Denver and Stapleton Events

Wednesday June 27, 2012 is Bike to Work Day in Denver, and participant registration is now open on the Bike to Work Day 2012 website.

The website includes bike routes and brakfast stations, and allows riders to create grou rides or find buddies to ride with. You can also buy a t-shirt or check out the prizes available to win!

According to DRCOG (the Denver Regional Council of Governments), nearly 24,000 people rode their bikes to work for the 2011 event, and they are hoping to have even more participants in 2012.

Colorado State Representative Beth McCann, whose district includes part of Stapleton, is holding a Town Hall Meeting to discuss Health Care Reform.

When: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm

Where: Park Hill Library, Community Room, 4705 Montview Blvd

Topics: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) as it affects Colorado, The ACA's individual mandate, and Health Exchage Programs

Speakers: Patty Fonteneau (Executive Director, Colorado Health Benefit Exchange) and Bob Semro (Health Policy Analyst, Bell Policy Center)

This town hall meeting is sponsored by Rep Beth McCann (CO HD8). For more information, please email beth@bethmccann.org or call 303-866-2959.

Location: Sam's Club Parking Lot,  10am - 2pm 

Electronics - Metech   
Item fees:

• Batteries: $2 / lb
• Computer Monitors: $10.00
• TVs up to 32”: $18.00
• TVs over 32”: $1.00 per diagonal inch
• All other Electronics: $1.00
• Keyboards, Mice, IPods, PDAs, Cell Phones, Handheld Games: FREE  

Shredding (documents, hard drives, DVD, CD, floppy disks) - Cintas  
There will be a $5 fee per person.

Latex Paints - Paint Genius
Accepting reusable latex in good condition.  The paint needs to be in its original can with a readable label. Will not accept intermixed paint.  The recycling fee is $2 per container or $2 per gal in the case of a 5-gal bucket.

Moving Boxes - The Kearns Team, RE/MAX of Cherry Creek   www.BuildingStapleton.com
Reuseable moving boxes - must be flattened. Note that this is not cardboard recycling, only useable boxes. If you have extra boxes, bring them - if you need boxes, take some.  FREE

Plastic Grocery Bags - other small plastic bags without holes, such as from bread, deli, etc.
We will donate these to poop scoop locations around Stapleton

Pet Food and Accessories - The Urban Farm at Stapleton  

Home Furnishings: Furniture, Appliances, Tools, Plumbing Fixtures, Building Materials (nails, wood, etc.) - Go Green Warehouse - Veterans Green Jobs
FREE  - furniture should be gently used

Bicycles and accessories - The Bike Depot  

Plastic only Flower Pots, Flats, Containers - City Floral  

Books
will be donated to Park Hill Community Bookstore

Car Seats
out of date car seats, will be taken to a recycling facility in Golden (this is not a donation of good car seats)

TerraCycle items - SUN
These items will get you an entry for the $50 Whole Foods gift card

A message from the Stapleton Master Community Association

Last weekend's SNL...Kids' Night Out event was incredibly successful!  We had a great turnout and we are so excited to host this event once again this Saturday, March 3.

This weekend will include similar activities and dinner will be provided!  Parents, remember to pack your child's swim-suit and towel for the pool!  Kids will be allowed to access the Central Park Rec Center's pool facility.  We will also have a variety of arts and crafts, the hamster ball, booger wars, and other fun activities!

This event kicks off at 6:00 p.m. and will end promptly at 9:00 p.m., so please plan accordingly to assure you are there on time!

Pre-register your kids through the Stapleton MCA, either online or in-person.  Tickets will be sold for $10 until Friday, March 3. Tickets will be sold at the door for $15, but tickets are limited and are only available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  We are planning to have a much larger turnout this weekend.

Give yourself a break from the kids and purchase your tickets today!  Many Denver restaurants still have reservations available for 5280 Restaurant Week.  Pick your menu and book your reservation today at http://www.denver.org/denverrestaurant/.

