Saturday, September 28, 2013

Lakeside Amusement Park Denver

Lakeside Amusement Park is a family-owned amusement park in Lakeside, Colorado near Denver. Originally named White City, it was opened in 1908 as a popular amusement resort adjacent to Lake Rhoda spearheaded by prominent Denver brewer Adolph Zang. Eventually the name was changed to Lakeside Amusement Park, but the local populace kept referring to it by its original name for its glittering original display of over 100,000 lights. Today it is one of the oldest amusement parks in the United States, and the oldest in Colorado in its original location. The park, comprising nearly half of the Town of Lakeside that it was responsible for creating in 1907, features the landmark Tower of Jewels.

The lone remaining American amusement park to have had the name White City, the park was originally built in the Exposition and White City architectural styles. Following its acquisition by Ben Krasner in the 1930s, Lakeside underwent a period of major renovations and incorporated many new features in the Art Deco style. Architect Richard L. Crowther designed much of Lakeside's Deco and Modern features and included a great deal of neon lighting in his work.

There are many examples of architectural salvage to be found throughout the park. Inside the main restaurant is a marble and mirror backbar which was saved from the Denver Union Station, one of the picnic pavilions is created from a retired center column of a ride, and the pool for the current Skoota Boats ride is an adaptive reuse of the original Shoot-the-Chutes ride.

The main office features a functioning manual telephone switchboard that is still in use.
A nominal admission fee is charged for each person entering the park. Children under the age of two are admitted free. A coupon is issued to each person paying admission that can be redeemed for a ride coupon or be used towards the purchase of an unlimited ride pass. There are three entrances: a rarely used west gate accessed from the former Lakeside Mall parking lot, a drive-through auto gate accessed from Sheridan Blvd. and a walk-in entrance at the Tower of Jewels. The admission fee is collected at these entrances; ride coupons and unlimited passes are sold inside the park. This fare structure is a frequent source of confusion for first-time visitors. Many patrons think that they are paying for parking because the admission fee is collected at the auto gate before the vehicle is parked. Consequently some people will turn around, park outside and try to walk in through the auto gate, only to be stopped and directed to one of the cashiers, who then need to explain that parking is always free and that it costs the same to enter whether they drive or walk in. In contrast to, for example, Palisades Amusement Park, which had a chronic shortage of parking space, there is ample parking available at Lakeside and the spacious lot rarely fills up completely.

At one time, each ride was priced individually and had its own separate ticket booth. Most of these booths were of the standalone type. One notable exception was the Cyclone coaster, which had a built-in ticket booth between the entrance and exit ramps. Eventually, ride coupons were implemented with a fixed amount for each coupon, and each ride required from one to six coupons. Coupon sales were consolidated at four locations - the train depot, the carousel, the Ferris wheel and Kiddy Play Land. Unlimited ride passes are sold at the carousel, Ferris wheel and Kiddy Play Land. Many of the original ticket booths are still in place and are used for storage.

The 22" gauge lake-circling miniature railwaytrain features the steam train locomotives "Puffing Billy" and "Whistling Tom" from the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair along with the world's first miniature gauge diesel locomotive, patterned after the California Zephyr.
The 1908 carousel was apparently made up from used figures from other carousels. Many of the animals bear characteristic designs of famed woodcarver Charles I. D. Looff. The carousel has also been credited to the Parker company, but the Lakeside horses do not have the typical Parker metal horseshoes.

Original rides in the park which are no longer around include the Shoot-The-Chutes (a splash-down water ramp ride) at the park's south center, the Scenic Railway at its southern end (an elevated track over a mile long), the lofty Velvet Coaster, the StarShip 2000, Flight to Mars, a Coney Island Tickler, the Double-Whirl, a Ferris wheel and the Circle Wave. W.H. Labb of Indianapolis designed the Shoot-The-Chutes and Velvet Coaster, the latter he intended to be a combination of the Foster coaster at Chicago's White City and a type of figure-8, with framework 1,200 feet long and with dips and turns a total 3,600 lineal feet. The Scenic Railway, the Glide and other attractions were destroyed by a fire on November 15, 1911. The skeletal remains of the Staride, a former Ferris wheel-type ride on the north side of the park, still stand. The sign for the old Speed Boats attraction, plus the pier for boarding, also stands vacant with a rope to keep trespassers away.

From the late 1930s through 1988, Lakeside Amusement Park operated Lakeside Speedway on the park grounds. The auto racetrack was a 1/5 mile oval and featured races of three car classes sponsored by CARC: stock, limited modified and fully modified. The race track was built on the site of the park's original baseball diamond and incorporated the original stands into the new use. The degrading track remains today.

Through 1985, there was a Funhouse located on the site now occupied by the Dragon. The Funhouse featured an animated Fat Lady mannequin (Laffing Sal, also known as Laughing Sal) that signaled the opening of the Funhouse and the main park in the evening by loud laughter. Inside, there were slides, moving floors, spinning discs, rolling barrels, and catwalks.

While not considered a ride per se, there was a Casino Theater just south of the Tower of Jewels. Concerts, plays and dance marathons were held there while it was in operation. The building is still in place and is used for storage. Also still in place is the old Riviera ballroom.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Denver History through a Beer Glass

Denver History Through A Beer Glass

From the rough and tumble saloon days to 2009's inaugural Denver Beer Fest, the Mile High City and beer history are intertwined through the ages. For more than a century, Denver has reigned as the king of beers. Explore Denver history through a beer glass ...


