by Mark Smiley | May 26, 2015 | Travel
by Councilman Charlie Brown
For the last eight seasons, Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown has planted thousands of tomato seeds in March and nurtured the plants to distribute free to residents and city officials in early May. He grows them in his basement and office, where they eventually end up in his office windows on Exposition Avenue and are often confused with a newly legalized plant.
“When that happens,” Brown said, “I always remind folks that tomato plants are not a cash crop.”
The second year his efforts proved so popular that constituents started calling in April wanting to know when they could pick up “their” tomato plants. The “The Tomato Plant Entitlement Program” was hatched.
This year was his biggest yet, with more than 800 plants and 15 varieties handed out. And it will be the last year to do so, since along with five other Denver council members, he is term-limited in July. He has represented 52,000 residents in south Denver for more than 14 years.
Brown calculates he has distributed some 6,000 tomato plants during the last eight years which, if urban gardeners followed his tip sheet for growing in Denver’s fickle climate, produced 20,000 pounds of America’s favorite gardening crop. And with this era ending, he wanted to share how he got started — not with politics, but with gardening.
The love affair began decades ago.
My first gardening memories can be traced back to my grandparents’ small farm five miles east of Durham, N.C. When we were about 10-years-old, my Mom would take my twin brother and me there to spend the weekend helping them with farm chores.
Saturday mornings started early. A rooster’s cock-a-doodle-doo would send us dashing off to the hen house to gather fresh brown eggs for breakfast. That was the easy start of a long day working in the heat and humidity and the sandy clay soils of North Carolina’s Piedmont region. We milked cows, fed the pigs and chickens, and tackled the dreaded hoeing and weeding.
I would do things that city folks have trouble understanding, including wringing a chicken’s neck for Sunday supper and watching it run around the barnyard with no head; and plowing long rows of crops with a large, tail-swishing beast six feet in front of me who, surprisingly, respected my commands of “whoa mule!” I loved every minute of it, especially the gardening.
The southern climate allowed for early planting and harvesting. It’s hard for Denver gardeners to fathom that by late June we were already “bringing in” potatoes, broccoli, spinach, beets, onions, field peas, squash, butter beans, string beans, green peppers and, my favorite, tomatoes. Okra, turnip greens, cantaloupe, watermelon and corn would soon follow. Most crops would be “put up” in canning jars or, later, a small Sears & Roebuck freezer.
As I look back on those days I realize just how much my grandparents taught me. My grandmother was an early naturalist, who loved birds, wildlife and gardening. “Gardening teaches you patience,” she said. She reminded us not to keep all the fish we caught from the scummy farm pond but return some for ‘another day’ long before the concept of “catch and release.” My grandfather was a hard task master. If he would catch us leaning on our hoe to catch a quick break he would yell out: “You have to hoe to the end of the row,” a work ethic that’s sometimes hard for youngsters to comprehend.
Thanks to the influence of my grandparents, I’ve planted a garden each spring for more than 40 years. It gets in your blood. When it hails in Denver everyone is concerned about their cars and roofs. But like all farmers, ranchers and urban gardeners, our concern is about, in the words of Kenny Rogers, “our crops in the field.”
by Mark Smiley | Apr 24, 2015 | Travel
by Mark Smiley
Century 21 Plaza, located at 1390 S. Colorado Boulevard, opened in June 2013 with just a few stores anchoring it, including Sprint, Yogurtland and Mooyah Burgers. Now, it boasts successful stores such as Adams and Jane, Sleep Nation, Thai Pot Cafe and newly added Xfinity for a total of nine stores open and operational.
Century 21 Plaza is named after the historic Century 21 Theater which was in this location from 1967 to 1990. When the theater closed in 1990 with a showing of the Last Emperor, so too did a chapter of Denver’s history. Twenty-five years have passed since the Century 21 Theater closed.
