Man, has it been a while! So much has changed in my life, and in the neighborhood in the five or so years since I last posted. Many of my old neihbors-- both ones I loved and some I didn't-- have left. The neighborhood drama has largely died down, only occasionally punctuated by staccato gunfire or a murder.
With the recent increase in affluence and density, the bigger concerns are burglaries and parking. Oh, and for some, gentrification, but I'll leave that for another post.
Tosh's Hacienda, which became Kiva, which became Blackberries, which became Swallows, which became Eden, which then became Downing Street Grill have been replaced by the Denver Wrangler. While I've heard their patronage has gone down since they moved into the neighborhood, they thus far have added a little stability in that property.
Jake's is gone, replaced by the swanky new Rino Beer Garden.
Hell, come to think of it, last time I posted here River North wasn't even a freaking neighborhood.
And just west of the neighborhood there now are all kinds of new establishments, including Chuburger, Fish-n-Beer and Hop Alley.
Blocks of warehouses are gone, replaced by offices, apartments and a shiny new light rail station.
Phil's Place is still there, more on that in another post.
And then there's the perpetually shitty Down-and-Out Super building. That's really the last bastion of the old Cole. Downright shocking.
I'm still here. Am I happy with the new neighborhood? Hell yes, unapologetically so. If you're looking for a resident that suffers from white guilt or loses sleep at night about gentrification, you're in the wrong place. Sorry. And more on that later.
Well, to those of you that have read and been offended by my posts previously, I'm baaaack.
And to those of you new neighbors that discover me now, you're in for a ride.
#NEWEASTSIDE
Monday, November 13, 2017
Sunday, March 04, 2012
The real differences between Curtis Park and Washington Park
What great weather today! I rang the first sign of spring in with a bike ride over to Washington Park and back. Every time I choose to ride down Cherry Creek Path, and at Wash Park, on a spring day like this, I wonder what the heck I was thinking?
Simply too much traffic on that narrow path, it is just bedlam sometimes. Groups of cyclists riding two-across pacelines on the bike path? Pure douchery. As are people walking three-across with absolutely no attention to other trail users. And don't get me started about the Jeep Wrangler I saw sitting in the middle of Cherry Creek near 13th today. Oh, the shenanigans!
But during a couple of white-knuckled laps around Wash Park, I began to think about how it is like two different worlds when I ride from the 'hood to Wash Park and back. I often think that I can't wait until City Park and Curtis Park becomes more like Wash Park... but it won't be all puppy dogs and ice cream when that happens. There are plenty of things I hope don't make the move over to our parks as the neighborhood changes. So, here, in my mind, are the differences between Curtis Park and Washington Park.
Thanks for reading.
- At Curtis Park, you're frequently approached for money. At Wash Park, you're frequently approached to sign some petition that is so important the future of the free world depends on your signature.
- At Curtis Park, people are pulling aluminum cans out of dumpsters. At Wash Park, they're just putting them in.
- At Curtis Park, people walk out in front of cars and bikes because they're high as a kite. At Wash Park, people walk out in front of cars and bikes because they are narcissistic and/or on a cell phone.
- At Curtis Park, you risk getting taken out by an off-leash Chihuahua running free. At Wash Park, you risk getting taken out by a puggle on a poorly-managed retractable dog leash.
- At Curtis Park, you see dogs where a desirable breed was accidentally crossed with a less desirable one. At Wash Park, you see dogs where a desirable breed was intentionally crossed with a less desirable one.
- At Curtis Park, you can get some of Denver's best Mexican food at the Creamery. At Wash Park, you are approximately 10 miles by the crow flies from any respectable Mexican food.
- At Curtis Park, people will consume anything they can get their hands on. At Wash Park, people will eat anything, as long as it is organic, free-range, cage-, gluten-, and high-fructose corn syrup-free, or is called "Fat Tire".
- At Curtis Park, people smoke because the cops have more important issues to deal with. At Wash Park, people smoke because their wife won't allow them to smoke in their half-mill bungalow.
- At Curtis Park, people sleep outside because they're homeless. At Wash Park, people sleep outside to protest Wall Street.
- At Curtis Park, you deal with annoying lines of geese that act like they own the park. At Wash Park, you deal with annoying paceline of cyclists that act the same.
- At Curtis Park, if the police show up, you know someone got shot or shanked. At Wash Park, if the police show up, you know a game of cornhole must have gone terribly wrong.
- At Curtis Park, if you see an ambulance, again you know someone got shot or shanked. At Wash Park, if you see an ambulance, you know someone overindulged on vodka and Red Bull.
- At Curtis Park, the people are incredibly naive about government and politics because they don't know any better. At Wash Park, the people are incredibly naive about government and politics because they are entitled.
Thanks for reading.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Who is more dangerous: My dog, or your son?
It creases me that when I'm out walking my dog that people in the neighborhood often grab their little kids and hold them away from my dog, frowning, as if my dog is vicious and poised to attack their kid.
I'm going to do the same thing with my dog the next time I pass some thuggish-looking kid on the sidewalk.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Daddy Bruce's Corner
Thank you JT for turning me on to this beautifully produced piece about Bruce Randolph.
Daddy Bruce's Corner from Indie Media: The New Journalism on Vimeo
Daddy Bruce's BBQ on Bruce Randolph
So I found something interesting today. Finally growing tired of looking at all the gang tagging adorning what I've been told was "The Bruce Randolph House" at 1629 East Bruce Randolph, I hopped online to request the city come remove the graffiti. I did a google search for the address, and came across a photo gallery from the Denver Public Library showing the home in better days, circa 1980:
Looks not unlike many of the independently-owned places over on Welton, and definitely a place I would have tried for some good local eats.
This guy must have been something more than a purveyor of smoke meats, however, to have a street named after him. So I did a little more digging and found this site that describes the importance of Bruce Randolph in our neighborhood. Turns out he was quite the philanthroper, regularly providing free Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to needy families, often serving up to 200 people. Here is a shot of "Daddy Bruce" himself, again courtesy of the Denver Public Library:
That's when I got even more sad about the old Bruce Randolph house, and of Bruce Randolph Avenue in general. What a shame that his home ironically has become the biggest eyesore in our neighborhood, and the stalking ground of black and Hispanic gangbangers attempting to stake claim to the block. And that the street named after such a wonderful person is a corridor historically filled with violence, drugs, prostitutes, and more.