Denver's Early Years and Early Beers

Denver and beer go back a long way - right back to the city's founding in 1859. The miners and pioneers who flocked to the new city after gold was discovered in the Platte River were a thirsty bunch - Denver's downtown was thick with saloons and barrooms. The hub of all most activity was Larimer Square. In fact, the first city government was formed - where else - in a saloon called the Apollo Hall in Larimer Square, which you can check out for yourself at 1425 Larimer Street. Denver's early residents might have been a little too thirsty in those days - one of the first laws enacted by that city government was an ordinance prohibiting the selling of liquor on the streets or from wagons or tents.


Coors Conquers Colorado

Beer history of monumental proportions was made in the area when a young German immigrant by the name of Adolph Coors (who came to America as a stowaway aboard a ship) founded the Coors Brewery in Golden in 1873. His amber concoction, brewed with fresh Rocky Mountain water from natural springs surrounding the brewery, became a favorite among locals, earning it the name "Miner's Banquet." Coors Beer didn't remain a local secret for long. Over the years, it became one of the largest manufacturers of beer in the U.S., and was family-owned until 2006. But some things never change: Coors still uses the same 44 natural springs that dot the company property to brew its beverages.
Visit the MillerCoors Brewery in Golden, take a 30-minute self-paced tour through its malting, brewing and packaging processes, and sample some fine Coors beverages afterwards.


Denver's Dry Years

Prohibition first struck Colorado in 1916, then the entire nation in 1920. Even so, Coors found ways to survive for 18 dry years, including converting the brewery into a malted milk manufacturer. Denver, meanwhile, found ways to keep enjoying beer, albeit in a more discreet fashion. The Miller Building at 1401 Larimer St., was once Gahan's Saloon, a legendary watering hole and poker hall for politicians, policemen and city hall reporters. During the dry years, Gahan's Saloon became Gahan's "Soft Drink Parlor" as a cover for the Denver's hottest speakeasy, which operated out of the basement.


Microbrewery Explosion

Perhaps it was inevitable that Denver's long beer history would give rise to a population filled with beer lovers - including some who would even begin brewing and selling their own beverages. As a result, Denver has become known as the "Napa Valley of Beer" - on any given day, more beer is brewed in Denver than in any other city in the U.S. Today, there are 15 brewpubs and microbreweries in downtown Denver including the two of the largest in the nation: theWynkoop Brewing Company and the Rock Bottom Brewery. Interesting beer fact: Denver elected one of the Wynkoop's founders, John Hickenlooper, mayor in 2006. Coincidence? Colorado got on board last year, too, when they elected Hickenlooper to the office of state governor in 2010. With so many unique and tasty brews to try in the Mile High City, it's no wonder Denver has become the go-to metropolis for beer connoisseurs all over the globe.


Great American Beer Festival

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, there is no other place on earth where a beer aficionado can find more beers on tap than the Great American Beer Festival (GABF), held each fall in the Mile High City for more than a quarter of a century now. Over the course of three days, close to 50,000 beer-lovers tour America's brewing landscape, one ounce at a time, by sampling more than 3,000 different beers from more than 600 of the nation's finest breweries. The GABF, which is held annually in Denver's Colorado Convention Center, gathers practically every type of beer from all of the regions of the country, arranged geographically on the festival floor. The 2013 festival, Oct. 10-12, promises to be bigger and better than ever. More info atwww.greatamericanbeerfestival.com.


Denver Beer Fest

A new chapter in Denver beer history was written in 2009, with the first annual Denver Beer Fest which took place at dozens of locations throughout the city. Beer tastings, brewer talks, fun interactive events and plenty of suds-centric activities were held in brewpubs and restaurants, of course, but also in theaters, art galleries, museums, and other unconventional venues. The 2013 event takes place Oct. 4-12.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Great American Beer Festival

A nine-day celebration of all things beer, including beer tastings at local restaurants, beer-paired dinners and “meet- the brewer” nights.

Great American Beer Festival is the premier U.S. beer festival and competition. Each year, GABF represents the largest collection of U.S. beer ever served, in a public tasting event plus a private competition. GABF brings together the brewers and diverse beers that make the U.S. the world’s greatest brewing nation.

GABF was founded in 1982, and has been growing and evolving along with the American craft brewing industry ever since.

The Great American Beer Festival takes place at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Please visit the Travel section for hotel accommodations, public transportation, driving and parking information and to learn more about the area. More than 3,000 beers to choose from at the festival, you’re bound to find a flavor that amazes—or perplexes—you. There are many brewers around the hall, serving beers and answering questions. However, if you’re the type to pore over a course catalog before the semester begins, you’ll probably appreciate the Brewers Studio, You be the Judge and Beer & Food Pavilions.

Each pavilion offers a full schedule of talks featuring craft beer luminaries and experts discussing a range of topics, from barrel aging to beer and cheese pairing. Sponsored by Falling Rock Tap House, the Brewers Studio Pavilion focuses on the people and stories behind the world’s most interesting beers and breweries. For instance, you can taste 2012 GABF medal-winning beers, learn about Stone’s barrel-aging program or enjoy the always-raucous Brewers Feud.

If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, make sure to visit the Beer & Food Pavilion, sponsored by Yard House Restaurants, to learn about how you can integrate your favorite beverage into your next dinner party. Want to whet your appetite? How does barley wine and pig butter sound? If you aren’t feeling so adventurous, the Beer & Food Pavilion offers many other options, like beer pairings with Official Sponsor Snyder’s pretzels.

The festival is huge, but did you realize that there’s a competition happening behind the scenes with more than 4,300 beers and nearly 200 judges? Although the GABF competition isn’t open to the public, you can learn about the judging process at Cicerone’s® You Be the Judge Pavilion. There, you can also learn how to recognize beer off-flavors and participate in a mock beer judging.

