Denver youth swim free

On page 116 of my Moon Denver guidebook I noted that in 2008 Mayor Hickenlooper announced free swimming pool access for all Denver youth, 17 and under. With the economy struggling, it didn't look like that would happen again this year. But good news! Kaiser offered $150K, which will supplement any lost fees. The free program goes from June 27 through Aug. 15, 2009. I know this means we will be frequenting the pools more often, on days when we are not at swim class.

Kids free on Denver light rail

On page 210 of my Moon Denver guidebook I wrote about the Denver light rail trains that currently provide service from downtown to the suburbs, with a few stops to great neighborhoods along the way. What I didn't know at the time was that kids under 5 ride free on the light rail. I'll look into whether this is also the case on RTD buses, but I suspect it is the same. What a deal! My daughter and I took the light rail to the South Pearl Street Farmers' Market this morning and she loved the train ride. It was a cheap thrill, as they say! Unfortunately, the "farmers' market" that I also wrote about on page 140 of my Moon Denver guidebook was not as I remembered (or described in my book). There was barely any produce and I am not convinced they were even farmers since half their produce was from the grocery store (with stickers!). I would still recommend it, but it is a street fair with goods from some of the local shops for sale.

Back in Denver

I've just returned from a wonderful summer vacation to my husband's hometown in Wisconsin. While the vacation was idyllic, I didn't realize how much I'd missed Denver until driving in from DIA and taking in the full wide open sky. I neglected to mention this in my Moon Denver guidebook, the wide open skies of the West. I think that I was just taking them for granted, thinking of wide open sky of Wyoming, but I was really astonished at those amazing horizon lines, the clear blue skies and the fresh, dry air. Aaah, home!

Denver deals at CHM

My Moon Denver guidebook included the Colorado History Museum on page 25. For $52.80 they have a Father's Day special that will buy a pass good for other historical sites around the state for the rest of 2009. Quite a bargain for history buffs!

Central City Opera opens in June!

On pages 175-176 of my Moon Denver guidebook I wrote about the Central City Opera House and I just wanted to give a heads up that opera season begins June 27 and goes through August 2. The 2009 season includes "Lucia di Lammermoor," "A Little Night Music" and "Rinaldo" for both matinee and evening shows. Look for discounts on large groups and other deals.

NEW!...Denver's Primebar

This evening I had a chance to enjoy the grand opening of PrimeBar in downtown Denver. I will certainly be included this new hotspot in the next edition of my Moon Denver handbook. The restaurant/bar is right on the 16th Street Mall at Arapahoe Street and I swear the interior stretches for a whole block! The outdoor patio with hip couches and tables was full even on a rainy, warm spring night. Over the bars are huge tvs, but you can also find booths away from the screens. The menu has something for everyone--with upscale apps and large entrees that include steak, pasta, "two-handed sandwiches" and what I might call "don't be shy" desserts. Go to www.primebaramerica.com for hours and directions.

NEW!...Larkburger in Boulder

In the Excursions chapter of my Moon Denver guidebook I wrote about Larkburger in Edwards, not far from Vail. The good news is that Boulder and Denver residents have a much shorter drive to get their truffle-parmesan fry fix! Larkburger opened in Boulder less than a year ago and business is booming--or at least it appeared to be the couple of times I was there recently. Fun fact: their disposable utensils are made from potatoes. Somehow. How cool is that?

Denver comments, please!

I would appreciate any and all feedback about my Moon Denver guidebook and this blog. The way it is setup only allows new comments to my posts, so please use this post as a place for those comments on any topic. Favorite restaurant not in the book? Tell me about it! New shop opened up? I want to know! Something I suggested fell short of expectations? I'm all ears! I hope that sometime this year I can also host a contest on this blog and giveaway a copy of my Denver guidebook to one of my blog visitors and/or readers. Details to come.

GONE!...Via Trattoria

On page 46 of my Moon Denver guidebook I wrote about Via Trattoria & Bar in LoDo as an alternative to the many brewpubs in the neighborhood. I'll be on the hunt for a new wine bar since Via Trattoria is closed for good, but I will keep readers posted on the results of my search. I did hear about a place in Larimer Square...

Denver's own Kevin Taylor's at the Opera House

I'm sorry to say I made a mistake in my first edition Moon Denver guidebook. I should have included Kevin Taylor's at the Opera House, which is a sprawling restaurant underneath the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. The restaurant is only open for pre-theater cocktails and dinner on show nights for the Buell Theatre, Ellie Caulkins Opera House and Boettcher Concert Hall. I will certainly include this restaurant in my next edition!

A Bronx Tale in Denver

Of course I mentioned the Ellie Caulkins Opera House on page 93 of my Moon Denver guidebook, but the other night I had a chance to enjoy the incredible Chazz Palmintieri in his own "A Bronx Tale" in this spectacular theater. I don't think there is a bad seat in the house! If you get chance, the show is on through June 21, 2009. It's nothing like the movie as Mr. Palmintieri plays all the "parts" in a 1.5-hour monologue of sorts. Really a fabulous evening in a special theater.