I have no doubt that the future of Daddy Bruce's street will be very bright. It's not a question of if the prime commercial real estate and apartment buildings on the corner of Bruce and Franklin will be flipped, it is a question of when.
But the future of Daddy Bruce's house looks more bleak. The house is likely in the state where anyone with their right mind would scrape it and do new construction. That would be sad, but an improvement over the eyesore the current building has become.
In fact, the sooner this property is sold and either fixed up or demolished, the better. The house right now looks like a page out of a book on Broken Windows. But more importantly it is a disgrace to who Bruce Randolph really was. Thanks for reading.
This guy must have been something more than a purveyor of smoke meats, however, to have a street named after him. So I did a little more digging and found this site that describes the importance of Bruce Randolph in our neighborhood. Turns out he was quite the philanthroper, regularly providing free Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to needy families, often serving up to 200 people. Here is a shot of "Daddy Bruce" himself, again courtesy of the Denver Public Library:
That's when I got even more sad about the old Bruce Randolph house, and of Bruce Randolph Avenue in general. What a shame that his home ironically has become the biggest eyesore in our neighborhood, and the stalking ground of black and Hispanic gangbangers attempting to stake claim to the block. And that the street named after such a wonderful person is a corridor historically filled with violence, drugs, prostitutes, and more.
I have no doubt that the future of Daddy Bruce's street will be very bright. It's not a question of if the prime commercial real estate and apartment buildings on the corner of Bruce and Franklin will be flipped, it is a question of when.
But the future of Daddy Bruce's house looks more bleak. The house is likely in the state where anyone with their right mind would scrape it and do new construction. That would be sad, but an improvement over the eyesore the current building has become.
In fact, the sooner this property is sold and either fixed up or demolished, the better. The house right now looks like a page out of a book on Broken Windows. But more importantly it is a disgrace to who Bruce Randolph really was. Thanks for reading.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Still alive... barely, it feels like sometimes
Gosh, I haven't written anything in so long. In all reality that is likely a good thing, as my Mom always says, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." I've always tried to shoot it straight about the ups and downs of living in Cole, while injecting some humor, and it has been very satisfying that a good number of people have found it entertaining, or even occasionally useful as they evaluate a move to Cole, Whittier, Five Points, Curtis Park, or urban Denver in general.
It still amazes me when I get an email from someone that read one of my previous posts... back when I had a sense of humor... asking me to write some more. It's a small success but one I find quite gratifying.
So where the hell have I been? Working, honestly. I don't work from home anymore, which has been the healthiest thing that could happen to me. I know a lot of the same frustrating shit still happens on my block, but I'm just not around to see much of it anymore. Living and working from my home, especially early on when it was pretty sketch over here was more exhausting than I ever realized. It took me getting out of Dodge to realize it.
Only downside is that I don't get as much material to write about.
By the way I'm writing this post from a hotel in Philadelphia. I can't sleep because while I feel tired, my body still thinks it is MST which makes my 12AM really 10PM. I mention this because this likely won't be the most well-written post I've ever made.
It's ironic--Our block, and Cole in general is so much better now than it was back in 2005 when we bought our home, but I've come to realize that I've simply hit my breaking point, and my existence here is less about hope and looking to the future as it is of simple survival.
It is an absolute certainty that the economic downturn and housing crisis set the revitalization of Cole back significantly... I'd bet on the magnitude of five years. We have it pretty darned good on our block, but there are still two very cute houses on our block that fell into foreclosure and are looking for the right owners. They've been sitting vacant for over two years. Things would have happened so much faster around here without the recession. But oh well, could have been worse, we could have bought out in Green Valley Ranch and seen the value of our house drop by half, rather than pretty much stay the same as it has since we bought it.
I'm tired of waiting for Cole to change, but we're sticking it out. It's all we can do. Otherwise all the shit we've put up with and I've written about would be for nothing.
On that note, a couple on our block that bought soon after we did just moved away. They couldn't sell their house so they just rented it out. But they had hit their breaking point, more so than I. In fact, when they first moved here, they were involved with the neighborhood association, helped us plant street trees, and were optimistic about the potential of their investment. But over time they too got tired of the grind of living in the city and just ran out of patience.
Since we moved here, this makes three households (that we know of, in our circle of friends) that have come and gone after having less-than-palatable experiences in Cole. So to my critics--Suck it, I'm not the only one that doesn't see Kentucky Deluxe bottles, baby diapers and spicy Cheeto bags littering the street as the sign of a "vibrant" neighborhood I'm proud to call home.
Who is still on the block? Our friend's next door neighbors, who with a back yard full of trash and aluminum cans, music blaring, 8 people living in their 2 bedroom house, four cars monopolizing the on-street parking on our block, and a steady stream of checks from the state to sustain them, were a big reason why our friends finally moved out.
It is in fact downright amazing what is finally happening around here. We have a wonderful, locally-owned and operated neighborhood bar and grill in Jakes, the transportation hub on the near horizon (which will include reconfiguring the klugey roads on the north end of the neighborhood, and the passage over to another potential neighborhood gem, the Platte River, which is psychologically an eternity away from Cole given how difficult it is to get over there, by foot or by bike. We just learned of a European-style market coming nearby, and while it is a small thing, a new Dollar store in the Down-and-Out Supermarket building, which is the first corporate chain to show up in Cole since Burger King.
Anyone with more patience and tolerance than I would be making a wise decision to buy in Cole right now. They sure won't have to put up with the crap we did, nor wait as long for profound progress.
But we just moved here too effing early, and honestly, as a result, I don't know if I'll ever recover my faith and hope that Cole will one day be a safe, clean place where I'll want to reside, and perhaps raise a kid. At this point I know I'll be a homeowner here for some time, but I just might jump ship and just be a slum lord until I can get a couple of nice yuppies to rent our house.
I'm even more committed to stay after Saturday, when one of the gang-banger kids on our block (living in the house I mention above) randomly started yelling at me, calling me a "snitch" and telling me to "get off (his) block". This household has had numerous problems with numerous of the "new neighbors" including the couple that just bailed. But somehow, I've been branded as the guy that calls the cops, which in all reality is only about 10% accurate (and I've admitted to them when I was involved). I have absolutely no idea what he's yelling about now (in all reality, the last thing that I know happened was his sister calling the city suggesting that we left our recycling tote out in front of our house too long, hindering her family's ability to park their cars--Seriously). There are at least three new white households on our block in the last year, but of course, it must be me that "snitched". No matter the fact that I've been traveling and been away from home about 90% of the time for a year now, and likely wouldn't even know if he was selling WMD's to Iran out of his slammed Dodge Stratus.
