Wicked at Denver's Buell: lottery tickets

Just got this exciting news of affordable way to catch "Wicked" in Denver this fall:

Day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of orchestra seats will be held before each performance of WICKED, which will be performing October 7 – November 15 at The Buell Theatre, presented by Denver Center Attractions. 2½ hours prior to each performance, people who present themselves at The Buell Theatre Box Office will have their names placed in a lottery drum. Thirty minutes later, names will be drawn for a limited number of orchestra seats at $25 each, cash only. This lottery is available only in-person at the box office, with a limit of two tickets per person.

WICKED begins performances at The Buell Theatre October 7. Regular single tickets start at just $35. To charge by phone, call Denver Center Ticket Services at 303.893.4100. Buy and print online at www.denvercenter.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located at the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex Lobby, or at TicketsWest outlets, located in all King Soopers stores. TTY (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons):303.893.9582. Groups of 15 or more, please call 303.446.4829.

The Buell Theatre is included in the Arts & Leisure chapter of my Denver guidebook.

Denver's new Bookery Nook

Independent bookstores are rare anymore, so it is exciting to find one so charming as the Bookery Nook in the Highlands neighborhood of Denver. Located on Tennyson Street between restaurants, shops and art galleries, the Bookery Nook makes itself a worthy destination with its tidy adult and children sections (including a few puzzles and toys). They have weekly events--storytime for kids, book signings and more. Find out more at www.thebookerynook.com, and this will be added to the next edition of my Moon Denver guidebook but first they need to get my current edition in stock soon!

Moon Denver featured on Business Talk Radio Network

I will be discussing my Moon Denver guidebook with Pierre Wolfe, host of the "America's Travel & Dining Show" o the Business Talk Radio Network on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 2:25 p.m. Here is a link to listen in or find a local station:

http://businesstalkradio.net/weekend_host/pw.shtml

Silver LEED for Beaver Creek's Westin!

For all you eco-travelers out there, Colorado now has a silver LEED certified hotel in the Westin Riverfont Resort & Spa in Beaver Creek! I will be adding the Westin Riverfront to the next edition of my Moon Denver guidebook. It is the only Westin in the world to achieve this status and the 9th hotel in the U.S. What does it all mean? More importantly, how can you experience it? Here's how:

In celebration of its Silver LEED status, the resort has created The Westin Riverfront Green Package. Starting at $149 per night for a studio suite during the off season and $319 per night during peak winter season, the package includes:

Accommodations in a spacious studio suite
Purchase of Verified Carbon Credits to offset the carbon emissions from a round-trip drive to the Vail Valley from metro Denver, purchased from Sustainable Travel International
A bottle of in-house purified water delivered in a recycled glass container from Restaurant Avondale
Participation in Westin’s “Make a Green Choice” program, which allows guests to opt out of towel/linen replacement and housekeeping for up to three days for your choice of either a $5 resort gift card for each night of participation or 500 Starpoints for each stay
Complimentary valet parking when you arrive with more than two people in the vehicle OR in a hybrid vehicle

Guests looking to experience a little extra relaxation can upgrade to The Westin Riverfront Green Spa Package, which includes all of the above, plus a $150 credit to Spa Anjali and a stainless steel Spa Anjali water bottle. Rates for The Westin Riverfront Green Spa Package start at $199 per night. A three night minimum stay is required on both packages and certain restrictions apply. To book, please visit www.westinriverfrontavon.com.

What to fear in Denver?

I just have to share this silly article from the current issue of Westword that pokes fun at the Mile High City while giving some "pointers" to TV show host Joe Rogan of "Fear Factor."

http://www.westword.com/2009-09-24/news/fear-factor-denver-style-the-top-ten-scary-stunts/

Enjoy and laugh!

Denver's Giggling Green Bean store

I will be adding the Giggling Green Bean to the pages of my next edition of the Moon Denver guidebook. This adorable baby store in the Highlands emphasizes organic and eco-friendly clothes, toys, books, diapers and more for little ones with the motto, "Healthy Baby. Healthy Planet." For now, find their hours and address at www.giggling-green-bean.com. Even if you aren't a sling-wearing, clothe-diapering mama, there is just cute stuff here if you are headed to a baby shower or expecting.

Denver on Huffington Post

Life in the journalism world is changing (falling apart?) so fast that I don't know whether this link, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/denver/, should go under the "Internet Resources" part of my Moon Denver guidebook or "Newspapers and Periodicals" on page 217. Either way, it's good for Denver that the Huffington Post has a page devoted to news of the Mile High City and elsewhere in Colorado, along with New York and Chicago. It's not like this will or should replace the Denver Post anytime soon, but nice to see additional coverage of local news.