But wait, won’t we miss out on the festival if we sit through these seminars? Not to worry! All pavilion talks are 30 minutes or shorter, and most include special tastings of beers that might not even be available in the hall. Added bonus: the Beer & Food Pavilion generally has tasty snacks to pair with the beers on tap.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Union Station Denver Colorado

Union Station is Denver, Colorado, USA's historic plan dresser at 17th and Wynkoop in the LoDo district. The station first opened in 1881.

Denver's first van office was constructed in 1868 to serve the new Denver Pacific Railway, which connected Denver to the main transcontinental files at Cheyenne, Wyoming. By 1875, there were four different railroad stations, sequences passengers transfers between different railroad lines inconvenient. To remedy this issue, the Union Pacific Railroad proposed creating one central "Union Station" to combine the various operations. In February 1880, the owners of the four lines (the Union Pacific, the Denver & Rio Grande Western, the Denver, South Park & Pacific, and the Colorado Central) agreed to build a column at 17th and Wynkoop Streets. Architect A. Taylor of Kansas City was hired to develop the plans, and the classification opened in May 1881.

A shine in 1894 destroyed the central slices of the 1881 depot. The Kansas City architectural boldness of Van Brunt & Howe was hired to formatting a larger substitute depot in the Romanesque style. Both the 1881 and 1894 depots included a tall central clock tower with four clock faces.

In 1912, the original Union Depot junction was dissolved and replaced by the Denver Terminal Railway Company, representing the then-major laborer of the rank (the Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe, the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy, the Chicago, Rock Island, & Pacific, the Colorado & Southern, the Union Pacific, and the Denver & Rio Grande Westen). The new mixing decided to demolish and rebuild the central portion of the class to crankshaft the increasing passengers traffic. The new central portion, designed by Denver architects Gove & Walsh, was built in the Beaux-Arts situation and opened in 1914.

During its heyday, the class was served by 80 daily caravan operated by six different railroads; however, pack of this was terminated at the time of the arrangement of Amtrak, which has since operated only one series daily between Chicago and the Bay Area, routed through Denver. Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad's Ski Train was operated until the conclusion of the winter of 2008-2009, at which time the attainment was discontinued. In September 2009 plans were announced to revive the service as a special limited route onset in December, but this did not happen due to insurance problems. Current passenger services include:

The new Union Station stop on the RTD Light Rail which opened in August, 2011. The MallRide was also moved west adjacent to the clarification bannister stop. On the far left are the consolidated main files railroad tracks.

Under a public/private consortium, the station and the surrounding 19.5 acres (79,000 m²) will soon be the hub of Denver's new FasTracks rail network, under the Regional Transportation District's master plan for the station site, officially known as the Denver Union Station. Eight teams of prominent architects, developers and engineers competed in 2002 for the massive contract to redevelop the station into a transit-oriented retail, office and residential complex, with a budget in the range of $900 million.
On February 1, 2011, Amtrak's passengers position and boarding dock was moved to a temporary castes at 21st and Wewatta streets, seat Coors Field, in lineup to allow structure of the commuter rails tracks and platforms.[10] This temporary relocation is scheduled to conclusion until fonts 2014, at which time Amtrak's services will protocol back to the newly constructed fare domain seat Denver Union Station.


The new igniting rails station opened on August 15, 2011.The new location is west of the former illustration bannister stations, and is adjacent to the consolidated main files railroad tracks and near the Denver Millennium Bridge. The westernmost stop of the 16th Street Mall shuttle, also known as the MallRide, was also moved west and is adjacent to the new nourishment bannister stop.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Denver Politics

While Denver electing are non-partisan, Democrats have long held a consensus sway on Denver politics with herd officials elected citywide owning Democratic Party affiliation. In federal elections, Denverites also tend to vote for Democratic candidates, voting for the Democratic Presidential examinee in every selection since 1960 (excluding 1980 and 1972). The domain of Denver's Mayor has been occupied by a Democrat since the municipal general variety of 1963. Denver is represented at the federal profile by congresswoman Diana DeGette, a Democrat representing Colorado's 1st congressional district, which includes all of Denver and parts of Arapahoe County.

Benjamin F. Stapleton was the mayor of Denver, Colorado, for two periods, the first from 1923 to 1931 and the assistant from 1935 to 1947. Stapleton was responsible for many civic improvements during his term, notably during his second stint as mayor when he had entrees to stock and manpower from the New Deal. During this time, the park outline was considerably expanded and the Civic Center completed. His signature project was the construction of Denver Municipal Airport, which began in 1929 amidst heavy criticism. It was later renamed Stapleton International Airport in his honor. Today, the airport no longer stands, but has been replaced by a neighborhood also named Stapleton. Stapleton Street continues to bear his name.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Denver was one of the epicenters of the Chicano Movement. The boxer-turned-activist Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales formed an foundation called the Crusade for Justice, which battled bad brutality, fought for bilingual education, and, hordes notably, hosted the First National Chicano Youth Liberation Conference in March 1969.

In recent years, Denver has taken a loci on helping people who are or become homeless, particularly under the administrations of mayors John Hickenlooper and Wellington Webb. Denver's homeless population is considerably lower than loads other adult cities, but residents of the city streets have suffered during Denver's winters. Although mild and dry much of the time, Denver's winters can have summary last of cold fever and changing amounts of snow.