But that entire household has had a huge chip on their shoulder since neighbors on the block started asking them to keep their two monstrous rotweillers from barking 24/7 and their baby's baby out of the street. Guess America isn't really the land of the free anymore.
This incident confirmed for me how short my fuse is anymore, as I let the little knucklehead pull me into a profanity-laden shouting match. Stay classy, CNM. I've been looking the other way for quite a while now, and ignoring when he says shit under his breath, but apparently have/had reached my breaking point. It's not good.
Probably a good time for me to ride off into the sunset too, before I get shanked or get a brick thrown through my front window, as a former neighbor experienced before we moved to the area (they were the reputed "snitches" at that time).
But I won't, I can't. I am committed to being here when he and his... um... OK I'll bite my tongue... family pack up and leave. I'll hopefully be home that day, sitting on my front porch with a Martini in my hand. That day, if and when it comes, I could be drinking Purina Dog-Chow-Infused-Vodka, and it'll still be the most satisfying cocktail I've ever had.
CNM
It still amazes me when I get an email from someone that read one of my previous posts... back when I had a sense of humor... asking me to write some more. It's a small success but one I find quite gratifying.
So where the hell have I been? Working, honestly. I don't work from home anymore, which has been the healthiest thing that could happen to me. I know a lot of the same frustrating shit still happens on my block, but I'm just not around to see much of it anymore. Living and working from my home, especially early on when it was pretty sketch over here was more exhausting than I ever realized. It took me getting out of Dodge to realize it.
Only downside is that I don't get as much material to write about.
By the way I'm writing this post from a hotel in Philadelphia. I can't sleep because while I feel tired, my body still thinks it is MST which makes my 12AM really 10PM. I mention this because this likely won't be the most well-written post I've ever made.
It's ironic--Our block, and Cole in general is so much better now than it was back in 2005 when we bought our home, but I've come to realize that I've simply hit my breaking point, and my existence here is less about hope and looking to the future as it is of simple survival.
It is an absolute certainty that the economic downturn and housing crisis set the revitalization of Cole back significantly... I'd bet on the magnitude of five years. We have it pretty darned good on our block, but there are still two very cute houses on our block that fell into foreclosure and are looking for the right owners. They've been sitting vacant for over two years. Things would have happened so much faster around here without the recession. But oh well, could have been worse, we could have bought out in Green Valley Ranch and seen the value of our house drop by half, rather than pretty much stay the same as it has since we bought it.
I'm tired of waiting for Cole to change, but we're sticking it out. It's all we can do. Otherwise all the shit we've put up with and I've written about would be for nothing.
On that note, a couple on our block that bought soon after we did just moved away. They couldn't sell their house so they just rented it out. But they had hit their breaking point, more so than I. In fact, when they first moved here, they were involved with the neighborhood association, helped us plant street trees, and were optimistic about the potential of their investment. But over time they too got tired of the grind of living in the city and just ran out of patience.
Since we moved here, this makes three households (that we know of, in our circle of friends) that have come and gone after having less-than-palatable experiences in Cole. So to my critics--Suck it, I'm not the only one that doesn't see Kentucky Deluxe bottles, baby diapers and spicy Cheeto bags littering the street as the sign of a "vibrant" neighborhood I'm proud to call home.
Who is still on the block? Our friend's next door neighbors, who with a back yard full of trash and aluminum cans, music blaring, 8 people living in their 2 bedroom house, four cars monopolizing the on-street parking on our block, and a steady stream of checks from the state to sustain them, were a big reason why our friends finally moved out.
It is in fact downright amazing what is finally happening around here. We have a wonderful, locally-owned and operated neighborhood bar and grill in Jakes, the transportation hub on the near horizon (which will include reconfiguring the klugey roads on the north end of the neighborhood, and the passage over to another potential neighborhood gem, the Platte River, which is psychologically an eternity away from Cole given how difficult it is to get over there, by foot or by bike. We just learned of a European-style market coming nearby, and while it is a small thing, a new Dollar store in the Down-and-Out Supermarket building, which is the first corporate chain to show up in Cole since Burger King.
Anyone with more patience and tolerance than I would be making a wise decision to buy in Cole right now. They sure won't have to put up with the crap we did, nor wait as long for profound progress.
But we just moved here too effing early, and honestly, as a result, I don't know if I'll ever recover my faith and hope that Cole will one day be a safe, clean place where I'll want to reside, and perhaps raise a kid. At this point I know I'll be a homeowner here for some time, but I just might jump ship and just be a slum lord until I can get a couple of nice yuppies to rent our house.
I'm even more committed to stay after Saturday, when one of the gang-banger kids on our block (living in the house I mention above) randomly started yelling at me, calling me a "snitch" and telling me to "get off (his) block". This household has had numerous problems with numerous of the "new neighbors" including the couple that just bailed. But somehow, I've been branded as the guy that calls the cops, which in all reality is only about 10% accurate (and I've admitted to them when I was involved). I have absolutely no idea what he's yelling about now (in all reality, the last thing that I know happened was his sister calling the city suggesting that we left our recycling tote out in front of our house too long, hindering her family's ability to park their cars--Seriously). There are at least three new white households on our block in the last year, but of course, it must be me that "snitched". No matter the fact that I've been traveling and been away from home about 90% of the time for a year now, and likely wouldn't even know if he was selling WMD's to Iran out of his slammed Dodge Stratus.
But that entire household has had a huge chip on their shoulder since neighbors on the block started asking them to keep their two monstrous rotweillers from barking 24/7 and their baby's baby out of the street. Guess America isn't really the land of the free anymore.
This incident confirmed for me how short my fuse is anymore, as I let the little knucklehead pull me into a profanity-laden shouting match. Stay classy, CNM. I've been looking the other way for quite a while now, and ignoring when he says shit under his breath, but apparently have/had reached my breaking point. It's not good.
Probably a good time for me to ride off into the sunset too, before I get shanked or get a brick thrown through my front window, as a former neighbor experienced before we moved to the area (they were the reputed "snitches" at that time).