The plaza is already approximately 75 percent occupied which is no small feat considering the site features two buildings for a total of 32,055 total retail square feet. “We have been highly selective about the types and quality of our tenants,” said Doug Antonoff of Antonoff & Co. “We are delighted with both the specific tenants that have chosen our center and the tenant mix we have been able to achieve.” One of the attractions for new and existing businesses to locate here is the 138 parking spaces available.
Some businesses have moved from other locations and have thrived such as Thai Pot Café which has increased their sales since moving from their previous location which was two blocks south of its current location on Colorado Boulevard. Antonoff noted that Jersey Mike’s Subs will begin construction soon and more tenants would be announced soon.
One business that has taken the leap which did not have an existing storefront before moving in is Adams and Jane Home Collection. Adams and Jane has an assortment of furniture, lighting, pillows and other artifacts to complement a home.
For co-owner Amy Adams it was not an easy decision to open the store back in November 2014. “To open this place was nerve-racking. I worked out of my home since 1982 and to take the plunge and sign a lease was a big risk,” said Adams.
Before her design career, Adams worked as a real estate agent in Keystone until she moved to Denver in 1997. After struggling in the Denver market, she launched her design career by working with local home builders.
Adams has a knack for design and can walk into a room and decide what should be done in one hour or less. Her work consists of paint colors, rugs, wallpaper, and more. Each quote is specialized and is not a one size fits all situation. “There is no magic,” said Adams. “You have to have a good eye. A lot of designers use the same brands or colors in everything they do. I try to get into the home and look at lifestyle and if they have dogs, kids, etc.”
Adams offers one stop shopping for those wanting to redesign their existing home or needing help with a new home. She manages the entire project and clients write one check to Adams as she interacts with general and subcontractors.
Her decision to move to Century 21 Plaza rather than the more upscale Cherry Creek North, hinged on parking. The parking is ample in this shopping center and has attracted businesses that would otherwise look for alternative areas.
One such business is Sleep Nation. Owner Sean Sutton searched for office space in Denver for over a year until he decided on Century 21 Plaza. He opened his second store here in May 2014 after opening a store in Park Meadows in November 2011.
Sutton worked for Mattress Firm for five years, Mattress King for five years, and Mattress Firm for another two-year run before he and his wife opened up their first store. “My wife and I saw a need for a niche product in the industry,” said Sutton. “All of our beds are plant based. They consist of half natural oils and half polyurethane.”
As far as sales are concerned, Sutton would like to see more. Comparatively speaking though, the Colorado Boulevard store started out better than the Park Meadows store. Now, the two stores trade off month to month on which outperforms the other.
Direct competitors of Sleep Nation are Denver Mattress, Sleep Number, Mattress Firm and Urban Mattress. One thing Sutton boasts is the fact that he is one of the only locally-owned mattress companies in Colorado. “We are local and reasonably priced,” said Sutton. “We study sleep, not sales. We have a non-aggressive style and are not pushy. We really listen to what the customer wants.”
Sutton also talks about what the industry calls the “be back” rate where the customer indicates they will be back. What really happens is that customers test other mattresses at other stores and find what they need elsewhere. Sutton says that their rate is far higher than the competition because customers inevitably like the combination of comfort and price of Sleep Nation mattresses.
One thing is for sure, although it is a big risk for businesses like Adams and Jane Home Collection and Sleep Nation to lease a storefront, they are finding success at their locations in Century 21 Plaza.
For more information on Century 21 Plaza, visit www.century21denver.com. For Adams and Jane, visit www.adamsand janehomecollection.com and for Sleep Nation, visit www.mysleepnation.com.
by Mark Smiley | Feb 26, 2015 | Travel
by John Edwards
Tired of the endless snow? I-70 traffic jams? Although we know spring will arrive, there will still be sudden snows followed by every afternoon showers. How about a quick getaway, to a state of warmth? We can quickly fly from Denver International Airport to Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas or Phoenix. We’ve been there and the warmth is not guaranteed. Cherry Creek Valley residents should consider a quick, cheap cruise on a big luxury ship in March or April. Below is a sample itinerary which makes this type of trip affordable.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida’s Port Everglades serves 10 cruise lines and 30 ships. The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport is served economically and non-stop from Denver by Southwest and Spirit Airlines. And therein lies the magic.