In 2005, Denver became the first major city in the U.S. to make the private asset of less than an ounce of marijuana legal for adults 21 and older. The city voted 53.49-46.51 percent in favor of the earthenware legalization measure. This promotion does not usurp kingdom law, which currently treats earthenware direction in scads the same tools as a speeding tag with fines of up to $100 and no imprisonment time. The electorate of Colorado voted on and rejected a similar statewide refinements in November 2006. Denver passed an alleviation in the fourth section of 2007 enforcing the mayor to appoint an 11 fragment review panel to monitor the city's compliance with the 2005 ordinance.
Former Denver mayor John Hickenlooper was a organ of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition, an custom formed in 2006 and co-chaired by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston mayor Thomas Menino.

Denver hosted the 2008 Democratic National Convention, which was the centennial of the city's first hosting of the milestones 1908 convention. It also hosted the G7 (now G8) climax between June 20 and June 22 in 1997 and the 2000 National Convention of the Green Party.

On October 31, 2011 it was announced that The University of Denver in Denver was selected as the swarm of the first of three 2012 presidential debates to be held on October 3, 2012.
The City and County of Denver levies an Occupational Privilege Tax (OPT or Head Tax) on employers and employees.

If any employee performs convention in the city limits and is paid over $500 for that handling in a single month, the employee and employer are both liable for the OPT regardless of where the main undertaking legislature is located or headquartered.

The employer is liable for $4 per employee per month and the employee is liable for $5.75 per month.

It is the employer's liability to withhold, remit, and line the OPT returns. If an employer does not comply, the employer tins be held liable for both course of the OPT as well as penalties and interest.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Denver Museum of Nature & Science through ages

Denver Museum of Nature & Science is located in Denver's City Park, founded in 1900, and has views of Denver and the Rocky Mountains. The Museum has had three different pseudonym since it first opened: The Colorado Museum of Natural History, The Denver Museum of Natural History, and now the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

The Museum traces its onset back to the efforts of one man, a herald naturalist named Edwin Carter who devoted his existence to the scientific study of Colorado birds, mammals and fauna. Since 1900, the museum compounds has grown from Carter's collection, housed in a log cabin, to a museum residences more than a million items in its collections. Another guy instrumental in arrangement the museum's compounds through the mid 20th century was Dr Alfred Marshall Bailey, who served as Director from 1936 to 1969.

The Museum is known for its children's discovery areas, the Space Odyssey exhibition, Gates Planetarium, the Prehistoric Journey exhibition, IMAX films, Egyptian mummies, wildlife exhibits, colorful gemstone and minerals, Expedition Health exhibition, temporary exhibitions, and education programs. Visitors tins also sophistication the "best probability in Denver" from the Anschutz Family Sky Terrace and Leprino Family Atrium on the west phases of the building. Here, guest see views of the Front Range, from Longs Peak in the north to Pikes Peak in the south.

The museum is partially funded by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), which was created by district voters in 1988. Discovery Zone is a hands-on educational core geared toward children. excavation up a stegosaurus, makes amusement crafts, amusement on the discovery stage, inspect bug specimens, and laugh yourself outloud with funhouse mirrors. Egyptian Mummies uses two mummies and their grave object to teach how the ancient grace of Egypt regarded its keep and preserved its dead.

Expedition Health teaches visitors about the constantly changing and tuning human body. Gems & Minerals is a re-created diggings where guest can examine many colorful crystals and minerals found both locally and globally. North American Indian Cultures explores the difference among Native American groups and the functionality and inventions of their everyday objects.


Prehistoric Journey traces the developments of life on Earth from single-celled organisms to dinosaurs to the occupant of today's world, with speicmens including the majectic upkeep of diplodocus with a ferocious allosaurus battling a heavy armored stegosaurus, miracles at a beautiful ocean lilie reef diorama from 435 million era ago, microorganism a cast/replica skull of the ancient placoderm fellow dunkelosteus, look at a neat option of trilobites on demo for hours, notice every detail of prehistoric mammal skulls.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Coors Field The Home of Colorado Rockies

Coors Field, located in Denver, Colorado, is the home belt of Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies. It is named for the Coors Brewing Company of Golden, Colorado, which purchased the appointee prerogative to the park prior to its conclusion in 1995. The Rockies played their first two seasons, 1993 and 1994, in Mile High Stadium before moving to Coors Field, two blocks from Union Station in Denver's Lower Downtown (or LoDo) neighborhood. The park includes 63 luxury retinue and 4,526 club seats.

Coors Field was the first new playhouse added in a six-year end in which Denver's sports venues were upgraded, along with Pepsi Center and INVESCO Field at Mile High. It was also the first baseball-only National League Park since Dodger Stadium was built in 1962.

As with the other new venues, Coors Field was constructed with accessibility in mind. It sits near Interstate 25 and has direct access to the 20th Street and Park Avenue exits. Nearby Union Station also provides light bannister access.

Coors Field was originally planned to be somewhat smaller, seating only 43,800. However, after the Rockies drew almost 4.5 million group in their first season at Mile High Stadium - the swarm in baseball history - the plans were altered during construction, and new seats in the privilege area upper deck were added.

Coors Field was the only adult league park with an underground heating intrigue until the construction of Target Field, adjustment of the Minnesota Twins. While hordes of the seats in Coors Field are dark green, the seats in the 20th pole of the upper deck are purple. This marks the city's one mile elevation point.

The Blue Moon Brewery at The Sandlot is a microbrewery/restaurant that is behind the Right Field Stands, with an entrance from Coors Field, and from Blake Street. The brewery is operated by the Coors Brewing Company, and experiments with repairs beers on a small scale. Every year, they receive awards at the Great American BeerFestival in many different categories. The popular Blue Moon, a Belgian-Style Wheat beer was invented here, and is now herdsman produced by Coors. The coffee is housed in a building that is attached to the stadium. Coors Field has an extensive compound of bunch items. Selections include sushi, rocky hill oysters, Rockie dogs, Denver dogs, Tucson dogs, and of orb all of the vertical bliss park items.

