PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid *****ECRWSSEDDM***** Denver, CO Residential Customer Permit No. 5377 Stapleton, Park Hill, Lowry, Montclair, Mayfair, East Colfax, NW Aurora COLORADO DECEMBER 2017 NORTHEAST DENVER Blossoms of Light Color schemes change every year at Blossoms of Light. This year, the Alpine Garden will have more lights than ever before, with a blue, teal and cool white palette to evoke a frozen, iced wonderland. By Courtney Drake-McDonough more than 130,000 people attended Blossoms of Light in public event of the year,” says Allison Kiehl, associate he Denver Botanic Gardens has always been an 2016, an increase of more than 37,000 over 2015. Staff director of events. “It’s a big revenue driver for us, espe- oasis in the city, but during the holiday season, it’s attribute the increase to Denver Botanic Gardens being cially in the winter months when attendance is lower.” Talso a winter wonderland. Nearly a half a million more present in the public’s mind both on a local and Denver Botanic Gardens began Blossoms of Light in individual lights dot the expanse of the gardens, enhanc- national level thanks to the 2014 Chihuly exhibit and the 1988. Every year, the number of lights and span of the ing shrubs, trees and terrain. A record-breaking year, notoriety of the Corpse Flower in 2016. “It’s our largest show increases. (continued on page 38) Zoom In On Colorado’s History Through 100 Objects From Stapleton to Iraq: Staff from History Colorado Center A Soldier’s Story are setting up an early chair lift By Laurie from the Aspen Dunklee ski area, one of t was a the final touches change in for the exhibit plans, to Zoom In: The I Centennial State say the least. in 100 Objects, Chris and Kim which opened in Schmitten’s ex- November. These pectation of a objects, selected large wedding from more than 15 million in the in October museum’s col- 2016 was de- lection, illustrate railed the sweep of the when Chris state’s history from was told in prehistoric times April 2016 to the present day. The story of how that he would the exhibit came be deployed to Stapleton soldier Chris Schmitten spent the together is on Iraq. holidays in Iraq last year. These were the page 8. (continued on p.14) 2016 decorations for soldiers in his platoon. December 2017 1 Front Porch – NE Denver sta130324 MCA_Header_L5.pdf 1 3/22/13 2:24 PM Rain may have dampened the clothing of attendees at the Winter Welcome in the 29th Ave. Events & Town Center, but spirits were high and the reflections in the water made for great photos. Announcements at Stapleton On Monday, Dec. 11, the MCA, SUN, ing creatures, plus new technologies the Citizens Advisory Board (CAB), the to study these prehistoric giants and Stapleton Development Corporation (SDC) what’s newly learned about their and the Stapleton Foundation will host existence and demise. a Community Discussion regarding the Thursday, December 21, 6:45-7:45pm community name. Two opportunities for Saudi Arabia the community to provide input in-person With over 20 percent of the world’s regarding the community name will be avail- proven oil reserves, Saudi Arabia’s able on this date. importance to the U.S. (and world) The meetings will take place in the MCA has been clear for some time. Join Cube at 8371 E. Northfield Blvd., from Active minds as we tell its story, his- 1:30–3:30pm and 5:30–7:30pm. Dr. Nita tory, recent transition in generational Mosby Tyler will facilitate. At numerous power of the Saudi royal family and meetings over the past several months, the complicated role of Wahhabi Islam available time for public comment has not and Sunni Islam there and in the been able to accommodate the number of region. Contents persons wishing to speak about the commu- nity name. These meetings are an opportu- Christmas Movie at the Cube 1 Blossoms of Light 22 Panasonic Riding Data nity for in-person feedback for all who wish Friday, Dec. 8, 5pm to the Future to provide it. Join us at The Cube first forHow the 1 Zoom In: New Exhibit at History Grinch Stole Christmas and a showing 24 Voters Approve Bonds, Sweet William Market Colorado of It’s a Wonderful Life immediately Taxes, Green Roofs Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2 and 3, The Cube after. The Christmas movies are free The Sweet William Market will be from 1 From Stapleton to Iraq: NE News Updates and open to the public. The Cube is A Soldier’s Story 25 9am–4pm on Dec. 2 and 10am–4pm on located at 8371 Northfield Blvd. Dec. 3 at The Cube, located at 8371 North- 26 Salads and Pizza with A Focus Get the latest on 6 Marlon Green, The Jackie Robinson on Local and Sustainable field Blvd. Wine Education Series of Commercial Aviation sta130324 MCA_Header_L5.pdf 1 3/22/13 2:24 PM Wednesday, Dec. 13, 7pm Christmas Concert at The Cube 28 The Book Worm The MCA’s fall Wine Education Se- Thursday, Dec. 7 6:30pm, The Cube 10 Community-wide Meetings Dec. 11 ries will feature an educational aspect The Colorado Wind Ensemble will play to Discuss the Stapleton Name 29 Event List— to wine tasting. This sit-down tasting a Christmas-themed concert at The Cube and find more online at Master Community Associationwill showcase different wines from starting at 6:30pm. There will be a con- 10 Changes in Stapleton Signage FrontPorchNE.com different regions with a wine educa- cession stand available serving drinks. This tor leading the discussion. Tickets: event is free and open to the public. 