by Jessica Hughes | Feb 19, 2024 | General Featured
by Jessica Hughes
Green Dot Coalition was awarded a grant of $10,000 through the RiNo Art District Social Impact Grants program.
2024 is shaping up to be a good year for the latest recipients of the RiNo Art District’s Social Impact Grants, which recently awarded an amount of $75,000 — the program’s largest amount to date.
While most people know the RiNo Art District for its extensive collection of mural art and the newest annual art festival, Denver Walls, the district also plays a big role in supporting its local artists, businesses, and community through the RiNo Business Improvement District (BID).
The Social Impact Grant program first became available to local organizations in Five Points, Globeville, Elyria-Swansea, and Cole in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd. “We wanted to do something more impactful and to allocate money to organizations doing the hard work in the community,” says Alye Sharp, Deputy Director for RiNo Art District.
Curecanti Spur, mural by Lindz and Lamb at CSU Spur Campus Denver, CO.
To date, the organization has awarded a total of $225,000. The RiNo BID has additionally committed to increasing funding for the Social Impact Grants program every year.
“There were so many incredible organizations nominated this year addressing everything from social justice and food scarcity, to homelessness and youth arts education,” said Sharp. “We are so appreciative of the review committee’s passion for identifying and advocating for these organizations and appreciate our BID’s commitment to directing RiNo’s collective resources towards this important work in our community.”
Among the recipients of this grant are CIRCLE, EGS + Partners, Green Dot, Mo Betta, The People’s Pickle, and Youth Empowerment Broadcasting Organization (YEBO Media), who will each receive $10,000 to support community members in the five historic neighborhoods. Birdseed Collective will receive $15,000 to support their mission of educating and empowering disadvantaged and under-resourced individuals throughout the Denver area through food delivery, environmental equity work, youth-focused projects and events, art accessibility, work with immigrant communities, and more.
Green Dot Coalition is an equity-focused placemaking organization working to translate community vision into green spaces, practices, and policies.
With the goal of placing equity at the center of grant-making decisions, recipients are nominated by a diverse committee of local community members, this year led by Denver City Council District 9 Councilman Darrell Watson.
“RiNo’s Social Impact Grants allow us to amplify and celebrate the extraordinary work taking place every day in our District to address some of our most pressing social issues,” said Councilman Watson. “These grants are an investment in a city that works for everyone, and I’m excited to see how the selected organizations leverage their funds in service of their neighborhoods and their communities.”
Sharp also emphasized that they wanted this grant program to be an easy process for everyone to apply. “It was important that this money be unrestricted. Being able to directly write a check for the recipients is super important.”
Founded by the local artists Tracy Weil and Jill Hadley-Hooper, the RiNo Art District, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit arts organization, was created to help foster a thriving, welcoming, and creative community of artists, residents, and businesses.
As the area’s growth has surged over the years, so did the art district. “Big shifts happened in 2014 when the community came together and wanted to retain some of that creative control of how the district improved,” says Sharp.
Today, the district overlays five historical neighborhoods: Globeville, Elyria, Swansea, Five Points, and Cole. Over the last decade, RiNo Art District has helped form both a Business Improvement District (BID) and General Improvement District (GID) and a community arts educational nonprofit (Keep RiNo Wild) to support the local community.
“It’s a collaborative community of small businesses including galleries and studios, plus an incredible amount of public art,” says Sharp. “There are quite a few working artists in the district with studio space and galleries. It is a place that art is being made every day.”
“We extend our deep gratitude to the RiNo Art District for their generous support to EGS & Partners,” said Sandra Ruiz Parrilla, CEO of EGS & Partners. “This fund will not only strengthen our mission to improve our neighborhoods and offer vital mental health art therapy programs, but will also allow us to grow and get even closer to the community, effectively engaging residents in Elyria-Swansea and Globeville neighborhoods. Together, we will move forward toward promoting environmental and social justice, promoting health, and building a stronger, healthier community. Thank you for being a valued partner in our shared mission!”
To learn more, visit the RiNo Art District at rinoartistrict.org.
Photos provided by: RiNo Art District
by Mark Smiley | Jan 19, 2024 | General Featured
by Mark Smiley
For those who want to hit the slopes but avoid the drive over the President’s Day holiday weekend, Snowstang will be operating and providing service to some of the state’s premier mountain resorts.