Denver's Delish Demure

I usually don't mention places on this blog unless I've had a chance to visit personally, but I heard about this new fashion boutique on the Denveralamode.com site and it looks too cute. Go to www.delishdemure.com and see the very stylish clothes they have, plus learn about their cool Sept. 26 fall fashion show and event--free, though there are $50 VIP tickets. This would go in the "Greater Denver" area of my Moon Denver guidebook since it's as far south as Greenwood Village but maybe the whole area will be neighborhood gem I've previously overlooked.

Free cupcakes in Denver!

Just this month I posted about a new sweet shop in Denver that will be added to my next edition of my Moon Denver guidebook. Now I'm thrilled to share that Living the Sweet Life will be giving away delicious goodies at their grand opening this weekend--I will be there! Go to www.thesweetlifedenver.com to get hours and location, or just call in for a cupcake delivery sometime.

It's time for Denver Beer Fest!

I wrote about the biggest convention in the country devoted to beer on page 102 in my Moon Denver guidebook, The Great American Beer Festival which comes to town every October. To kick things off this year is a "citywide celebration of all things beer" because you just can't have too much of a good thing (like chocolate, beer...). The festival goes for nearly 10 days until the sold-out GABF begins. Go to www.denverbeerfest.com to find out about beer-pairing dinners, beer tastings, beer tours, beer trivia (and prizes!) as well as the 40th annual Oktoberfest celebration. The list of possibilities is truly creative and silly and good fun. Looks like this will become an annual event too.

New Denveralamode.com

On page 121 of my Moon Denver guidebook is a list of Internet Resources for locals and travelers alike, and now I have another one to include. The entrepreneurial spirit has surface in another former Rocky Mountain News staffer (the almost 150-year old newspaper folded earlier this year, as I wrote about on this blog), this time it's Lesley Kennedy with www.denveralamode.com. It's a weekly email and website--the emails come as "the Sundae Scoop"--that follows Denver area (and beyond, she's currently at NY Fashion Week) fashion happenings. For example, what were the kids wearing at the Monolith Festival at Red Rocks this summer?

Denver guidebook adds Wide Open Adventure

In the next edition of my Moon Denver guidebook I will be sure to add Wide Open Adventure, www.wideopenadventure.com, as a resource in the Arts & Leisure chapter. Even for those of us who live in the Mile High City, it can be worthwhile to hire an expert for those more challenging outings up in the mountains. A bonus for tourists is the fact that the company will pick them up at their hotel and then return them post-adventure! Whatever your interest--fly fishing, whitewater rafting, snowshoeing St. Mary's Glacier, rock climbing or mountain biking, Wide Open Adventure can provide an experienced guide for you.

Denver guidebook update

On page 145 of my Moon Denver guidebook I wrote about how the old Gates Rubber Plant was "on the verge" of becoming the Mile High City's latest infill project. According to an article in yesterday's Denver Post, the plans are now on indefinite hold thanks to the struggling economy:

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_13320307

Denver guidebook: new sweet shop!

I'll be putting Living the Sweet Life in the next edition of my Moon Denver guidebook. This sweet tooth's dream just opened up a few weeks ago (in the Highlands neighborhood next to Masterpiece Deli, page 52 of my Denver guidebook) and I'm already hoping that they expand their hours. It's a mix of crazy good cupcakes, cookies and even candy. To see mouth-watering photos of their delights and learn more, go to www.thesweetlifedenver.com.

Denver guidebook on Frontier Airlines

I wrote about Denver's hometown airline, Frontier, on page 208 of my Moon Denver guidebook. This year the struggling airline (is there one that isn't?!) was sold. Today's Denver Post has an article on why Coloradans love Frontier and want it to stay the same:

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_13321622

Denver guidebook add: Highland Haven Creekside Inn

I will be adding Evergreen's Highland Haven to the next edition of my Moon Denver guidebook, and let me tell you why:

Last night I was treated to tours of the cozy cottages and suites at Highland Haven that feel like light years from the Mile High City, but are less than an hour's drive from downtown. I had not heard of this place when I was writing my Denver guidebook, or I surely would have included it in the Greater Denver Hotels listings. Honestly, I just don't know Evergreen that well but now I know exactly who I would turn to for that insider advice--the dedicated owners of this charming bed & breakfast. There are cottages intimate and private enough for a honeymoon and suites large enough for corporate retreats. The food was tasty, and in warmer months the patio is the place to sit and listen to the creek and quaking aspens. But wait, there's more! In 2010 they will debut a unique "treehouse" amidst the cottages--an elevated two-story 850-sq. ft. cabin between two large spruce trees. The treehouse will be built from sustainable materials and additional information can be found on their site, www.highlandhaven.com.