Have your travel agent book the four day cruise on the Celebrity Constellation ship starting at $349 or consider the Carnival Conquest which comes in at a similar price point.
Take an inside cabin since you won’t be in it except to sleep. The Constellation (www.cruisemates.com/constellation) departs Thursdays for Nassau, Bahamas, then on to Key West and back. Take the Carnival Conquest for six days if you like waterslides, kids and loud music.
Southwest Airlines has numerous daily flights but the non-stop flights are less expensive and only four hours. One flight leaves at 7:30 a.m and arrives at 1:10 p.m. That leaves some of the day, but if there is a flight delay, you cannot make the 3 p.m. deadline to catch a cruise ship departing at 4 p.m.
The alternative is the Spirit Airlines “redeye.” Book online on “everything added-on” Spirit Airlines’ overnight flight that departs evenings at 11:40 p.m. and arrives at 5:15 a.m. the next morning. Pay for your ticket and one checked bag both ways at booking. Bring your own snacks, juices, water, pillow and enough drugs to sleep upright.
Upon arrival at 5:15 a.m., retrieve your bag, eat breakfast at the airport and change into your shorts with bathing suit underneath. (That overnight red-eye flight saved you a $180 overnight hotel stay.)
Head For The Beach
Take the city bus from the airport to the beach at the Bahia Mar Doubletree Hotel. Store your bag with the bellman for $5. Walk across the street to the uncrowded beach. Relax in the sun and sand. After 10 a.m., catch the nearby Water Taxi (water taxi.com) for a guided tour through the waterways, the mansions and yachts. After noon, get your bag and a taxi to the cruise port to check in by 3 p.m.
After checking in, go directly to your room and take a nap. Your bags will not arrive until later. Be gently awakened by announcements for the mandatory life jacket drill as the ship leaves the harbor.
After the cruise, the ship docks early Monday morning. A Budget Rental Car shuttle picks up customers at the port. Rent a car from the nearby Quay Center location and tour the area before dropping the car off at the airport at 6 p.m. for your departure at 8:15 p.m.
For lunch, don’t miss the famous Rustic Inn Crabhouse (rusticinn.com) on a canal at the end of the airport. The roadhouse on the water serves whole garlic steamed crabs and other fresh seafood. Diners are outfitted with a bib and a wooden mall
et to destroy and devour the monster crab. Scraps that fall onto the floor drop through the wooden planks to fish swarming below. The restaurant is easy to find and is located under the low-flying aircraft approach at the airport.
Total these costs and compare them to a traditional 8-day vacation and 7-day cruise. Luxury cruising for less!
Travel Writer John Edwards is President of Golf Travel Writers of America and has been on 19 cruises.
by Mark Smiley | Feb 2, 2015 | Travel
Bombshell Deals, New Structures, Branches
by Glen Richardson
As the first quarter of the New Year gets underway bank mergers and new entries are solidifying Cherry Creek North as Colorado’s banking hub plus the district’s financial influence is rising within the region. In an article, nearly five years ago, the Chronicle (Oct. 2010) first reported the state’s financial hub was shifting to Cherry Creek North.
Growth of banking within the seven-block district plus the increase in number of top performing banks here has pegged the area for expansion. Just three years ago Bauer Financial considered nearly 27 percent of Colorado banks “troubled and problematic.” Today, just within Cherry Creek North there are a half-dozen banks getting five-star ratings from Bauer, and others aren’t far behind.
Three major banking deals feverishly crafted at the close of 2014 were being finalized in the first quarter of this year. On Jan. 16, however, parties to one big banking merger got cold feet and failed to seal the deal.