Snowstang travels roundtrip to Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Loveland Ski Area, and Steamboat Springs every Saturday, Sunday, and President’s Day (Monday, February 19) through mid-spring. All routes board at Denver Union Station, RTD’s Federal Center Station in Lakewood, and at the Wooly Mammoth Park-n-Ride — upper lot (18560 U.S. 40, Golden, CO 80401).
Roundtrip tickets are $25, except for Steamboat Springs, which is $40. Additional discounts are available for seniors (65+) and people with disabilities. Children ages 2 to 11 ride for $12.50 (with a paying adult). Tickets can be purchased at ridesnowstang.com
“If you like to ski or snowboard but don’t like dealing with the holiday weekend traffic, Snowstang is an ideal option,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “And it’s not just this weekend. If people want to enjoy the variety of activities and special events that’ll be taking place at our partner resorts this winter and early spring, Snowstang is a great travel alternative on any weekend.”
Each Snowstang coach provides seating for 51 passengers, is climate controlled, and has luggage bays, Wi-Fi, a restroom, and USB and power outlets.
“This is our fourth season of serving skiers and snowboarders, and it continues to grow in popularity since it provides a stress-free, safe alternative to get to our world-class resorts,” said CDOT’s Division of Transit and Rail Director Paul DesRocher. “Snowstang is also affordable, comfortable, and convenient, dropping passengers off right near the ski lifts.”
by Mark Smiley | Dec 15, 2023 | General Featured
by Mark Smiley
Reliable: The OtterBox Fast Charge is one of the fastest portable power banks on the market. This reliable brand is worth considering if in the market for a portable power bank.
Power bank chargers, also known as portable chargers or external battery packs, are portable devices designed to store electrical energy and then release it to charge various electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and more. These devices have become increasingly popular due to the high energy demands of modern gadgets and the need for a reliable source of power while on the go.
Power banks have become essential accessories for many people who rely on their electronic devices while on the go. When selecting a power bank charger, consider your specific needs and preferences to find the right one for you.
Three to consider purchasing for different reasons are the TravelCard Plus, OtterBox Fast Charge, and the CHAMP Portable Charger from Nimble.
Ultra Compact: The CHAMP Portable Charger from Nimble features up to 80% charge in 30 minutes and can charge two devices simultaneously.
The physical dimensions and weight of the power bank can affect its portability. Smaller and lighter power banks are more convenient for daily carry, while larger ones may offer more capacity but can be less portable. One of the most slim and portable chargers is the TravelCard Plus. This portable charger is complete with built in charging cords and is compatible with iPhones and Android devices. The TravelCard Plus is approximately the size of a credit card and easily fits in your pocket for charging on the go.
It easily fit in my pocket on a dog walk to give the phone an extra boost. It contains a 1,500mAh battery, which does not offer a lot of horsepower but it makes up for it with it’s slim design and light weight at 1.6 ounces. Retailing at $39, the TravelCard Plus is a product that should be in your arsenal of power bank chargers. Visit www.travelcardcharger.com for more information or to purchase.
Slim Design: TravelCard Plus is slim and lightweight at 1.6 ounces. It is complete with built in charging cords and fits in your pocket with ease.
If you want more power and faster charging, the OtterBox Fast Charge is your ticket. It boasts a 20,000mAh battery. It does weigh nearly one pound so it isn’t necessarily the product that you would carry in your pocket. But, Otterbox has a reputation of designing and manufacturing good products and this is no exception. Power banks usually have multiple output ports to charge different devices simultaneously and the OtterBox Fast Charge offers this.
“I bought this so my daughter could charge her iPhone and air pods on road trips and airplanes,” said Ryan on Amazon. “It’s perfect. You get several charges on devices from this after it’s fully charged. The charge indicator is helpful to show how much charge it holds. It’s not so bulky where you can’t put it in a bag and bring it with you anywhere. It’s exactly what I was looking for and from a reliable brand. Highly recommend.” The OtterBox Fast Charge 20,000mAh retails for $54.95 and is another portable power bank to consider owning. Visit www.otterbox.com for more information.