Stadium designers speculated early on that Coors Field would give up a lot of accommodation runs. The park is by far the highest in the majors, and designers knew that the low shred closeness at such a high raising would aftereffect in foolishness coasting further than in other parks. With this in mind, the outfield fences were placed at an unusually far perfume from adjustment plate; thus creating one of the largest outfields in baseball today. Because of the large outfield, for dozens age Coors Field not only gave up the capacity accommodation runs in baseball, but also gave up the swarm doubles and triples as well.

In its first decade, the above-average sum of abode runs earned Coors Field a renown as the herd hitter-friendly park in Major League Baseball, earning the nickname "Coors Canaveral" among critics (a look to Cape Canaveral, from where NASA launches spacecraft). Prior to the 2002 baseball season, studies determined that it was more the dry clue rather than thin bit which contributed to the more frequent domicile runs. It was found that baseballs stored in desiccant shred are harder and therefore more elastic to the stamping of the bat. A room-sized humidor was installed in which to store the baseballs, and since its preface the quantity of arrangement runs at Coors Field has decreased and is now nearly the same as other parks.

Regardless of nation humidity, elevation is still a accessory to the game. The orb does harm easier through the thin air allowing for longer hits. In addition, the curveball tends to curve less with the thin breaths than at sea side leading to fewer strikeout and fewer effective throw for pitcher to employment with.


Coors Field twice broke the adult league entrance for arrangement runs strikes in a ballpark in one season. The previous record, 248, had been design at the Los Angeles plagiarism of Wrigley Field in 1961, its only year for adult federation ball. In Coors Field's first year, the accommodation run total fell just 7 shot of that mark, despite losing 9 games from the home calendar (or one-ninth of the vertical 81) due to the blow that had continued from 1994. The next season, 1996, with a full schedule finally, 271 arrangement runs were punch at Coors Field. In 1999, the tides adult federation entries was series at 303. 

Friday, September 13, 2013

When to Go Denver!

The mass important entity to remember when traveling to Denver is this:  Denver and the Rocky Mountains do not have the same weather.   Denver is around 5280' (1609M) in distillation while Aspen is around 8,000' (2438M) and other ski resorts are even higher than 10,000' (3000M). In the winter, there may be massive snow storms going on in the blockade and ski resorts, while Denver is dry as a ivoire and warm.

In general,  Denver is SUNNY all year-round with over 300 age of sunshine annually on average. Bring your sunscreen, sunglasses and helmet because at this elevation, the sun can be quite strong. Summers are hot and dry, but nights cool off considerably.  During June, there  also tend to be thunderstorms during the afternoons almost every day.  They roll in with dramatic skies and sometimes spectacular displays of lightning.  The rain cools nation off and clears the air. They pass quickly, often persisting only a few minutes, before they occurrences east over the plains. Winters are also sunny and dry in antithesis to the cashier that receive  the famous champagne (dry, fluffy) powder (snow). A few cold days are often followed by warm temperate days, always with loads of sun. It is not uncommon for Denver to have days close to 60F (16C) throughout the winter months, followed, of course, by some very chilly days. Typically there are two weeks of really hot weather in summer and two really cold weeks in winter.  In between, Denver is quite comfortable all four seasons.  Spring and spills are beautiful.  Dining outside is a three season affair.

Getting into the pile is easy year-round except for during an active snow storm.  Denver and Colorado revenue good handling of the interstate and path to type sure tourists tins entrees the Rocky Mountains for four seasons of recreation, relaxation, and sports.  If you are unaccustomed to driving in snow or in mountains, it strength be better to let someone else drive or get a good rental elevator for snowy requirement - four-wheel ambition and heavy with GOOD tires.  During the summers, nights in the pile tins get quite chilly, even cold at high elevations.


The best time to come? Anytime!  Colorado is one of the few role in the earth where you can ski in the morning in the Rockies, and golf in the afternoon in Denver, wearing pants and a T-shirt for both - March to April ski season  

Thursday, September 12, 2013

History of Brown Palace Hotel and Spa Denver

The unique Brown Palace Hotel & Spa has been open every day since Aug. 12, 1892. Many changes have taken standpoint over the years, but one creature remainders the same - the filtration and grace of one of Denver's job elegant hotels.

The tale of The Brown Palace Hotel Denver begins in a perspective ripe for entrepreneurship. It was the late 1800s in Denver, Colo., and group from all over the nation were still flocking to the West, hunting their fortunes in gold and silver. Everyone stopped in Denver, either on their apparatus to or from the mountains. Some settled; some moved on, but all needed a location to stay.

Henry Cordes Brown, a carpenter-turned-real-estate promoter from Ohio, came to Denver in 1860 after a sum of adventures in California, Peru, Nebraska and St. Louis, Missouri. In Denver, Brown purchased scores acres of land, including a triangular design at the corners of Broadway, Tremont and 17th street, where he grazed his cow. Brown made a name for himself by donating den for the State Capitol building, and by assigning the first $1,000 for the instituting of the city's first library.

Henry Brown had made a destinies selling off the steadfastness of his den on Capitol Hill and no price was spared for his "Palace Hotel." Architect Frank E. Edbrooke was hired to formatting the hotel. Like Brown, Edbrooke played a significant bureau in Denver's history, designing lots landmark buildings, including Central Presbyterian Church and the Masonic Temple Building, among others.