To register for the event, please click on the link: Saturday, March 3

Please join Councilman Christopher Herndon, Councilman Albus Brooks, City Librarian Shirley Amore and members of the Denver Public Library Commission for a sneak peek at the new Sam Gary Branch Library due to open in mid-2012.

• When: January 28 at 1:00 pm
• Where: 2961 North Roslyn Street (Southeast corner of Roslyn Street and 29thAvenue in the Stapleton Town Center)
• What: An up-close and personal look at the construction progress of the new Branch Library!

The new branch library was recently named after Sam Gary, who has been dubbed by the Front Porch as “the key community member in Denver who brought the new-urbanism planning concept to the redevelopment of the old Stapleton airport.”  He is an upstanding citizen and philanthropist who dedicates much of his life to help economically challenged inner-city children through his foundation, the Piton Foundation, as well as contributing to early childhood education and healthcare programs. 

In an effort to ensure the quality programming, materials and faculty for the upcoming library; The Denver Public Library is offering the community an opportunity to purchase beautifully engraved sandstone pavers as a special way to memorialize your family or business outside of the new Sam Gary Branch Library in Stapleton.  For more information on purchasing a paver or to learn about interior naming opportunities, please contact Brenda Ritenour at 720-865-2046 or britenour@denverlibrary.org.

Up With People, the international educational and cultural program, is looking for families to host cast members during their four-week stay in Denver, January 6 – February 6, 2012.

Host families are asked to provide a bed, breakfast, dinner, and limited local transportation (bus or light rail passes will be provided to cast members if needed). Cast members are out in the community during most business hours Monday through Saturday – Sunday is considered “Host Family Day.” This is an opportunity for families to connect with other countries and cultures while sharing your community.

Host families receive two complimentary tickets to the February 3rd show in Denver. More information is available on the Up With People website.

If you are interested in hosting, please contact Shawna Reed at 303-408-4143 or email her at sreed@upwithpeople.org

Well, the weather forecast for Friday in Denver is calling for highs in the mid 60s, but winter is coming to Stapleton as the Master Community Association hosts the annual Winter Welcome Celebration Friday evening, November 18, from 6:00 to 8:00pm.

One Stapleton's most popular events, the Winter Welcome includes open houses at many East 29th Avenue Town Center businesses, refreshments, carolers, and of course the first night of the community's holiday light display (planned for 6:15pm). According to the MCA website, 

29th Avenue will be closed from Noodles east to Roslyn Street. We will close the street at 2:00pm to have time to setup the event. Booths will be setup in the street and fountain area around the tree. These booths will include a roasted almond vendor, fire pits complete with s’more makings, hot chocolate, light necklaces, a DJ and much more.

We will have two “dancing” trees, complete with music and passing out candy canes courtesy of the [Greater Stapleton Business Association]. There will be carolers strolling up and down 29th Avenue. Biker Jim’s, Crockspot, Gigi’s Cupcakes and the Bon Bon Buggy will be selling yummy treats so bring a few extra dollars.

The MCA will be selling tickets for $2 at their booth in front of Noodles, and all proceeds from the same of s'mores, roasted almonds, and light necklaces will benefit the Bluff Lake Nature Center, Sand Creek Regional Greenway, and Girl Scout Troop 653.

Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt in Stapleton (Quebec Square) is hosting a fundraiser tonight, Monday 9/12 to benefit the Denver Language School.  25% of purchases between 6:00 and 8:00pm till be donated to the school.

Please support DLS and enjoy some great frozen yogurt!

For more information on Denver Language School, please visit their website.

Here's the scoop on two recycling events coming up in the Denver / Stapleton area:

On Tuesday, August 30, the Colorado Association of REALTORS is holding an electronics recycling event from 7:30am to noon at the Brentwood Center, northwest corner of Evans & Federal Blvd. The recycling service will unload your vehicle for you, certify that all personal information and data have been destroyed and properly dispose of all electronic and toxic materials. Price is $25 per vehicle (limit one monitor/screen) and proceeds go to support the REALTOR® Political Survival Fund. For a list of items you can recycle, click here.