Nimble’s CHAMP Portable Charger is the last power bank that is worth considering. It is perhaps the Goldilocks of portable chargers with a compact design, a weight of 6.4 ounces, and a 10,000 mAh battery for up to three days of power. It works with iPhone, iPad, Android devices, and more. This device is in my glove compartment for times when my phone needs an extra boost.
This device is also TSA approved and compact enough to throw in a backpack and take on the airplane. The CHAMP features up to 80% charge in 30 minutes and can charge two devices simultaneously. Also, Nimble is environmentally conscious as the packaging is made from recycled paper and uses no harmful inks or dyes. It is biodegradable and inside that packaging, you’ll find a bag that you can use to responsibly recycle your old electronic tech for free. The CHAMP retails for $49.95 and can be purchased at www.gonimble.com.
The price of power banks can vary widely based on capacity, features, and brand. While it’s important to stay within your budget, consider investing in a quality power bank from a trusted manufacturer to ensure long-term reliability. These three options are all in the $50 range and you can’t go wrong owning all three.
by Jessica Hughes | Nov 16, 2023 | General Featured
by Jessica Hughes
Labeling your bins takes the guesswork out of where things go.
Oftentimes, the holiday season can feel overwhelming with the in-laws in town, additional obligations, finding the perfect gift, and then wrapping it. With so much going on, being organized can make a world of difference and ease the stress of “what box did I put the Christmas lights in last year.” Decluttering and organizing can help you focus on life’s other obligations this time of year. But where does one start?
Christina DesAuguste, founder of The Organizing Company — a professional organizing company that helps people organize their “stuff” in a functional, good-looking way, says to start with a method. “For those starting the process of organizing, it is best to start with a method, rather than “tips and tricks.”
During the holiday season, one of the biggest mistakes DesAuguste says she sees often is people frantically throwing things in their hamper or some other “catch all” and stick it in the closet somewhere right before friends and family arrive. “It’s best to try and not hide your mess before company comes over,” says DesAuguste. “Instead, try to come up with a method or process that sets you up for success.”
One method DesAuguste suggests when bringing out decorations for the season, is to place your non-holiday items in the holiday bins you pulled out from storage. This way, when the holidays are over, you can easily make the swap.
Christina DesAuguste gets organized with one of her Hilltop clients in Denver.
Organization not only reduces stress, but it looks good too.
“Make a decision about how you store your holiday decorations,” says DesAuguste. “You can do it by room or by category. But try not to do a “free for all storage” and take the time to be methodical.”
While DesAuguste emphasizes there is no one size fits all for organization items everyone must have, she does mention a few things she thinks everyone can benefit from. “A label-maker is huge help in getting things back where they belong. It helps eliminate the “where does this go?” question.”
Another item she strongly suggests might be one that surprises you. “A three-step stool is great to have handy,” says DesAuguste. “It sets you up for success by having easy access to things, so you put items back in their right place.”
In terms of decluttering your space to make room for all your holiday demands, DesAuguste says she is a big fan of having children go through their toys before gift-giving season. “Choose things they are ready to part with and donate. That way when new gifts come there is room for them.”
But taking away your kid’s toys might prove challenging, so starting with big bulky items that don’t have any meaning is another option. Think of items like excess small appliances, comforters you no longer use, or cleaning supplies you don’t use anymore. One other item that is less obvious but easy to discard is old paint cans.
Often forgotten about, paint cans clutter basements, garages, and crawl spaces,” says Kevin Lynch, the Program Manager for PaintCare Colorado. “Free up some of that space by taking cans of paint to one of our local drop-off sites or using the PaintCare Door-to-Door service to make room to store presents in advance of the holidays.”
PaintCare is the paint recycling program in Colorado for consumers and businesses to drop off their unwanted paint, no matter the brand, for free reuse or recycling. With more than 160 participating drop-off locations, most locations are at paint and hardware stores.
So, why worry about getting rid of your old paint cans, aside from decluttering your space? “The older that paint gets the less usable it is,” says Lynch. “Unused cans of paint can become rusty and leaky from moisture, especially in our fluctuating Colorado climate.”