To be that close to Denver, that comfortable and well-appointed and be able to look at the stars...pretty special!

Denver's Oxford Hotel deal

I wrote about Denver' Oxford Hotel on page 154 of my Moon Denver guidebook, and now here is a chance for Colorado residents to get a killer deal this fall at one of the Mile High City's most perfectly upgraded historic hotels:

Denver’s historic Oxford Hotel is pleased to help support this year’s One Book, One Denver program by offering a discounted weekend rate of $79 to all Colorado residents this fall, with 20 percent of that rate to be donated to purchase more copies of this year’s selection, To Kill a Mockingbird.

In celebration of Denver’s “citywide book club,” The Oxford Hotel and the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs – with the help of students from Denver’s East High School – have decorated a large picture window overlooking 17th Street with 1,000 Origami birds and images of the book. A unique sound art installation by renowned artist Jim Green reads passages of the book aloud whenever someone sits on the bench under the display window. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper officially unveiled the window at a ceremony at The Oxford Hotel this morning.

The Oxford’s One Book, One Denver room rate is $79 per night, 20 percent of which will be donated to the program to be used to purchase books for Denver’s Public Library system. All books will be donated to Denver Public Schools following the promotion. To book the One Book, One Denver room rate at The Oxford Hotel, please phone (800) 228-5838, or visit www.theoxfordhotel.com. The special rate is valid for stays Friday-Sunday nights through Dec. 30, 2009, based on availability.

The goal of One Book, One Denver is to encourage Denver citizens to join in the shared experience of simultaneously reading the same book and participating in a wide variety of fun events and activities. The program – and the Oxford Hotel display window – will run through the end of October. For more information, please visit www.denvergov.org/onebook/.

The renowned Oxford Hotel has played a central part in Denver’s colorful past since 1891. The hotel recently completed an extensive renovation, including a new cutting edge technology system. New in-room amenities include flat screen TVs, complimentary wireless and wired high-speed internet service and Bose Wave radios with iPod docking stations. Interior upgrades include elegant new carpeting, wall treatments and draperies, as well as luxurious pillow top mattresses and bedding.

Denver's LoHi Steakhouse

I'm a proud resident of Denver's Highlands neighborhood as you may know from reading my Moon Denver guidebook. I'll be adding a new restaurant in my neighborhood to the next edition of my Denver guidebook. Tonight I had a chance to try the relatively new LoHi Steakhouse at 32nd & Tejon. I am so thrilled with the rehab inside and out on this place that I'd just about recommend it on that alone. The food is pretty basic--steaks (of course), burgers, sandwiches with dinner, lunch and brunch all served here depending on the day of the week. But it was a decent meal and if I'd had more time, I would have stayed for a chocolate pudding dessert that sounded scrumptious. My only complaint would be the way too loud music. Now I understand why the patio is always so crowded! You can probably hear each other out there. Still, the place was pretty packed with pretty people all enjoying a drink and a bite on a late summer Wednesday night. Insider tip: They also offer Little Man Ice Cream from the nearby ice cream "can" on their dessert menu.

Denver guidebook savings tip for winter getaway

I included several places to ski, stay and dine in the Vail Valley in the Excursions chapter of my Moon Denver guidebook, and I have previously blogged about how I will be certainly including the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Beaver Creek in my next edition. Now here's a deal for all Colorado residents:

WHAT: Elevate your ski vacation this winter at Vail Valley’s new Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa and our new Colorado Residents Deal! All Colorado locals who book a winter getaway to Beaver Creek’s Westin Riverfront can receive 15 percent off standard ski season rates on our studio suites and spacious 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom condominiums - all of which feature a fireplace, a living area, a large five-piece bathroom and a custom kitchen.

WHEN: The 15% Colorado Resident discount lasts all ski season long.

WHY: Because we love living in Colorado and know you do too!

This is a fantastic opportunity to experience Beaver Creek this ski season at amazing prices. Winter rates at The Westin Riverfront start $249 per night for a studio suite, $369 per night for a one bedroom condominium, $649 per night for a two bedroom and $1,049 for a three bedroom.

For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.westinriverfrontavon.com or call 1-866-949-1616. To receive the 15% Colorado Residents discount when booking online, please include SET# 386543.