Big Bank Pact
The biggest and boldest change is the acquisition of Colorado’s only bank ranked in the Top 100 Best Performing Community Banks by SNL Financial. Cherry Creek-based Steele Street Bank was acquired by MidFirst Bank — one of the nation’s largest privately held banks — rated in the top five percent of all U.S. financial institutions for Bank Safety by IDC.
By combining the two financial giants under the MidFirst name, Steele Street — headquarters at 1st Ave. and Cook in Cherry Creek North — will be able to compete more effectively with larger banks now entering the Rocky Mountain market. Moreover Oklahoma City-based MidFirst will provide Valley locations with a broader array of products and services.
With other Valley Banking Centers located on South Colorado Blvd. at University Hills and downtown on 17th St., MidFirst’s trio of offices “will continue to offer customers a genuine community banking experience that emphasizes local decision-making, security and stability,” CEO Bob Malone stresses to the Chronicle. For further details on the transaction see Acquisition Of Steele Street By MidFirst Bank Packs Punch, at right below.
BofA Bear Hug
The second Valley banking bombshell was Bank of America’s opening of its first full-service branch in Colorado as the year closed at Fillmore Place on the northeast corner of 1st Ave. and Fillmore. The new venture marks the first time that the nation’s second-largest bank will serve retail customers in Colorado. In addition to the flagship Cherry Creek location, the bank is opening at least two additional retail branches within the state this year and is likely to expand further by opening other branches or acquiring other banks. Previously BofA operated a Creek location for commercial and business clients but never retail customers.
Bank of America made its first big entrance into the Colorado market in 2008 —during the height of the financial crisis — through the acquisitions of both Merrill Lynch and Countrywide Bank that had locations in Cherry Creek North. Countrywide’s location has since closed and Merrill Lynch has relocated into the Fillmore Place Banking Center. In June of last year FDIC ranked BofA as the 22nd largest bank in Colorado.
Nationally, Bank of America Corp. and the U.S. Justice Department are negotiating a settlement under which the bank would pay a major penalty for allegedly selling risky mortgage-backed securities that contributed to the 2007-08 financial crisis. The Justice Department reportedly is seeking a $17 billion settlement with the bank. At the end of 2014 the bank’s Countrywide Financial mortgage subsidiary was ordered to pay a nearly $1.3 billion penalty for a similar program that caused significant losses to government-backed mortgage finance agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Approval Seal Pulled
Lastly Denver-based First Western Financial (First Western Trust Bank & First Western Capital Management) signed a definitive agreement at year’s end to merge with Salina, Kansas-based Sunflower Financial (Sunflower Bank). Both banks have locations in Cherry Creek North. However, Sunflower Financial got cold feet and the two banks called off the deal.
Originally Scott Wylie, Chairman and CEO of Denver-based First Western, would have become Chairman and CEO of the combined bank and investment management subsidiary, as well as CEO and President of the holding company. Additionally, Denver would have been headquarters of the combined company.
Ironically, the deal was terminated the day after the Colorado Division of Banking had approved the merger. The combined company would have had approximately $2.5 billion in banking assets and $5.5 billion in trust and investment assets under management. “Although the original rationale for the merger had merit, the parties determined that terminating the merger was in the best interest of both companies and their respective shareholders,” the companies said a in joint statement issued on Jan. 16.
Sturm Staying Power
All of these developments were big news, but the fact Cherry Creek and other Colorado banks and credit unions are getting healthier is also influencing the district’s outlook. In addition to Steele Street, four other banks located or headquartered in Cherry Creek were on Bauer Financial’s top rated list. Not surprisingly, leading that list is Cherry Creek North headquartered ANB Bank, short for American National Bank.
The remarkable roots of Cherry Creek North banking go back to when Donald Sturm jumped into banking by purchasing five ailing banks including what was originally Cherry Creek National Bank. Now Sturm and his wife Susan run 33 banking centers located in Colorado, Wyoming and Kansas City from their Cherry Creek headquarters. The bank’s parent company, Sturm Financial Group, Inc., is also headquartered here and has financial strength embodied in over $2.3 billion in assets and ranks in the top 6% of banks nationwide by size. The bank has constantly achieved a Five-Star rating with Bauer Financial, the highest rating.