But I won't, I can't. I am committed to being here when he and his... um... OK I'll bite my tongue... family pack up and leave. I'll hopefully be home that day, sitting on my front porch with a Martini in my hand. That day, if and when it comes, I could be drinking Purina Dog-Chow-Infused-Vodka, and it'll still be the most satisfying cocktail I've ever had.
CNM
Friday, June 17, 2011
Cole Neighborhood... Very Cosmopolitan
With all the shooting going on in our "up and coming" neighborhood, I keep thinking of this scene from Tombstone.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Swallows "Cums" Back to Life
Sorry, Swallows, I couldn't resist offering you one of your beloved euphemisms.
Anyway, my wife shared with me today that the owners of Kiva/Swallows/Exdo are taking yet another shot at putting a viable business in the old Tosh's building. Tenacious folks, huh? Kind of like a caged possum that will scratch and claw until it wears its little hands down to nubs rather than go quietly. Sorry, there's my podunk heritage coming through.
So the place is to be called "Eden", which Dictionary.com defines as "a place or state of great happiness; an unspoiled paradise." Sounds pretty nice, huh? We could use an unspoiled paradise in Cole.
Their tagline is "A woman's bar for everyone". Hmmm, again. What the heck does that even mean?
Is it owned by a woman, but she is allowing everyone to come in? If so, what is this woman's name?
Or perhaps are they just a bit reckless with their grammar and punctuation and it's actually a bar for women? Like, is it going to have really nice window treatments, and will they have Lifetime TV and Sex and the City viewing parties? But then it wouldn't be for "everyone". Hmmm, there is a bit of an inherent paradox in their name.
My wife seems to think it is a lesbian bar. OK that's fine I guess, but again, the name of the bar itself suggests some sort of potential conflict between those that might normally like a "Woman's Bar" and "everyone". What is it about this "Woman's Bar" that makes it good for both women, and everyone? I look forward to finding out.
Or, perhaps this is their attempt to re-launch the gay bar they're just dying to have in that location without the extreme, flamboyant gay branding that I'm guessing they found (as I suggested from day one) was simply a bit unpalatable for some of the credit card toting residents of Cole and Whittier. But I say why not just make it "Eden, a bar for everyone" and call it good?
The website says they're opening in five days. Can't wait to check it out and hear everyones' report.
Anyway, my wife shared with me today that the owners of Kiva/Swallows/Exdo are taking yet another shot at putting a viable business in the old Tosh's building. Tenacious folks, huh? Kind of like a caged possum that will scratch and claw until it wears its little hands down to nubs rather than go quietly. Sorry, there's my podunk heritage coming through.
So the place is to be called "Eden", which Dictionary.com defines as "a place or state of great happiness; an unspoiled paradise." Sounds pretty nice, huh? We could use an unspoiled paradise in Cole.
Their tagline is "A woman's bar for everyone". Hmmm, again. What the heck does that even mean?
Is it owned by a woman, but she is allowing everyone to come in? If so, what is this woman's name?
Or perhaps are they just a bit reckless with their grammar and punctuation and it's actually a bar for women? Like, is it going to have really nice window treatments, and will they have Lifetime TV and Sex and the City viewing parties? But then it wouldn't be for "everyone". Hmmm, there is a bit of an inherent paradox in their name.
My wife seems to think it is a lesbian bar. OK that's fine I guess, but again, the name of the bar itself suggests some sort of potential conflict between those that might normally like a "Woman's Bar" and "everyone". What is it about this "Woman's Bar" that makes it good for both women, and everyone? I look forward to finding out.
Or, perhaps this is their attempt to re-launch the gay bar they're just dying to have in that location without the extreme, flamboyant gay branding that I'm guessing they found (as I suggested from day one) was simply a bit unpalatable for some of the credit card toting residents of Cole and Whittier. But I say why not just make it "Eden, a bar for everyone" and call it good?
The website says they're opening in five days. Can't wait to check it out and hear everyones' report.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
The High Street Bar and Grill. More Phil's Place than Jakes
So I noticed a few weeks ago that the old Marco's-High Street Speakeasy-Jezebel's-Gin and Sin building had a new sign up: High Street Bar and Grill. So, being the nosy guy I am, I stopped in to say hello.
As was usually the case at Jezebel's, I was one of only three customers in the place during a Friday evening happy hour. I introduced myself to the folks behind the bar, who turned out to be Joe and Sharon, the owners.
Really nice people. Turns out she is the daughter of Frank, the long-time owner of the building. They have hopes of making it a good local neighborhood bar with some TV's for Denver sports and (finally for the building) some food. I rapped with them for some time to get a feel for their vision for the place, and have to say I believe they have a better chance of making it than the previous iterations... here's why.
One, they aren't paying rent, since they are the owners of the place. This instantly allows them to build the business slowly (and it will grow slowly, if at all) without financial pressure.
And two, they bring a network of neighborhood old-timers that have known the family for years. The two other tables that were there when I was clearly used to frequent the place when it was Marcos (but stopped when Jezebel's went in).
For me, there is the rub. Joe was telling me how they saw Jake's as their main competition. No way! Jakes has a better, bigger location, a vast restaurant menu, and is catering to the new neighbors with comedy, dj's, and a swanky (at least for Cole) Sunday brunch. From talking to Joe, and from noticing the neighborhood old-timers that were there when I visited, they are much more Phil's place. A hole-in-the-wall local bar where the local old-timers that curse the metamorphosis of the neighborhood go to drink Budweiser, eat Menudo and swear at the Broncos game.
Hey, I wish them well, hope they succeed, and I'll stop in again. But in all honesty I will be very surprised if they can walk that fine line between old and new neighborhoods. My bet is not, and as a result, the place will be the gathering place for old neighbors, not new.
And there is nothing wrong with that if it makes money.
At least until the neighborhood really turns, Rock Drill lofts get finished, and some professional restauranteurs or bar owners snap the place up and bring a little bit of Highlands posh to NE Cole.
So check it out, and see what you think.
As was usually the case at Jezebel's, I was one of only three customers in the place during a Friday evening happy hour. I introduced myself to the folks behind the bar, who turned out to be Joe and Sharon, the owners.
Really nice people. Turns out she is the daughter of Frank, the long-time owner of the building. They have hopes of making it a good local neighborhood bar with some TV's for Denver sports and (finally for the building) some food. I rapped with them for some time to get a feel for their vision for the place, and have to say I believe they have a better chance of making it than the previous iterations... here's why.
