do you watch sometimes what floats in that direction from our own Creek upstream? Enjoy the breeze through the trees and the sound of rushing water trying your best not to think about all those people treating the area as Coney Island.

And, while you are just in the neighborhood this weekend, enjoy one of the patios or try one of the BCycles (they are all over downtown. Check this link). Drop by Swing Thai, now open on Sundays from 1-8. And, pick up a nice bottle of wine from Jed at Wines off Wynkoop, in the alley behind the Tattered Cover. Enjoy the warm, and less-crowded weekend ahead. But, be careful crossing the streets!