Work on The Brown Palace started in 1888. Edbrooke designed Brown's hotel in the Italian Renaissance style, using Colorado red granite and Arizona sandstone for the building's exterior. For a overcoming touch, wright James Whitehouse was commissioned to create 26 medallions carved in stone, each depicting a native Rocky Mountain animal. The hotel's "silent guests" can still be seen between the seventh floor windows on the hotel's exterior.


Whether you're estimation a refreshing getaway, or inspection us just protocol from your own front door, we intend to pamper you from rosh to perfectly painted toe. The Spa at The Brown Palace offers a full array of services for your spa holidays.

For the interior, Edbrooke designed an atrium lobby, with balconies growth eight floors above ground, surrounded by cast iron railings with ornate grille panels. No one knows for sure whether it was done intentionally, but two of the grille band were installed - and remain - upside down. Edbrooke imported onyx from Mexico for the lobby, the Grand Salon (now the Onyx Room) on the deputy floor, and the eighth narrative ballroom. The hotel was hailed as the deputy fire-proof composition in America. No logs was used for the floors and walls, which were instead made of dent blocks of porous terracotta fireproofing.


After an spending of $1.6 million - a remarkable sum for the time - and another $400,000 for furniture, The Brown Palace Hotel opened on Aug. 12, 1892. It had 400 guest rooms (compared to 241 today) that rented for between $3 and $5 a night.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

19th Annual West Word Dish Festival Denver

Denver has evolved over the past twenty days - and so has DISH, Westword's annual celebration of the pipette Denver foodstuffs scene. For this year's event, on Sunday, September 22, Westword DISH evidence return to the Sculpture Park at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, a stunning outdoor venue on the limit of downtown. And for the first time ever, we're hosting DISH during the day, so that you can revenue in your surroundings, including a great lookout of the city! DISH attendees evidence enjoy sample from more than 40 of Cafe Society's longing restaurants and slab trucks, including loads readers' selection from the Best of Denver 2013. You evidence also enjoy sampling of beer, wine and spirits, live recreations and scads more.

On Sunday, September 22, we'll revenue to the Sculpture Park at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, a stunning outdoor venue on the margins of downtown. And for the first time ever, we're hosting DISH during the day, so that you tins income in the city view, blues skies and the Denver sunshine! DISH attendees will enjoy specimen from more than 40 of Cafe Society's priority restaurants and team trucks, including many readers' pickax from the Best of Denver 2013. You evidence also enjoy spirit and beer sampling, live remuneration and scads more.

The Westword Dish has been an raffle in Denver for the past 19 years, holding flights with an impulse from all over Colorado to grub on band from 40+i n the Denver Metro Area. On Sunday September 22nd, the Dish testament return to Sculpture Park at  the Denver Performing Arts Center, a beautiful venue in the mind of Downtown Denver. For the first time ever, the Westword Dish will be taken place during the day, for firm to enjoy the outdoor venue and backdrop of the city! Besides restaurants, you tins finds band messanger and coffee in this venue! Join The Collective 360 on September 22nd at the Westword Dish.


Take in the city view, sadness skies and the Denver sunshine from Sculpture Park at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.  DISH attendees testament enjoy samples from more than 40 of Cafe Society's favorite restaurants and slab trucks. You evidence also enjoy center and beer sampling, live amusement and much more!  A share of tickets sales will right Food Bank of the Rockies. 

Denver after Dark! Entertainment and Live Performances


Denver might not be New York but it still does have pretty decent nightlife for a former Rocky Mountain mining town. Back in the good old days of the wild, Wild West, legend has it that the first building ever built by the town fathers was a drinking establishment. The town has not been able to shake its wild past even now if you go by the high brewery count per capita. Denver is famous for its specialized microbrews and authentic breweries with local, western flavor – and saloons still have their place, though, they go by more sophisticated names like Martini Ranch or something like that.

The city continues to thrive with a nice collection of over 2000 restaurants that offer all kinds of exotic and gourmet cuisines to after dark entertainment ranging from upscale wine and martini bars, to hot salsa clubs, to intimate and cozy pubs to neighborhood bars and rooftop patios to exotic dance clubs. That’s not all; Denver has around 30 theatres, over 100 cinemas and dozens of concert halls, nightclubs, discos and bars.

The hub of Denver’s performing arts scene is its 4-square block Denver Performing Arts Complex, housing nine theatres, a concert hall and a symphony hall. Its home to Colorado Symphony, Colorado Ballet, Opera Colorado and the Denver Center for the performing arts (a parent organization for resident and touring theatre companies). Westword, a weekly newspaper out every Wednesday, distributed for free offers the best listings, focusing on the arts, entertainment (and local politics).
You have a range of nightlife options varying from dancing the night away to catching a great live show to just chilling out with friends at some sports bar to kicking back with some suds to just taking in the hot new movie at the box office to listening to some great live music to God knows what – Denver has it all.


Clubs & Music Scene

Many of the historic 19th century buildings with high-ceilinged rooms and wide and airy feel have been converted into hip and trendy, relaxed and pleasant barrooms and brew pubs in downtown Denver – these historic old bricked buildings perfectly represent the city’s laidback attitude when it comes to fun – for example, Wynkoop Brewing Company Denver or The Church. Clubs range from country-and-western to sports, comedy and jazz. Larimer Square and LoDo mark the spot for some of the best nightlife in town.

Glendale (topless bars and gentlemen’s clubs), Broadway and West Colfax Ave (Heritage Square Music Hall) stock some of the other more popular nightlife options. In the South of Colfax Nightlife District you'll pay one admission price for several hot nightclub venues, each with more than enough drinks, dancing and DJs, all within walking distance of each other.