One, they aren't paying rent, since they are the owners of the place. This instantly allows them to build the business slowly (and it will grow slowly, if at all) without financial pressure.
And two, they bring a network of neighborhood old-timers that have known the family for years. The two other tables that were there when I was clearly used to frequent the place when it was Marcos (but stopped when Jezebel's went in).
For me, there is the rub. Joe was telling me how they saw Jake's as their main competition. No way! Jakes has a better, bigger location, a vast restaurant menu, and is catering to the new neighbors with comedy, dj's, and a swanky (at least for Cole) Sunday brunch. From talking to Joe, and from noticing the neighborhood old-timers that were there when I visited, they are much more Phil's place. A hole-in-the-wall local bar where the local old-timers that curse the metamorphosis of the neighborhood go to drink Budweiser, eat Menudo and swear at the Broncos game.
Hey, I wish them well, hope they succeed, and I'll stop in again. But in all honesty I will be very surprised if they can walk that fine line between old and new neighborhoods. My bet is not, and as a result, the place will be the gathering place for old neighbors, not new.
And there is nothing wrong with that if it makes money.
At least until the neighborhood really turns, Rock Drill lofts get finished, and some professional restauranteurs or bar owners snap the place up and bring a little bit of Highlands posh to NE Cole.
So check it out, and see what you think.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Another plug for Walnut Room
I'm at a loss for good content as of late. Other than social commentary on the welfare state, Lisa Calderon, or baby diapers in the dumpster (none of which would be positive), all I've got is pimping local biz that I love.
I'm sitting right now at the Walnut Room, the coolest place within stumbling distance of our house, doing homework and drinking a tasty martini. Colians, have you checked this place out yet? Best happy hour in our area by far. Best sandwiches and pizza in our area by far. Cool staff and people. Good (non Latino) music. Live music even. Wonderful patio. Need I say more?
If you stop in as a result of reading this ask Bobby, Kristin, or one of the other friendly staffers to put something up on the "future's" board for the white devil at CNM so I know you gave it a try. Plus I need free drinks. You know as much as I do how much we're all paying for our tiny old houses in the 'hood.
You'll like it, I guarantee. If you don't, I'll paint over the graffiti on your dumpsters free for a year. Honest.
I'm sitting right now at the Walnut Room, the coolest place within stumbling distance of our house, doing homework and drinking a tasty martini. Colians, have you checked this place out yet? Best happy hour in our area by far. Best sandwiches and pizza in our area by far. Cool staff and people. Good (non Latino) music. Live music even. Wonderful patio. Need I say more?
If you stop in as a result of reading this ask Bobby, Kristin, or one of the other friendly staffers to put something up on the "future's" board for the white devil at CNM so I know you gave it a try. Plus I need free drinks. You know as much as I do how much we're all paying for our tiny old houses in the 'hood.
You'll like it, I guarantee. If you don't, I'll paint over the graffiti on your dumpsters free for a year. Honest.
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Friday, July 02, 2010
Sometimes I Feel Like The Only One Trying To Gentrify This Neighborhood
I'm pretty sure I've posted this before, but here it is again. Absolutely hilarious writing.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Who says everyone loves the Rockies in Cole?
Kudos to a resident of Cole for passing this photo along. Apparently there are some Chicago gang member transplants out here in Cole, reminiscing about their home in the Windy City.
I'd provide her credit for it but I tend to get in trouble for mentioning names/handles/initials so I'll wait for her to let me know if she wants props for it. This is of course the vacant lot at Bruce Randolph and Humboldt (where a mixed-income housing development is supposed to be going in). These dumpsters, with their eastward-facing exposure along BR are prime real estate for the taggers. Hmm.... with that in mind someone should put a billboard there. Perhaps advertising birth control, GED programs, or perhaps one of the bail bondsmen on Downing? Heck, who am I kidding. At this point NPR, Starbucks, Heineken, Kendall Jackson Winery, and Golf TV should be advertising in Cole.
Gotta give these thugs some props for at least putting a little artistic effort in. Wonder if they're Juan Uribe fans, or perhaps Mark Buehrle? Go Sox!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
RIP George Nissen, The Inventor Of Trampolines
Did anyone else catch that George Nissen, the inventor of the trampoline died last week? I've always wondered what legacy I'll leave when I'm gone. What was George Nissen's legacy? Well, for starters, eighty years and thousands of kids with head injuries, broken arms and broken legs. E.R. docs and orthopedic surgeons owe so much of their livelihood to Mr. Nissen.
George Nissen's invention has even more meaning in Cole. I mean, what else would Colians put in their ten-by-ten yard other than a ten-foot diameter trampoline? It serves so many purposes: First of all, it just looks bitchin' in your front yard. Second, it keeps the ninos busy for hours in between visits from the paleta cart. But it also gives you something to tie your chihuahua to. Not to mention providing him a little shade when you leave him out in your front yard for 10 hours on a hot summer day.
But the trampoline is most important to Cole in being the precursor to the jumping castle, an integral part of any child's or family's fiesta in Cole. Yes, spring and summer are coming, and it won't be long before the melodic chirping of birds will be accompanied by the pleasing machine-gun cadence of air compressors and blaring, distorted latin music. I can picture the skyline of Cole now, being sporadically and briefly altered this summer by slowly-inflating jumping castles, rising like a phoenix over back fences all across the neighborhood. The only thing better than a jumping castle or a trampoline? Both, of course.
And we truly have one man to thank: George Nissan. God rest in peace.
George Nissen's invention has even more meaning in Cole. I mean, what else would Colians put in their ten-by-ten yard other than a ten-foot diameter trampoline? It serves so many purposes: First of all, it just looks bitchin' in your front yard. Second, it keeps the ninos busy for hours in between visits from the paleta cart. But it also gives you something to tie your chihuahua to. Not to mention providing him a little shade when you leave him out in your front yard for 10 hours on a hot summer day.
But the trampoline is most important to Cole in being the precursor to the jumping castle, an integral part of any child's or family's fiesta in Cole. Yes, spring and summer are coming, and it won't be long before the melodic chirping of birds will be accompanied by the pleasing machine-gun cadence of air compressors and blaring, distorted latin music. I can picture the skyline of Cole now, being sporadically and briefly altered this summer by slowly-inflating jumping castles, rising like a phoenix over back fences all across the neighborhood. The only thing better than a jumping castle or a trampoline? Both, of course.
