06 July 2010
When Badgers Fly...Updated!
15,000 Wisconsinites bothered to bestow the name of "Buddy" on their flying badger. (See this link to our former post)
Beats "Bella" and certainly beats "Cookie". Frontier won't disclose the actual vote totals, though, so we are left to wonder if this was on the up-and-up. Denver by the Slice would like to hear if flying with a badger is, or is not, an improvement. All planes should have animals on them. Don't you think? Buses, too. But, not driving.
01 July 2010
Outstanding Art All Around Us!
One of the great benefits of Denver's Biennial of the Americas, opening tonight, is the springboard it provides for galleries and artists to show off some great works and shows. And, the opening parties were a work of art themselves!
Here in our own neighborhood, the Museum of Contemporary Art opened a gallery wide new show titled "Energy Effects": Art and Artifacts in the Landscape of Glorius Excess. Phenomenal works by various artists, including a working replica of a particle accelerator, by Jim Sanborn.
Across Delgany, Capsule has an ambitious exhibit all month called Objectophilia, curated by Lauri Lynnxe Murphy. That show also takes the first floor of the new building across 15th, next to the Light Rail tracks. Lots of talented artists including Bill Amundson and Phil Bender. In the middle of it all, the landing pad of a '68 Chevy Nova, looking like it could be just a bad suburban driver visiting Downtown on a Friday night. But, it is actually a collaborative work of the MCA and DOCA, inspired by a photograph by Gonzalo Lebrija.
And, new shows at Robischon (Wazee between 17th and 18th) and Plus+ Gallery (25th and Larimer). All month, good exhibits worth multiple visits. And, the Biennial is going on, too!
Here in our own neighborhood, the Museum of Contemporary Art opened a gallery wide new show titled "Energy Effects": Art and Artifacts in the Landscape of Glorius Excess. Phenomenal works by various artists, including a working replica of a particle accelerator, by Jim Sanborn.
And, new shows at Robischon (Wazee between 17th and 18th) and Plus+ Gallery (25th and Larimer). All month, good exhibits worth multiple visits. And, the Biennial is going on, too!
Street Watch: Fourth of July Fallout Alert!
This weekend has a shortage of Downtown street closures...and an abundance of Downtown fireworks. The only closings found by Denver by the Slice are around the Civic Center. Saturday, look for closures on 14th Street and Bannock for Saturday night's Independence Eve Concert with the CSO in the Greek Theater. Some marches, some anthems, some American classics and the obligatory 1812 Overture, still by Tchaikovsky. Followed by fireworks.
On Sunday afternoon, look for 14th to close at Stout for the Civic Center-based 30th National Veterans' Wheelchair Games Parade.
And, our beloved Rockies will fill the stands for the game, then the sky BOTH Friday and Saturday night after playing the Giants. Lots of good places to watch. And, the Rockies' fireworks look especially good reflecting off the downtown buildings. We're looking forward to see how they look bouncing off the new Xcel headquarters at 18th and Larimer. The closer you are, the louder they are!
There you are. Baseball, fireworks, 4th of July and the 1812 Overture. 'Bout as American as you can get!
On Sunday afternoon, look for 14th to close at Stout for the Civic Center-based 30th National Veterans' Wheelchair Games Parade.
And, our beloved Rockies will fill the stands for the game, then the sky BOTH Friday and Saturday night after playing the Giants. Lots of good places to watch. And, the Rockies' fireworks look especially good reflecting off the downtown buildings. We're looking forward to see how they look bouncing off the new Xcel headquarters at 18th and Larimer. The closer you are, the louder they are!
There you are. Baseball, fireworks, 4th of July and the 1812 Overture. 'Bout as American as you can get!
30 June 2010
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!
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!
25 June 2010
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.
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.
23 June 2010
Invasion of Red Sox Nation!
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.
22 June 2010
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!
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!
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