The Sturms’ philanthropic foundation gifts, when combined with the charitable endeavors of his companies, provide about $4 million a year to communities across five states. They have given money to fund charter schools, helped libraries, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Denver Art Museum and myriad charities. Other local banks on the top-performing list include Bank of Denver. CoBiz Bank and Guaranty Bank & Trust.
New Branches Opening
A newcomer to Cherry Creek, Alpine Bank — an employee-owned $2.4 billion-dollar organization — is scheduled to open its first Cherry Creek branch in the new Coors Foundation Building at 215 St. Paul on April 1. A year ago April, Alpine Bank opened its first Denver branch in the Union Station neighborhood’s IMA Building. Chartered in 1973, the bank’s headquarters are in Glenwood Springs, with 37 western and southwestern Colorado offices.
Building new digs in Cherry Creek North on East 1st Ave. is First Citizens Bank. The building now under construction at 3611 E. 1st Ave. is on the northeast corner of 1st Ave. and Monroe and will join a nest of neighborhood banks located on the east end of 1st Ave. near Colorado Blvd. First Citizens new bank is just west of Compass Bank and across 1st Ave. from Colorado State Bank & Trust and First National Bank. Heartland Bank and Young Americans Bank are also in proximity. The Raleigh, North Carolina-based bank initially opened a branch in Cherry Creek several years ago at 311 Steele St. under its IronStone Bank subsidiary name. That name was later converted to First Citizens. The new branch is expected to open near the end of the first quarter of this year and the Steele St. location will then be closed.
In addition to area banks, there are a dozen financial institutions with offices in Cherry Creek North. In addition to BofA’s Merrill Lynch, major firms include BNY Mellon Wealth Management, Cambiar Investors, Charles Schwab and Edward Jones. Also with a major presence here are Janus, MorganStanley SmithBarney, R.W. Baird and Scottrade.
Cherry Creek Becoming
Wall Street Of The West
Somewhat comparable to the eight block financial district in Lower Manhattan, Cherry Creek North’s seven-block district once known for its fashionable boutique shops is quickly becoming Denver and the Rocky Mountain West’s financial district. Cherry Creek is now home to 32 banks, many with their headquarters here. There are also a dozen major financial firms. Moreover, the east-west route running along 1st Ave. from University to Colorado Blvd. has become the district’s “banking row” with 15 banking locations.
by Mark Smiley | Dec 22, 2014 | Travel
(BPT) – It’s that time of year again, the time of year when you forget about sunburns and start worrying about windburn. Yes, sadly, the cooler months are here and winter is in full swing. That means long coats, scarves and an entirely different skincare routine.
Skincare you say? True, it’s easy to forget about your skin when it’s covered by all those extra layers, but dermatologist Dr. Anne Chapas, who is the founder and medical director of Union Square Dermatology, says cooler months are when skincare, particularly lip care, is most important. “The skin is our first line of defense against environmental elements, but the skin on our lips has extremely unique properties. It is one of the most sensitive areas of skin, so they require special attention in order to maintain a healthy appearance,” says Dr. Chapas.
With that in mind, Dr. Chapas offers these tips to help you keep your lips and the rest of your skin feeling and looking healthy no matter the temperature.
* Nurture your lips. The cooler months are hard on your lips. Not only are they exposed to cooler temperatures daily, behavioral habits like biting or licking your lips can also be damaging. “What most people don’t realize is that common behaviors such as drinking wine or coffee and eating salty or acidic foods can dry out the lips,” says Dr. Chapas. “But drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated and applying a moisturizing lip balm can help counteract the effects of these activities and improve your lip health.” Chapstick Hydration Lock Moisturize and Renew is a dual-ended lip balm that delivers long-lasting moisture to the lips and works great to keep the skin on the lips moisturized and replenished in the cooler months.