On Saturday, September 3, Stapleton United Neighbors is sponsoring a multi-item recycling event from 10am - 2pm, in the Sam's Club Parking Lot at 7805 East 35th Avenue. Among the items accepted at the SUN event are electronics, paper (for shredding), mattresses, paint, furniture, clothing, and batteries.  The Kearns Team from RE/MAX of Cherry Creek will be joining in for another Moving Box Exchange (bring your used moving boxes, or pick some up for a future move). For a full list of items you can recycle at the event, and costs, click here. there will also be food sales on site and prize drawings!

Are you wondering what to do this weeend? Are you just counting the days until the Great American Beer Festival comes to Denver (it's September 29 - October 1, in case you were don't know). Well how about coming to an event that features 15 breweries, 8 food vendors, 2 concerts, and a great neighborhood? 

It is the 2nd annual Stapleton Beer Festival, and it happens this Saturday, August 20, from 4:00 to 8:30pm! Click on the poster for more information.

After the great success of last year's Stapleton Beer Festival, how could the Stapleton Master Community Association top itself this year? Come out on Saturday and find out! Fifteen Colorado breweries are participating, including some great craft brewers that you may not know (yet). Here are the list of participants:

Getting Hungry?  Well, there will also be 8 food vendors on site, and your ticket price includes food coupons for the vendors!

Oh, did I mention that there are also TWO concerts going on? Opie Gone Bad will perform from 4:00 to 6:00pm, and Chris Daniels and the Kings are on from 6:30 to 8:30pm... and the concerts are free! If you don't want to taste the beers, you are free to come and listen to the music. Beer, soda, and water will also be available for sale.

Tickets are $30 through August 18, or $35 day of event. For more information, please visit www.StapletonCommunity.com or call the Stapleton MCA at 303.388.0724.

That's right kids (and grownups), go play inthe street!

This Saturday, August 14th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Denver's 23rd Avenue will be closed to auto traffic from City Park to Stapleton.  Denver residents are pretty used to street closures for construction, but this time the street is being closed so we can get out and play!

The celebration is called Viva Streets, and it is being sponsored by LiveWell Colorado and Bike Denver. Instead of cars, 23rd Ave will be taken over by bikers and pedestrians wandering down the street to enjoy parades, food vendors, musicians, and more. Here's a map of the 'party zone' with markers of what is happening along the route.

Learn more about Viva Streets by visiting the LiveWell Colorado website!

It's a wrap!  The 6th Annual Stapleton Community Garage Sale was held this past weekend, and it was another successful event.

At final count there were 330 homes registered to take part in the Garage Sale this year, another record turnout. This year the sale covered both Saturday and Sunday, with good turnouts both days. Assuming an average of about $300 per home (we heard stories of some sales generating over $1000!), that's about a $100,000 economic impact to the neighborhood over the weekend.

We also heard from the Denver Children's Advocacy Center that they collected over 11,000 pounds of donations after the sale.  Over the three years that we've partnered with DCAC, they've collected over 40,000 pounds of donations!

The 2012 Stapleton Community Garage Sale will take place on the weekend of July 20-21, 2012.  See you then!

Most Stapleton residents know that the Colorado Rapids' '4th Fest' fireworks show is visible throughout the neighborhood, but where is the best place in Stapleton to view fireworks... and when are the shows?

The Colorado Rockies' fireworks shows at Coors Field on FRIDAY JULY 1 and SATURDAY JULY 2 should also be visible from Stapleton. Shows begin after the Rockies' games against the Kansas City Royals. Games start at 6:10pm and the fireworks begin 45 minutes after the games end (probably between 9:30 and 10:00pm). For more info visit the Rockies website.