And we truly have one man to thank: George Nissan. God rest in peace.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Welcome to Cole: Jezebel's Juke Joint and Brothel
So I rushed right over to the former Marco's place at 39th and High Street, to find Jezebel's Juke Joint and Brothel.
I almost fell out of my car I was so stunned. I rushed inside, soaking wet and muddy, to get a glimpse. I was greeted warmly by a man and woman (the owners, I'm guessing) and a cute little pit puppy named Diesel. The place is really cool inside--Very authentic, old, and inviting.
This place is very promising. Great happy hour from 4-7 M-F, and live music! In Cole! And not Salsa!
I had to leave without having a drink, but I'll be back tomorrow night for their live music.
Colians, let's get out there and support these folks. At least at first glance, they look like a very cool addition to the neighborhood.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Farewell Jerry
It's a pretty regular occurrence to see an ambulance pull up to a certain house on our block. Two of the sons living there are extreme alcoholics, and the daughter has a drug problem. One of them pretty regularly overdoes it, and call in the ambulance. The mother, an elderly woman with her own issues, has needed assistance from time-to-time as well. Since they have no car, they call 911 whenever they have a problem.
So last night I wondered who had overindulged when I saw an ambulance roll up in front of their house yet again. I expected the Detox van to be close behind. It didn't take me long to realize things were more serious this time, as I saw someone getting CPR on the porch. The daughter was hysterical and running up and down the block. I couldn't make out who it was as they were taking away in the ambulance. All I could see was a pair of feet--Skinny legs, white tube socks poking out from denim jeans. Could it be Jerry?
Unfortunately, I just learned that it was, and he died last night. I don't know the causes, but I know he wasn't well for some time and didn't take very good care of himself.
Jerry has been a friend of ours since we first moved to Cole and he shouted across the street as we walked our dogs: "Is they spaded?". He and his family had lived on the block for over 50 years. According to Jerry, his granddad built several homes on the block, including ours. He used to tell me about how he remembered our block in the good days, when it was shady and tree-lined, and when the residents all got along and often had block parties. He had been witness to a lot of Cole's history.
He fought in Vietnam and the French Foreign Legion before becoming a hydrology engineer or something similar. He had a property in sunny, quiet California, a place that would have been a lot better for his health than Cole, yet he stayed out of love for his elderly mother. He shared our love of the Rottweiler breed, of James Brown, and of fresh air. And he was an amazing artist. He often shared poems and pictures he had created, and I was consistently shocked at how the partier across the street was so talented.
He had a drinking problem and hung out with a lot of the old-timer riff-raff on the block, but was a good man. In a way, he was trapped in limbo. He was a throwback to the seedier days of Cole, and experienced that side of things every day with members of his own family. But while he stayed friendly with the old-timers he also embraced changes to the neighborhood as a positive thing. He frequently told us how much he loved us, and that we were good people, even though his sister was convinced we had it in for her and that any time the police showed up it was because we had called them. That didn't bother Jerry. He cared about everyone--old and new--in the neighborhood. And he had come to peace with a lot of the bad things he'd done, as he frequently told me. But he had really cleaned up his act, except for the drinking.
The last few years he's been hobbled, because his drunk brother had thrown him down a flight of stairs and severely broken his ankle in a drunken disagreement. Along with his COPD and his drinking, he had his good days and bad days the last couple years.
I'll never forget how he would go sit on the street corner with the old-timers and drink for hours--He was frequently drunk--But he was courteous to the police officers that often came and cited him for public intoxication. He couldn't change his habit, but he was very realistic about it and the consequences. He also called out other guys on the block when they got too drunk and got into trouble, not allowing them to play the victim card. He's also the only person I ever loaned money to on the block more than once--Because he always paid me back before I had to ask. He was all about personal responsibility. But bottom line, drunk or sober, no matter what was going on, he was a super-friendly man with a huge heart and a great sense of humor.
Jerry loved spicy food--I always shared my garden-grown jalapenos and habaneros and home-made green chili. We'd often chat over our fences about this and that--We didn't have much in common, but you couldn't tell. I remember when my wife bought me a "stingy brim" (fedora) hat, and when Jerry saw me in it, he complimented me on it. The next day he handed me three of his own, really nice ones, from the 60's. Jerry was a great, if unorthodox friend.
I just told Jerry last weekend that I wanted to sit down with him one afternoon with a bottle of his favorite Kentucky Deluxe and document some of the history of the neighborhood he always talked about. I had also always wanted to talk to him about the war, as it was clear he was deeply affected by it. I'm deeply sorry I missed that opportunity.
Some might look at one fewer drunk on the streets as a good thing. I might too, if I didn't know Jerry. But he truly was a bridge between old and new--Between black and white, and young and old. A lot of Cole's history--Good and bad--died last night. I've already caught myself looking for him up the block when I go out and get my morning paper.
We'll miss you Jerry.
So last night I wondered who had overindulged when I saw an ambulance roll up in front of their house yet again. I expected the Detox van to be close behind. It didn't take me long to realize things were more serious this time, as I saw someone getting CPR on the porch. The daughter was hysterical and running up and down the block. I couldn't make out who it was as they were taking away in the ambulance. All I could see was a pair of feet--Skinny legs, white tube socks poking out from denim jeans. Could it be Jerry?
Unfortunately, I just learned that it was, and he died last night. I don't know the causes, but I know he wasn't well for some time and didn't take very good care of himself.
Jerry has been a friend of ours since we first moved to Cole and he shouted across the street as we walked our dogs: "Is they spaded?". He and his family had lived on the block for over 50 years. According to Jerry, his granddad built several homes on the block, including ours. He used to tell me about how he remembered our block in the good days, when it was shady and tree-lined, and when the residents all got along and often had block parties. He had been witness to a lot of Cole's history.
He fought in Vietnam and the French Foreign Legion before becoming a hydrology engineer or something similar. He had a property in sunny, quiet California, a place that would have been a lot better for his health than Cole, yet he stayed out of love for his elderly mother. He shared our love of the Rottweiler breed, of James Brown, and of fresh air. And he was an amazing artist. He often shared poems and pictures he had created, and I was consistently shocked at how the partier across the street was so talented.