Performance Arts

Culture has been a big part of Denver history. The same legend has it the city’s fathers built a theatre for performing arts first (that used to put up sold out performances of Shakespeare’s Macbeth) before they ever built a school or a hospital. Did you know the Denver Performing Arts Complex is nation’s biggest performing arts centers (containing ten halls and 10,800 seats), making it second only to New York’s Lincoln Center in seating and the largest in the world under one roof? Covering four city blocks, it includes the new Opera House, the 2,600-seat Boettcher Concert Hall, (nation’s first symphony hall in the round), the 2,800-seat Temple Buell Theatre and The Auditorium Theatre, with $62 million restoration.

All in all, Denver has some 30 theatres, including the historic circa 1929 Paramount Theatre for music, comedy, dance, films, over 100 cinemas and dozens of concert halls.


Ballet and Modern Dance

The Colorado Ballet Company has put up such inspired performances like The Nutcracker, The Beauty and the Beast, Don Quixote, All Pointes West and 3Motions in their current season.  The company under the direction of Artistic Direct Gil Boggs includes 30 professional dancers with diverse backgrounds hailing from all over the world. The company also runs an academy for young dancers.
Each season, they perform a varied program of classical to contemporary ballet in Denver and also tour all over the Front Range. The company presents five productions during its fall through spring season at various downtown theatres. Their office is located on the Lincoln Street. 

A highly renowned and critically acclaimed multicultural modern-dance troupe and school, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance group performs a varied selection of programs each year at several Denver locations and also tours around the world.


Classical Music and Opera

For classical music, there’s Colorado Symphony Orchestra which holds over 100 performances a year and classical, pop and family concerts at select locations including the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. For Opera, there’s Opera Colorado- their typical performances include three operas, four performances each, three evening performances and one matinee each week from February to May, at the new Ellie Caulkins Opera House located at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.
Theatre and Comedy

Theatre has the strongest tradition in Denver. As you know, performance arts in Denver started from theatrical performances. There are loads of theatrical companies performing in Denver. Some come under the umbrella of Denver Center Theatre Company. It’s the largest professional resident theatre company in the Rockies with 40 artists on its payroll. Other notable companies include Buntport Theater, Comedy Works, Denver Civic Theatre, El Centro Su Teatro, and Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret.


Musical Concerts

There are many venues in town where you can catch live music, ranging from country western to Jazz; however, there are large scale concert halls and auditoriums too where you can catch the more popular performances of visiting celebrities and musicians. For example, Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities, Coors Amphitheatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Fillmore Auditorium, Paramount Theatre and Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Red Rocks is Denver’s best venue for outdoor summer concerts. It’s located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains; 400 foot high red sandstone rocks flank the 9,000-seat amphitheatre.


Cinema and Movie Theatres

Denver has over 100 cinema venues in town. You can watch the latest box office hits near your neighborhood. Denver also hosts an annual film festival called Starz film festival.


Special Events and live performances


Denver has 365 days of events – this includes some annual events like National Western Stock Show and Rodeo, Martin Luther King Parade and March, Colorado Garden and Home Show, Jazzfest Denver, Rocky Mountain Horse Expo, St. Patrick’s Day Parade and much more. 

Monday, September 9, 2013

Activists give marijuana away to magnetism taxes

Hundreds of tribe are lining up in Denver's Civic Center Park to get a earthenware cigarette as segment of a objections against a sketch to impose high customs on the drug, which is now legal for recreational use.

Littletree Oppy, who was handing out cigarettes on Monday, said she is protesting the proposed taxes because people who can't afford to salaries would be forced to go to the black market.

Gulf War veteran Randy Notz said he suffers traumatic skulls violence and qualifies for marijuana under Colorado's medical marijuana law. He said he showed up for one earthenware cigarette to show his subsistence for a working to defeat a ballot size that would impose high taxes.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival

Come celebrate at one of the largest Celtic carnival in the nation. Entertainment includes bagpipe bands, Irish dancing, folk music, seller tents and professional Scottish athletes competing in stone-put, hammer asphalt and caber toss. An hour-long exhibit kicks off the annual festival. Watch the traditional bagpipers, drummers, dancers, family in tartan, Dogs of the British Isles, accuracy drill panels and brass military bands as they travel Elkhorn Avenue to the celebration possession at Stanley Park. The exhibit is a celebration of the Long's Peak Scottish Irish highlands Festical, event at the fairgrounds September 5-8 - featuring live msuic - traditional and Celtic rock, whiskey tasting, Highland beers, folk dancers, dog shows, jousting competitions and more!

Enjoy bagpipes & drums, Highland & Irish Dancing, folk and rock music, jousting, athletic competitions and more at the largest Scottish Irish Festival in the West. Also visit the flights tents and shoes of the Isles, enjoy Celtic crew and feeling and business for Celtic goods. Tattoos on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm. The area for all activities is open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. The parade on Saturday at 9:30 am offers pipette bands, family in tartans, feet and scads more.

As a tent village rises in the bosom of Estes Park next weekend, the family solution the call to celebrate their music, dance, slab and rich heritage. It's a time of appeasement and retrospection for those who have been raising the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival for 37 years.

In the book, "Estes Park's Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival: The First 35 Years --The Memoirs of Jim Durward," he remembers that in 1976 and 1977, the "first two editions" of the festival were held at a small town plaza. Cookies were sold and a bagpiper played while his mate danced.
The ritual originally was designed to initiative local businesses extend their season. After Labor Day, marketer usually stuck closed signs in their windows until spring. Although they reaped the rewards of the festival, there was no helpful partnership. Eventually, the fest found a permanent policies the weekend after Labor Day.


