Don Ferris: Fixated on Fixtures

For some people, the word jig conjures images of pubs on St. Patrick’s Day — guys drunk on green beer and dancing to Irish folk songs. To bike aficionados, it’s an integral frame building tool. But to Don Ferris, self-proclaimed geek and owner of Littleton’s Anvil Bikeworks, “a jig sounds like something made out of … Read more

Belmar Ice Rink: Make Figure 8s Soon Before It’s Slush

Coloradans are always looking for ways to enjoy the winter season. That’s especially true for the folks near West Alameda Avenue and South Wadsworth Boulevard, where the Rink at Belmar shines bright with twinkling trees and a lighted plaza. On break from ice skating, kids clutch paper cups of steaming cocoa. Others warm themselves with … Read more

Hooked on Hookah: Here’s the Buzz on Bars

“At last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice. “‘Who are you?’ said the Caterpillar. “This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation.” It seems to be a perfectly encouraging opening for an article, however, particularly one on the growing (if still somewhat underground) … Read more

Denver’s El Chapultepec: Cold Beer, Hot Jazz

El Chapultepec, at 20th and Market streets in lower downtown Denver, may look like just a divey little bar. But this jazz club has hosted some of the most legendary artists in music history. Greats that have played at El Chapultepec include some of the biggest names in jazz, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Ella … Read more

Denver’s Mercury Café: Swing the Night Away

Denverites and visitors looking for a fun way to dance the night away can find a hip time in a place where swing is king, big band music is the norm and suspenders are still flashy attire – the Mercury Café. The Mercury Café, which focuses on dance, food, arts and expression, started in the … Read more

Dinosaur Ridge: Tracks to the Past

It’s hard to envision when looking at the Front Range of foothills, but millions of years ago those mountains were at the bottom of an inland sea, an area that is now rich with dinosaur fossils and other prehistoric features. Many species of dinosaurs and other wildlife used the corridor to travel north and south … Read more

Denver Metaphysical Fair: Getting Your Chakras Aligned

Denver, known for its Old West, outdoor activities and … chakras? You’d certainly think so by the crowd that had amassed indoors at the Metaphysical Fair on this sunny afternoon. I had convinced my husband, Chad, to join me at the bi-annual fair, held in the spring and fall at the Denver Merchandise Mart. We … Read more

Wystone’s World Teas: Lakewood’s Cozy Café

The chill of the brisk night air is checked quickly at the door as my husband and I walk into the cozy Wystone’s World Teas in Belmar, the “downtown” district of Lakewood. The aroma of hot tea wafts in the air as we settle at one of the intimate tables. Wystone’s is an elegant and … Read more

Aurora’s Rancho Liborio: Ole’

In Colorado, Latin American food rules the restaurant scene. Cuisines of central and South America can be found in venues ranging from El Salvadorean papusa carts in the suburbs, to exquisite modern Mexican restaurants in Englewood, Lone Tree and downtown Denver, to an endless selection of taquerias and casual restaurants throughout Colorado. Whether you pride … Read more

Wine Bars: Toasting the Grape

Savvy servers are pouring wines and discussing them knowledgeably in wine bars proliferating in Colorado. Order them by the glass, by the bottle or by flight — small pours of several wines, enabling you to compare several vintages from a single vineyard or the same type of wine from different regions or produced in different … Read more