He had a drinking problem and hung out with a lot of the old-timer riff-raff on the block, but was a good man. In a way, he was trapped in limbo. He was a throwback to the seedier days of Cole, and experienced that side of things every day with members of his own family. But while he stayed friendly with the old-timers he also embraced changes to the neighborhood as a positive thing. He frequently told us how much he loved us, and that we were good people, even though his sister was convinced we had it in for her and that any time the police showed up it was because we had called them. That didn't bother Jerry. He cared about everyone--old and new--in the neighborhood. And he had come to peace with a lot of the bad things he'd done, as he frequently told me. But he had really cleaned up his act, except for the drinking.
The last few years he's been hobbled, because his drunk brother had thrown him down a flight of stairs and severely broken his ankle in a drunken disagreement. Along with his COPD and his drinking, he had his good days and bad days the last couple years.
I'll never forget how he would go sit on the street corner with the old-timers and drink for hours--He was frequently drunk--But he was courteous to the police officers that often came and cited him for public intoxication. He couldn't change his habit, but he was very realistic about it and the consequences. He also called out other guys on the block when they got too drunk and got into trouble, not allowing them to play the victim card. He's also the only person I ever loaned money to on the block more than once--Because he always paid me back before I had to ask. He was all about personal responsibility. But bottom line, drunk or sober, no matter what was going on, he was a super-friendly man with a huge heart and a great sense of humor.
Jerry loved spicy food--I always shared my garden-grown jalapenos and habaneros and home-made green chili. We'd often chat over our fences about this and that--We didn't have much in common, but you couldn't tell. I remember when my wife bought me a "stingy brim" (fedora) hat, and when Jerry saw me in it, he complimented me on it. The next day he handed me three of his own, really nice ones, from the 60's. Jerry was a great, if unorthodox friend.
I just told Jerry last weekend that I wanted to sit down with him one afternoon with a bottle of his favorite Kentucky Deluxe and document some of the history of the neighborhood he always talked about. I had also always wanted to talk to him about the war, as it was clear he was deeply affected by it. I'm deeply sorry I missed that opportunity.
Some might look at one fewer drunk on the streets as a good thing. I might too, if I didn't know Jerry. But he truly was a bridge between old and new--Between black and white, and young and old. A lot of Cole's history--Good and bad--died last night. I've already caught myself looking for him up the block when I go out and get my morning paper.
We'll miss you Jerry.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Bring Hooters To Cole
So who knew that I’d stir such controversy by simply stating the fact that the overtly gay theme of the new “Swallows Video Lounge” would likely not appeal to a significant percentage of the Cole Neighborhood’s residents?
A commenter was so offended with my commments, that she made it clear she would boycott the Cole Neighborhood Association. Not sure why she'd get such a knee-jerk reaction from one guy stating his opinion. Jeez, folks, what do I have to do to make it clear that I don’t speak for the CNA? Heck, I haven’t been to a single meeting in over a year. Not to mention the fact that I frequently get negative comments on my blog from CNA members. I just voice my opinions here. If you don't like it, no problem, flame away and/or stop reading it. But don't try to make any sort of generalization about a group I don't even belong to.
Now this commenter, a lesbian, practiced the ole’ reverse stereotype by assuming that because I didn’t find a bar that had sexual euphemisms abound about swallowing bodily fluids my cup of tea (or other liquid) that I of course must have wanted a Hooters there instead.
Initially, this bothered me. But the more I thought about it, what would make a clearly racist, sexist, homophobic gun-toting redneck like I me feel more at home in Cole than a Hooters? Heck, I do love me some chicken wings, and I also love me some sexy thrice-divorced aspiring reality TV stars in 70’s running shorts. So, guilty as charged! I’d rather have a Hooters in Cole than Swallows. At least it’s a proven business model that will likely last longer than six months. And if anyone won’t support the local Hooters, they’re clearly heterophobes. How shallow-minded. Then I’d have to boycott the CNA, too.
It got me to thinking—What other establishments might I like to see in the old Tosh’s Hacienda/Kiva Restaurant/Club Dynasty/Blackberries Bar and Grill building? Hmmm… the possibilities are endless:
• First off, as a homophobe, I must be a hard-core bible thumper, so of course I’d like to see a Catholic church there. Nothing would help me fight off those evil homosexuals like a stack of bibles the size of Jenny’s Market. Plus pews offer a lot of pass-out space for the regulars in the neighborhood.
• How about a shooting range? Everyone knows any self-respecting gun toting Republican NRA member would like to have a shooting range in their neighborhood. They could make Wednesdays "gangsters under 12 to shoot free" night (as long as they’ve got their homework done, of course).
• A Nascar video lounge. Boy, nothing gets my blood pumping more than the smell of motor oil and putting on my old number 6 Dale Earnhardt jumpsuit to go watch Daytona 500 re-runs on The Ocho.
• A Bass Pro Shop Outlet. Of course, Cole is a utopia for outdoorsmen. Whether it’s hunting squirrels, fishing at nearby City Park Lake, or bird watching the ghetto pidgeons that crap down the side of St. Martins Plaza, no doubt outdoorsmen like me would like to see our need for blaze orange camouflage and 12 gauge shotgun shells met within staggering range of our houses. It’s such a sketchy drive all the way over to Stapleton after a 24 pack of Natural Light, let me tell you.
• Oh! Monster Trucks! Yes! By golly, that’s a winner. Now although the space in the Kiva building is expansive, I know it may be a stretch to fit an entire monster truck course in there. But I think they could do it. I was at the Pepsi Center for a Thuggets game a few weeks ago and couldn’t even imagine where they put all the dirt and sweet jumps with all those rows of seats in the way. They may have to move the aquarium, but I think it could happen.
• And finally, I think the neighborhood could benefit from a professional wrestling ring. And none of that culturally-sensitive Lucha Libre, either. I’m talking good old, heterosexual white males on steroids wearing red speedos in a choreographed mock battle to the death. Nothing would signal the new, peaceful future of Cole like two 300 pound high school drop-outs beating each other with folding chairs.
So there you have it. There are so many other establishments that the mainstream Cole residents like me would rather have in the old Kiva building than Swallows Video Lounge. Thanks must go out to MSH, the poster that got me thinking about this topic. Without her help, I think I just would have settled for a laid-back, casual, come-as-you-are neighborhood bar and restaurant.