* Protect your hands. Your hands are often left exposed during the cooler months, especially if the cold air has dried your skin, making gloves or mittens painful to wear. Dr. Chapas says products that contain shea butter and lanolin are great for counteracting the abuse your hands endure.
* For your scalp. A thicker, moisturizing shampoo will reduce dryness on your scalp and prevent itchiness as temperatures drop.
* Remember the time of day. Don’t use the same skincare products for day and night. Instead, use products with protective, moisturizing benefits to guard your skin during the day. At night, switch to heavier creams that offer more hydration. Your skin will absorb this extra moisture while you sleep. For example, ChapStick Hydration Lock Day & Night contains two distinct formulas specific for day and nighttime use.
* Don’t forget the sun. Just because you’ve traded in your sunburn for windburn doesn’t mean you don’t need SPF. “UV damage can happen year-round,” says Dr. Chapas. “In fact, we are closer to the sun in the wintertime, and the sun can reflect off the snow, further amplifying its rays and causing sun damage. This makes it so important to incorporate sun protection into your skincare routine, regardless of the season.” Areas like the lips where skin is thinner will need even more attention and protection, since they are so sensitive.
On those coldest days when you’re bundled in layers, remember your skin needs extra protection and these simple tips will help your skin stay healthy during the cold weather season. To learn more about protecting your lips visit ChapStick on Facebook or Twitter. For more information on Dr. Chapas visit the Union Square Dermatology website.
by Mark Smiley | Nov 24, 2014 | Travel
(BPT) – You know that moving into a new home can be one of life’s biggest stressors – the packing, the paperwork, the unpacking and of course finding the nearest coffee shop. Making your new house feel like your home can help alleviate some of this stress and provide a safe-haven for some much needed relaxation.
“Everyone has a different sense of what home is,” says Elizabeth Lindmier of The Art Institute of Colorado. So while the same aesthetic won’t work for everyone, she offers her top five tips to start you in the right direction.
1. Texture and textiles – Instead of having a bunch of hard surfaces, cozy up your home with something soft or textured. This could be a blanket, curtains or area rugs. These items will also provide some acoustical value so noises aren’t echoing in an empty space.
2. Comfort – Have some place in your home where you can relax, recharge and feel at ease. “Make a space where you would like to spend time,” Lindmier says.
3. Color – A monochromatic scheme with pops of colors can bring you into a place where you feel comfortable and happy. “Do your research on color theory before painting any space,” says Lindmier. “Different colors can spark different moods, emotions and even behavior. Discover what you’d like a given space to accomplish, and use colors as a tool to create such environment.”
4. Lighting – There should be aesthetically pleasing lighting. Look at the difference between warm and cool lighting colors to decide what helps achieve the look you want. Also consider task, ambient and accent lighting for your space. “Lighting plays a key role in any home,” Lindmier says. “Through lighting design you can highlight design and architectural features, create lighting which is more useful to the human eye, and work with natural light while keeping energy use to a minimum.”
5. Clutter/stuff – “Less is more, but make it more meaningful,” says Lindmier. Get rid of your clutter. When sitting in your space, make sure you can look around and adore the things you see.
“Mies van der Rohe’s old adage, ‘less is more,’ certainly holds true here,” says Jackie Barry, Interior Design instructor at The Art Institute of Houston – North. “Select significant pieces of furniture and art to move. You don’t need to have or show everything you have all in one room.”
Barry also advises incorporating a concept called biophilic design, which recognizes the inherent need of humans to interact and affiliate with nature to achieve and maintain optimum health and well-being. “Bring the outside in; don’t neglect good views to the outside, accentuate them,” she says. “Let your garden and landscaping work for you on the inside. Connecting with nature can also have a calming and a comforting effect.”
For more information about The Art Institutes, visit artinstitutes.edu.