11 PUC Grants Rehearing on 32 Nourishing Mind and Body Events & $10; $20 the day of the event. To A Line Crossings Enhances Health and Wellness Active Minds Seminar purchase tickets, visit stapletoncom- ThisAnnouncements is a free, no-reservation-needed public munity.com. Must be 21 to attend 12 After 22 Years, 33 Op-Ed: Open Enrollment for and no refunds allowed. The Tower Lands Punch Bowl Health Care Ends Jan. 12 programat Stapleton brought to you by the Stapleton MCA. Location: Sam Gary Library, 2961 If you have any questions or com- 16 New RTD Mobile Ticketing App 34 Middle Schoolers Pass AP Exams Roslyn St. Bypasses Payment Hassles Thursday, Dec. 14, 6:45–7:45pm ments about the information above, 34 Stapleton Update Dinosaurs! please feel free to contact jolsen@ stapletoncommunity.com or call the 17 Indie Prof: –Aurora Approves Creative Join Active Minds as we look at new discov- –Felicité Learning Preschool eries changing our thinking about dinosaurs, MCA office at 303.388.0724. –Stranger Things 2 –MCA Annual Meeting one of the most fascinating creatures ever to –Fee from Stapleton Home Sales inhabit our planet. From the Dinosaur era Jennifer Olsen May Go toward Affordable Hygge = Coziness and Communications Manager 18 Housing beginnings to mass extinctions, we’ll look at Contentment...and More the types, habits and history of these amaz- [email protected] December SUN News and Events 20 Community Rallies Around 36 Middle School 37 Letters to the Editor 21 Skidding to Safety Like us at Front Porch Newspaper Visit FrontPorchNE.com to comment for updates on local news and find articles from past issues. Santa’s Best Christmas Trees and events. Visit your local tree lot for your 2017 Christmas tree! Santa’s Best Christmas trees will be located at ABOUT OUR RACKS each of The Greens: 29th Ave. and We save old papers for your pets, packing and art projects. Roslyn St., and at 49th Place and We’re happy to provide a free paper for your reading pleasure, but would very Valencia St. much appreciate if you would call us to arrange for a stack of papers if needed for non-reading purposes. Please help us be sure papers will be available to others who come behind you. Call 303-526-1969. CORRECTION Get the latest on The correct telephone number for the new CareNow clinic in Eastbridge is 720.458.6825. Master Community Association Sponsored by Stapleton MCA The Front Porch – NE Denver distributes approx. PUBLISHERS: 35,000 free papers during the first week of Carol Roberts – Editor each month. Papers are delivered to homes Steve Larson – Photography and/or racks in Stapleton, Park Hill, Lowry, ASST. MANAGING EDITOR: Anne Hebert Montclair, Mayfair, East Colfax and NW Aurora. WRITERS: John Fernandez & Melinda Pearson wwww.FrontPorchNE.com The Front Porch is printed with soy-based ink and [email protected] 303-526-1969 the paper contains 30% post-consumer waste. We AD SALES: Karissa McGlynn 303-333-0257, 2566 Syracuse St., Denver, CO 80238 contribute monthly to replant trees equivalent to 303-993-9963, [email protected] Letters to the Editor: [email protected] the amount of paper used each month. December 2017 2 Front Porch – NE Denver Front Porch – NE Denver 3 December 2017 AWESOME STARTS AT 2400 SQ. FEET... A L T O ...IGNITES THE SENSES AT 3100 SQ. FEET... V I V E JUST WHAT YOU’VE COME TO EXPECT FROM INFINITY, THE NEXT GREAT THING... MODEL HOMES NOW OPEN. Visit us at 9056 E. 60th Ave in Beeler Park. Open Daily. www.infi nityhomecollection.com Austin 303.229.7845 or Joe 303.284.4535 December 2017 4 Front Porch – NE Denver Auto Autowash at Stapleton 37 DART Auto 37 Suba Performance 35 Blood Donation Bonfils Blood Center 8 Bladium Sports and Fitness Children's 23 Activities Center Neighborhood Music 22 Stapleton Churches Augustana Lutheran Church 26 Be3 Methodist Dinner Church 36 Denver Presbyterian Church 34 Community Rotary Club of Denver - 26 Organization Stapleton Stapleton Master 2 Community Association Dance Classes Dance Institute LLC 20 Your Soul's Movement 22 Dental Clair Family Dentistry 17 Lowry Family Dentistry 29 Nestman and Eng 30 Orthodontics Stapleton Dental 33