The sledding hill in Central Park (not to mention the parking lot at Northfield Stapleton) should be packed this SUNDAY JULY 3 (not on the 4th) to watch the show put on by the Rapids and Commerce City. The show will begin after the Rapids' game vs the Houston Dynamo. Game starts at 7pm, expect the fireworks around 9:30pm. You can also make a day of it at 4th Fest - activities begin at 4pm. Get more info at www.4thFestColorado.com.

You might not be able to see it from Stapleton, but a free concert and fireworks show on SUNDAY JULY 3 features the Colorado Symphony at Civic Center Park ( 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, across from the City and County Building). Lawn seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The concert starts at 8:00pm and the fireworks are scheduled for 9:15pm.

One more show on SUNDAY JULY 3 is hosted by the Denver Outlaws lacrosse team at Invesco Field. Billed as 'Denver's largest fireworks show,' the pyrotechnics will start after the 7:00pm game.  More info is available at www.DenverOutlaws.com.

And finally, there actually will be fireworks in Denver on July 4! Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park is offering live music and entertainment on SUNDAY JULY 3 and MONDAY JULY 4, with fireworks shows capping off both days. Visit Elitch's website for more info.

These are just a few of the dozens of professional fireworks shows throughout Colorado. Please be careful this holiday weekend and remember that every type of firework - including sparklers - are illegal in the City and County of Denver.

Following up on a few requests that we've received, we're making a change for this year's Stapleton Community Garage Sale.  Some residents expressed concern that the Saturday / Sunday split by location was inconvenient for their schedules, or that they were afraid they wouldn't get enough traffic on their assigned day.

So, here's what we are going to do:

• The sale will still be held, as scheduled on Saturday July 16 and Sunday July 17.
• Participants can pick which day (or both) they want to hold their sale.
• We will note the day(s) of each participant's sale on the map and list that we publish.

This should address everyone's concerns, and should help us to gauge the traffic level each day in preparation for next year's sale. The online registration form has already been updated to add a 'which day' section, and everyone who already signed up has been contacted to update their info.

Thanks for participating!

Recognition of Denver as a leading 'green' city keeps rolling in.

A few months after HGTV built the 2011 HGTV Green Home in Denver's Stapleton neighborhood, a study conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit has ranked Denver as the fifth greenest major city in the U.S. and Canada. The study also noted that Denver, ' ...is the top performer overall among mid-income cities in the index.' Commissioned by Siemens Corp, the study examined the environmental performance and policies of 27 cities to create the 'Green City Index.'

According to the Study, Denver ranked first in 2 of 10 categories (Energy and Environmental Governance) and in the top 10 of 4 more (Buildings, Transport, Water, and Air). Denver's investment in mass transit was highlighted in a section of the study titled, 'Denver: From T-Rex to Fastracks - an integrated mobility concept.' 

Oddly, one of Stapleton's strengths was noted as a weakness for Denver. According to the study, Denver was '...marked down for having the smallest amount of green space in the index as a proportion of its administrative area - just 3% versus the index average of 12%.' By contrast, fully one-third of Stapleton's 4700 acres is dedicated open space.

The full survey is available here.

Rotary Club of Denver Stapleton – Pancake Breakfast

Sunday, June 19th (Father's Day)
At the Stapleton Farmer's Market at Founder's Green (29th between Roslyn and Syracuse) 

The Rotary Club of Denver Stapleton will host thier annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, June 19th at the Farmer's Market.  Bring your families (and appetites!) for pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice.  Rotarians will be serving breakfast from 8:30am – 11:00am.

Suggested donations are $5 for adults, $3 for ages 3-11, and children 2 and under are free.

Proceeds from the Pancake Breakfast support...

End Polio Now – a campaign to directly support immunization in developing countries where polio continues to infect and paralyze children.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards - Each summer the Rotary Club of Denver Stapleton sponsors area students to attend a leadership training program for young people.  Our Rotary Club spends $800 to sponsor two students from area schools to attend a week-long leadership camp with other students from across the Front Range.