Drop-off is available year-round during the retail location’s regular business hours. And if you don’t have the ability to visit one of the drop off locations, the Denver area is fortunate to have a PaintCare home paint pickup program, called Door-to-Door Service, for households with more than 10 gallons of leftover paint, stain, and varnish. There is no charge for the pickup service; the cost is included on the sale of all new paint purchased, which is how the PaintCare program is funded.
If you’re not ready for a full-blow
n organization method, DesAuguste offers a few organizing “hacks” to help get you started. “Build a “10-minute tidy up” into your daily routine. Having this time to make sure things get back to their proper homes is a great way to prevent the overwhelm that comes with huge piles of mail/laundry/dishes, or a wild playroom.” She recommends doing this after dinner and before sitting down to relax. “But whatever time of day you and your family can be consistent is great,” says DesAuguste.
Another trick she mentions is to assign tasks to a certain day of the week. “For example, Mom’s laundry day is Monday, Tommy’s is Tuesday, and Suzie’s is Wednesday,” says DesAuguste. “Have a day of the week you open your mail rather than trying to open and deal with it while you’re carrying in groceries and unpacking kids’ backpacks- it just ends up in a pile somewhere never dealt with.”
She also suggests that until you are ready to get your house fully organized you can designate a day of the week that you organize. “Build time into your routine for things like this so they are more likely to get done.”
If you’re having a hard time starting the process of organizing and decluttering, Des Auguste says to simply start with your why in mind. “It helps to know why and deciding that it’s worth it is important to getting started.” Learn to organize anything in less than 10 minutes with Morton’s free video and guide at theorganizingco.com.
by Mark Smiley | Oct 20, 2023 | General Featured
Colorado Breweries Win 40 Medals
by Mark Smiley
Full House: The 42nd Annual Great American Beer Festival was held from September 21-23, 2023 at the Colorado Convention Center.
The 41st anniversary of the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) returned to the Colorado Convention Center September 21-23, 2023. GABF has grown exponentially since 1982, where just 24 breweries and 47 beers were present; 41 years later, GABF featured more than 2,000 different beers from nearly 500 of the nation’s finest breweries.
The 2023 GABF competition awarded 303 medals to 263 of the best commercial breweries in the United States. Presented by the Brewers Association (BA), GABF is the nation’s largest professional beer competition.
Top-tier brews spanning 99 beer categories across 175 beer styles (including all subcategories) received prestigious gold, silver, and bronze medals. In addition, three GABF Collaboration medals for beers created by a team of two or more professional breweries, and three GABF Pro-Am medals for beers developed by teams of professional brewers and amateur homebrewers, were announced.
The competition took place in three phases over nine days and was judged by 250 beer experts from 10 countries, including the U.S. In addition to evaluating 9,298 commercial brewery entries from all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, the judging panel assessed 95 Collaboration and 50 Pro-Am entries. The competition was made possible with the help of more than 300 volunteers.
Colorado breweries showed very well, bringing in 40 medals during the festival, the most since 2017 and up from 26 the year before.
Avery Brewing Company was one of those breweries as they took home two awards. Avery’s White Rascal won Gold in the Belgian-Style. “These awards are a testament to the great work of the Avery Brewing team,” said Elton Andres Knight, CEO of Mahou USA and Avery Brewing Company. “They have a longstanding commitment to their craft, and these awards confirm what we’ve all known — that Avery and Mahou USA make some of the best beers in the country.”
An annual event tied in with GABF is the Samuel Adams and Dogfish Head Great American Beer Festival Beer & Brunch event. This year’s event was held on Friday, September 22, at West of Surrender on 16th Street Mall.
Winners: Left to right: Sam Calagione, Founder of Dogfish Head Brewery; Rich Bloomfield, Funkytown Brewing; Jim Koch, Founder and Brewer of Samuel Adams; Zack Day, Funkytown Brewing; Greg Williams, Funkytown Brewing. Funkytown Brewing won the 12th Brewing & Business Experienceship from Samuel Adams.
The event featured Funkytown Brewing from Chicago, winners of the 12th Brewing & Business Experienceship. Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream, the revolutionary philanthropic program aimed at providing mentorship and access to capital for food and beverage entrepreneurs nationwide, was on full display at the brunch. Chicago’s Funkytown Brewery was welcomed to the coveted class of emerging craft brewers to receive support and unique experiences on behalf of Samuel Adams.