A commenter was so offended with my commments, that she made it clear she would boycott the Cole Neighborhood Association. Not sure why she'd get such a knee-jerk reaction from one guy stating his opinion. Jeez, folks, what do I have to do to make it clear that I don’t speak for the CNA? Heck, I haven’t been to a single meeting in over a year. Not to mention the fact that I frequently get negative comments on my blog from CNA members. I just voice my opinions here. If you don't like it, no problem, flame away and/or stop reading it. But don't try to make any sort of generalization about a group I don't even belong to.
Now this commenter, a lesbian, practiced the ole’ reverse stereotype by assuming that because I didn’t find a bar that had sexual euphemisms abound about swallowing bodily fluids my cup of tea (or other liquid) that I of course must have wanted a Hooters there instead.
It got me to thinking—What other establishments might I like to see in the old Tosh’s Hacienda/Kiva Restaurant/Club Dynasty/Blackberries Bar and Grill building? Hmmm… the possibilities are endless:
• First off, as a homophobe, I must be a hard-core bible thumper, so of course I’d like to see a Catholic church there. Nothing would help me fight off those evil homosexuals like a stack of bibles the size of Jenny’s Market. Plus pews offer a lot of pass-out space for the regulars in the neighborhood.
• How about a shooting range? Everyone knows any self-respecting gun toting Republican NRA member would like to have a shooting range in their neighborhood. They could make Wednesdays "gangsters under 12 to shoot free" night (as long as they’ve got their homework done, of course).
• A Nascar video lounge. Boy, nothing gets my blood pumping more than the smell of motor oil and putting on my old number 6 Dale Earnhardt jumpsuit to go watch Daytona 500 re-runs on The Ocho.
• A Bass Pro Shop Outlet. Of course, Cole is a utopia for outdoorsmen. Whether it’s hunting squirrels, fishing at nearby City Park Lake, or bird watching the ghetto pidgeons that crap down the side of St. Martins Plaza, no doubt outdoorsmen like me would like to see our need for blaze orange camouflage and 12 gauge shotgun shells met within staggering range of our houses. It’s such a sketchy drive all the way over to Stapleton after a 24 pack of Natural Light, let me tell you.
• Oh! Monster Trucks! Yes! By golly, that’s a winner. Now although the space in the Kiva building is expansive, I know it may be a stretch to fit an entire monster truck course in there. But I think they could do it. I was at the Pepsi Center for a Thuggets game a few weeks ago and couldn’t even imagine where they put all the dirt and sweet jumps with all those rows of seats in the way. They may have to move the aquarium, but I think it could happen.
• And finally, I think the neighborhood could benefit from a professional wrestling ring. And none of that culturally-sensitive Lucha Libre, either. I’m talking good old, heterosexual white males on steroids wearing red speedos in a choreographed mock battle to the death. Nothing would signal the new, peaceful future of Cole like two 300 pound high school drop-outs beating each other with folding chairs.
So there you have it. There are so many other establishments that the mainstream Cole residents like me would rather have in the old Kiva building than Swallows Video Lounge. Thanks must go out to MSH, the poster that got me thinking about this topic. Without her help, I think I just would have settled for a laid-back, casual, come-as-you-are neighborhood bar and restaurant.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Cole Neighborhood Plan Meeting--Tomorrow, Thursday, March 11th at EXDO
Have an opinion about what Cole's neighborhood plan should look like? Just want to be in the loop? Don't miss this meeting tomorrow night at EXDO.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello, my name is Courtland Hyser, and I’m the City of Denver’s project manager for a new small area plan called the Northeast Downtown Neighborhoods Plan. You are receiving this e-mail because you have either requested to be on the mailing list, or because you were already on the mailing list for one or more of the following recent planning efforts: the Downtown Area Plan, the Arapahoe Square Blight Study, the Central Corridor Extension Environmental Evaluation, or the 38th & Blake Station Area Plan.
The first public meeting for the Northeast Downtown Neighborhoods Plan will be held on Thursday, March 11th at the EXDO Event Center, 1399 35th St., from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The focus of this first meeting will be on identifying challenges, opportunities, and existing conditions within the study area. There is a map of the study area on the attached meeting flier. You can also learn more about the plan by visiting the project’s website at www.denvergov.org/northeastdowntown. If you have additional questions, you can reach me at courtland.hyser@denvergov.org or 720-865-2924.
Courtland Hyser, AICP
Senior City PlannerDenver Community Planning and Development201 West Colfax Ave, Dept 205Denver, CO 80202Phone: (720) 865-2924Website: www.denvergov.org/planning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello, my name is Courtland Hyser, and I’m the City of Denver’s project manager for a new small area plan called the Northeast Downtown Neighborhoods Plan. You are receiving this e-mail because you have either requested to be on the mailing list, or because you were already on the mailing list for one or more of the following recent planning efforts: the Downtown Area Plan, the Arapahoe Square Blight Study, the Central Corridor Extension Environmental Evaluation, or the 38th & Blake Station Area Plan.
The first public meeting for the Northeast Downtown Neighborhoods Plan will be held on Thursday, March 11th at the EXDO Event Center, 1399 35th St., from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The focus of this first meeting will be on identifying challenges, opportunities, and existing conditions within the study area. There is a map of the study area on the attached meeting flier. You can also learn more about the plan by visiting the project’s website at www.denvergov.org/northeastdowntown. If you have additional questions, you can reach me at courtland.hyser@denvergov.org or 720-865-2924.
Courtland Hyser, AICP
Senior City PlannerDenver Community Planning and Development201 West Colfax Ave, Dept 205Denver, CO 80202Phone: (720) 865-2924Website: www.denvergov.org/planning
Cole Chronicles
Cole-ites: (Colians? Hmm....)
If you haven't checked out the Cole Chronicles, a much better-written and more constructive blog about the neighborhood, I highly recommend you check it out.
The author just posted a very funny (and insightful) post about progress in the neighborhood:
http://denver.yourhub.com/Denver/Blogs/Your-Voice/Blog~743280.aspx
As always, thanks for reading, and for caring about our little 'hood.
If you haven't checked out the Cole Chronicles, a much better-written and more constructive blog about the neighborhood, I highly recommend you check it out.
The author just posted a very funny (and insightful) post about progress in the neighborhood:
http://denver.yourhub.com/Denver/Blogs/Your-Voice/Blog~743280.aspx
As always, thanks for reading, and for caring about our little 'hood.
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