ShelterBox – this year a ShelterBox will be on display.  Each box costs $1,000 to assemble and ship anywhere in the world.  It provides shelter and one month's worth of food & supplies for a family of 10 people.

Rotary International is the world's first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate polio under the motto Service Above Self.

Registration is underway for the 6th annual Stapleton Community Garage Sale!

Sponsored entirely by Diana and Michael Kearns, the Kearns Team at RE/MAX of Cherry Creek in Denver, and first held in 2006 with about 75 homes participating, the Stapleton Community Garage Sale has grown to over four times its original size and in 2011 it is expanding to 2 days!  

When is the 2011 Stapleton Community Garage Sale

Saturday, July 16, 2011 from 8:00am to 1:00 pm (homes West of Westerly Creek)
Sunday, July 17, 2011 from 8:00 to 1:00 pm (homes East of Westerly Creek)

Where is the 2011 Stapleton Community Garage Sale

Individual sales at homes throughout Stapleton. A list of homes participating (with a map) will be created and posted here a week before the sale, and there will be signs posted throughout the neighborhood. We expect to begin distributing the signs around June 10.

Stapleton Community Garage Sale Registration and Cost

All costs of organizing and advertising the sale are paid by Diana and Michael Kearns, The Kearns Team, RE/MAX of Cherry Creek. It is our way of saying Thank You to the Stapleton community.

To register, visit the garage sale page on our website at www.BuildingStapleton.com/GarageSale.

If you have additional questions, please check out our Stapleton Garage Sale FAQ page and our Garage Sale Tips page... and if you need more information, you can email us at GarageSale@BuildingStapleton.com.

The Food Network will be filming for season 2 of 'The Great American Food Truck Race' this weekend in Denver!

Exact location for the trucks seems to be hard to come by.  It looks like participants are not allowed to tweet or facebook their locations directly, but they are partnering with local vendors who CAN make announcements!

 DenverStreetFood.com seems to be doing a good job of posting updates as soon as info is known.

The Food Network hasn't confirmed the participants, but here's what the blogs are saying:

• Hodge Podge, Cleveland, Ohio
• Korilla Barbecue, New York
• Roxy's Grilled Cheese, Boston, Massachusetts
• Devilicious Food Truck, San Diego, California
• The Lime Truck, Irvine, California
• Seabirds, Orange County, California
• Cafe con Leche, Van Nuys, California

Tickets are now available for public tours of the 2011 HGTV Green Home in Stapleton!

Tours will be held Thursday through Sunday,  May 5 through July 3.  Hours are 10am to 6pm Thursday through Saturday and Noon - 5pm on Sundays.  Tours begin every 30 minutes, and leave from the Stapleton Discovery Center at 7706 Martin Luther King Blvd, Denver CO 80238.

Tickets are $20 each and benefit Urban Peak.  Space is limited, and demand is high, so get your tickets early!

Buy tickets at Blacktie Colorado.

Happy Valentines Day!

Last week, at a Stapleton development update presentation, I caught some new information about the schedule for tours of the 2011 HGTV Green Home!

We're still a couple of months away, but I wanted to share what I learned:

• The Green Home Tour show will air on HGTV beginning April 16
• VIP events will be held in the home from April 21-30
• Public tours will begin on May 5 and run through July 3.  Tours will be held on Thursday - Sunday (plus Memorial Day) and will be from 10am to 6pm (except Sundays, when they will end at 5pm).  Sounds like the tours will cost $20 per person, with proceeds benefitting Urban Peak.  According to their website, Urban Peak 'helps homeless youth and youth at risk of becoming homeless overcome real life challenges by providing essential services and a supportive community, empowering them to become self-sufficient adults.'

For more information about the 2011 HGTV Green Home in Stapleton, visit the HGTV website.