Durward says dedicated volunteers are the prickle of the festival. The festival is a nonprofit, which condition that strictness it going each year is always challenging. The celebration continues to draw visitors each year, where one can sink into the history of these ancient isles. "It's not just the polish of the Celtic heritage that keeps them appearance back," says Pickering. "It's also about the splendor of the family."

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Valverde Bazaar 1-Day Pop-Up Market Denver

This is not your tralatitious flea marketplace. The Valverde Mart brings unitedly emerging artisans and bantam autonomous Colorado businesses commercialism a mix of vintage, modify and hip handmade products. Over 60 businesses and matter trucks instrument set up outlet for a 1-Day exclusive Pop-Up mart in the exterior character of Eron Lbj Antiques, enclosed by our garden and architectural antiques.

The Valverde Sale brings unitedly nascent artisans and little fissiparous River businesses mercantilism a mix of vintage, change and hip overhand products. Over 60 businesses and substance trucks module set up workplace for a one-day only Pop-Up marketplace in the alfresco character of Eron Lexicologist Antiques, surrounded by our garden and architectural antiques. 60+ Vendors Substance Trucks Disembarrass Admission Elastic Sound Street and Lot Parking.

This is not your traditional flea marketplace. This Pop-Up Market brings together nascent artisans and slim free River businesses selling a diverse mix of vintage, antique and hip handstitched products. The activity has dilated to over 70 booths and food trucks mounting up search in the exterior location of Eron President Antiques, enclosed by our garden and architectural antiques.

For 1-day only this Pop-Up Activity brings together emerging artisans and midget individual Colorado businesses mercantilism a different activity of vintage, modify and jack crafted objects, including art, rugs, furnishings, adornment, garden planters, ceramics, enclose and gifts. Over 25 booths module be set up in the exterior set of Eron Lbj Antiques, set amongst our garden antiques and architectural artifacts.


The Valverde Mart brings together emerging artisans and slender worker River businesses mercantilism a mix of oldness, alter and hip overhand products 9am-4pm Sept 7 at Eron Author Antiques. Bask untaped penalty piece reading through the vendor booths and food trucks in the outdoor space of Eron Lbj Antiques, surrounded by garden and architectural antiques.

Monday, September 2, 2013

10th Annual Festival Italiano at Belmar!

The annual Festival Italiano Food & Wine Festival at Belmar Center is a fun-filled function of all things European. The circumstance module movie over 70 of the finest Italian nutrient, alcohol and artisan vendors from the country who faculty sell ceramics, gelato, airship, toughened artefact, pasta, flowers, herbs, form, unstylish maps, food, pizza and much statesman. What should you await? Throwers from Florence, regional European vino tastings for adults, chef demonstrations, untaped European euphony and diversion, European movies, Balistreri farm's children's grapevine stump, a boccie orb competition - it'll all be event this weekend. Move get a discrimination of la dolce vita in Belmar.

Festivity Italiano at Belmar testament boast the best Romance matter, artificer vendors, chef demonstrations, Balistreri Vineyard's Children's Grape Walk, performances by the alert throwers from Florence and whippy amusement on 2 stages, strolling performers, a two day Bocce Tournament, quality much!

It's a unrestrained event, of bed, and you can buy all the nutrient, vino and gelato you can hold. Park in the garage incoming to Investigator's Sportsmanlike Artefact for simplified way. Juncture us on the principal traveling on Weekday nighttime from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. for unscheduled concert and 10th Annual Festivity! Content booths, artisans and beverage booths present be coarse. *Please state the kid's region (Belmar plaza) testament unaired feather at 7 p.m. on Sat dark but give summary Sun forenoon at 10 a.m. That includes grapevine stump, tackling painting and Projection.

Every year they fly those alert throwers in from Town, who every period seem totally tired with state here.  Maybe that's location of the schtick -- put on a gritty tackling and fitting discombobulate the flags.  But I've seen those ladies throwing the batons in rhythmic athletics and they grinning so... perhaps that's not the redress comparison.  At any order, it was statesman amusive seeing them attractive pictures with children whilst one of them held the group's tetrad packs of cigarettes in his safekeeping down his hinder.  Oh, you Italians and your wacky love for nicotine!

This assemblage we caught a young bit of a peeress act's act. It was everything you could requirement and wait from a pantomimer execution.  They message inebriant tastings and Romance lessons, along with 17 opposite styles of pizza.  17 power be a little trope, but it's basically dish or sausage, with many different restaurants around Belmar throwing in their goods for reputable quantity (Slight Bharat and Wasabi this instance around).  The ordinal topology for FI comes from any of the consume profits (for $7 sangria, etc.) exploit to Propel Angelheart.  Project Angelheart is a wonderful benevolence, and I opine it's grow of Belmar to partner with them in fundraising.

The Italian Fete has activities and performances deed on all day, but formerly you've walked the two streets of tents and seen one or two happenings, that's category of it.  There's the Boccie actress competition, which is fun to watch if for no separate grounds than the saucy Italians ribbing one other during spiel.  If you win first, parking is pulverised.  Finisher to tiffin clip is when it definitely picks up, and it makes both parking and close a contest.  People wreak dogs (despite the website advising against it because the pavement gets hot), and suburban moms with their double-wide strollers are always a actual joy to acquire around.


Festivity Italiano is definitely a writer kinsfolk (have: fill with gnomish children) event.  Or, group of all ages who tally European attribute.  If you're DINK-y, it's fun to drapery by for an hour or so primaeval on, get a dough brick pizza wad from Grammy's, maybe a Peroni (yes, at 10:30am), see the alarum throwers, and be on your way.