Denver's Tocabe restaurant

Opened well after I completed my Moon Denver guidebook, Tocabe is Denver's first and only Native American fare restaurant. I keep hearing great things about it and can't wait to try it myself soon. It's set up like a Chipotle or the like, where diners order the basic and the sides before finding a table at this casual eatery. The basics include Native American staple fry bread, pinto beans and are enhanced by more HIspanic flavors with salsa sides. It's in the Highlands neighborhood and becoming a local favorite.

Denver spa and dine

I did write about the Woodhouse Day Spa on page 137 of my Moon Denver guidebook, but what I just learned is that while getting treatments you can also order food from local restaurants. How about that pedicure while enjoying a nibble of something from D-Bar Desserts (page 149 of my Denver guidebook)? Sounds like a mini-staycation to me...

Denver's Little Man Ice Cream

People are as picky about their ice cream as they are about their beer. I've decided that I will most definitely add Little Man Ice Cream to my next edition of my Moon Denver guidebook. You can't miss Little Man if you come over the 16th Street Pedestrian Bridge into the Highlands neighborhood, where this oversized replica of an old-fashioned milk can attracts ice cream lovers year-round. The location is awesome directly across the street from Hirshorn Park and playground, around the corner from Vita Restaurant, down the street from Z Cuisine. I like Little Man for many reasons, but confess they are not my #1 favorite ice cream. However, there are many people who put it at the top of their list and that's why I'm adding it to mine--and maybe yours too!

Denver planner

While writing my Moon Denver guidebook, I learned more about the women who have made a difference in the Mile High City. Dana Crawford comes to mind. Here is a link to a Denver Post article, http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_12533437, about Tami Door and her work with Downtown Denver Partnership to make the city sparkle.

Denver's Colorado History Museum

Kids 12 and under are free on Saturdays at the Colorado History Museum! Either this is new or I was unaware of it when I wrote about the Colorado History Museum on page 25 of my Moon Denver guidebook. Activities for all ages are available on Saturdays from 11-3. Be sure to check their site, www.coloradohistory.org, to find out about the many programs going on each week.

Denver guidebook & Pikes Peak concert

I wrote about the many ways to visit Pikes Peak on page 185 of my Moon Denver guidebook, but I did not mention that there is the occasional rock concert at the top. OK, maybe it's a one-time event for a good charity, http://www.denverpost.com/ci_12528154 or a new trend?

Moon Denver guidebook in Westword

Be sure to pick up the shiny & new Westword 2009 summer guide that features a lovely article on none other than my Moon Denver guidebook and a mention of this little blog! I sure appreciate it and hope lots of folks see it soon.

Rocky Mountain National Park Free Days!

Awesome news from the Interior Department--3 free weekends at national parks this summer. That means that Rocky Mountain National Park, which I wrote about in the Excursions chapter of my Moon Denver guidebook, will be free on the following dates:
June 20 & 21, July 18 & 19, Aug. 15 & 16. The idea is to get visitors to spend their savings nearby so check out the Estes Park restaurants, hotels and shops in my Moon Denver guidebook as well.

Denver neighborhood gets nod

Oh, and it's my very own neighborhood too! This Men's Journal article, http://www.mensjournal.com/the-best-nabes-central, talks about what makes the East Highlands (also called LoHi) area so fabulous--the restaurants, the pedestrian access to so much culture, nature, community! I of course included the greater Highlands neighborhood in my Moon Denver guidebook. Glad I'm not alone in my appreciation of the 'hood.

Denver chefs chit-chat

Check out this link, http://ow.ly/aDoY, to hear what some of Denver's top chefs say about the Mile High dining scene. In my Moon Denver guidebook I included Elway's, Zengo, Steuben's and Vesta and now you can get to know their owners and chefs a little better. If the link does not work, you might also find it on www.denver.org, the Visit Denver site.

Denver history walks

I just got a great comment from the Colorado History Museum for my Moon Denver guidebook readers. In case the comment isn't obvious, here are the details:
Discover Denver Early Morning Walking Tours

Enjoy discovering the history of two of Denver’s most historic districts in the cool and comfortable early hours of the weekend. Each tour is two hours long, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and will highlight the fascinating history of that district. No reservations are necessary.

Meet at:
LoDo Tour meets in front of Union Station.
Civic Center Tour meets at Panera Bread, 13th and Grant.

When:
LoDo tours are offered the first and third Saturdays of the month.
Civic Center tours are offered the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.
Discover Denver Early Morning Walking Tours are offered from June 6 through September 26, 2009, at 9:00 a.m.
*There will be no tour on Saturday, July 4

Cost: $5 per person

To sign up: No reservations are necessary. Call 303/866-4686 for more information.

Denver guidebook music festival updates

In my Moon Denver guidebook--on page 193 of the "Excursions" chapter--I wrote about the various music festivals that take place during the summer. I've just received some handy updates from the Colorado Music Alliance, www.coloradomusicalliance.com, and while some of the festivals that they include are beyond the scope of my Denver guidebook you are sure to find fabulous concerts to attend statewide. The Colorado Music Festival in Boulder begins June 27 and runs through August 7; Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival is from July 1--Aug. 4; Central City Opera will be from June 27-August 2.