The Brewing & Business Experienceship is an annual program that invites craft brewers nationwide to apply for the chance to win unparalleled access to brewing and business resources from experts at Samuel Adams, including founder and brewer Jim Koch. One lucky craft brewer is selected to come to the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery, work side-by-side with a team of mentors, and collaborate on a specialty beer with Samuel Adams.
Twin Peaks: Twin Peaks added some spice to the 42nd Annual Great American Beer Festival. Twin Peaks has three convenient locations in Colorado.
Black-owned, Funkytown Brewery was founded by childhood and lifelong friends Rich Bloomfield, Zack Day, and Greg Williams, who share a passion for their hometown of Chicago and home brewing. Largely influenced by the Chicago craft scene and ’90s Hip Hop and R&B, Funkytown Brewery started home-brewing in a family garage. The brewery later launched in 2021 with a mission to introduce craft beer to underserved communities and provide a deeper understanding of different beer styles, tasting notes, aromas, and colors. Today, Funkytown Brewery aims to serve craft beer deserts and add diversity and representation to the shelves of established retailers.
“The Great American Beer Festival competition serves as a platform for the finest beers from across the nation to undergo rigorous scrutiny and vie for the title of ‘Best in Class,’” remarked Chris Williams, competition director for the Great American Beer Festival. “The beer community’s unwavering commitment to pushing the frontiers of innovation and quality is truly commendable. The Brewers Association takes great pride in recognizing the achievements of this year’s winners.”
For more information on GABF and to see the list of all the winners, visit www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com. For more information on the Colorado Brewers Guild, visit www.coloradobeer.org. The 42nd Great American Beer Festival is set for October 10-12, 2024.
by Mark Smiley | Jun 23, 2023 | General Featured
Tech Infused Mini Golf Venue With An Elevated Food And Drink Menu Opens In The River North Art District
by Mark Smiley
Course Hero: Puttshack is an upscale, tech-infused mini golf experience where the screens will guide you through the game.
Puttshack opened Colorado’s first location in Denver’s River North Art District on May 26, 2023. Puttshack is a tech infused indoor mini golf entertainment facility that features an elevated food and beverage menu.
“There is a global inspiration in the menu and lots of shareables where people are trying different things,” said Susan Walmesley, Chief Marketing Officer, Puttshack. “Almost all of it is cooked from scratch in our kitchen.”
Puttshack has nine locations in the U.S. and four in the U.K. with plans for more by the end of the year. The concept, originated in London by Topgolf inventors Steven and Dave Jolliffe, opened its first location in 2018, and the first in the U.S. in 2021.
Margarita: The spiced pineapple mezcal margarita is served with a Jalapeño Hellfire Popsicle and a candied pineapple wafer.
The core demographic are ages 21-35 with disposable income and time that are looking for new experiences. “Denver was way up there on our list of places we wanted to get into,” said Walmesley. “This is a really vibrant neighborhood with our core demographic close by.”
Although Puttshack caters to the younger crowd at night complete with DJs on the weekends, they welcome families during the day to experience this new way to play mini golf. It is tech infused where the technology is in the golf ball and it tracks every one of your shots. The patented Trackaball™ technology allows guests to play a point scoring game that does not allow cheating. There are four courses to choose from and all can be booked online.
“So much fun,” said Laura M. on Yelp. “We took a group of seven there for putt putt, dinner, and drinks, and ended up doing another round after dinner. We did Amber and Emerald, and while we enjoyed both, we thought Emerald was a blast. The putt putt was so much fun, and the hole designs were so cool.”
Puttshack has experienced a steady flow of guests in its first month and hopes to book more private parties in the coming months. “We are going to take it slow,” said Jake Wise, Director of Operations, Puttshack Denver. “We want to get off on a good footing and deliver what our guests expect. They are the ones coming out to spend money and we want to be the answer to ‘where should we get together.’ We are going to do our best to execute great food and amazing beverages. We are the only tech infused mini golf in the world.”
Puttshack Denver is located at 2813 Blake Street in Denver. You can book online at www.puttshack.com/locations/denver. Follow them on Facebook @puttshackdenver and on Instagram @puttshack.
