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Last night, hundreds of Stapleton parents attended the Education Expo at the High Tech Elementary School/DSST in the Conservatory Green Neighborhood in Stapleton. The Expo featured administrators and faculty of roughly 30 area schools. New high school Principal Avi Tropper was even on hand. The Expo served as an opportunity for parents to visit administrators from current and prospective schools. “We wanted to get an idea of the different types of schools, and their focus,” said Amy Richardson. “Of course, getting to meet the people in charge of educating our kids is a big bonus as well.” [Read more…] about Education Expo: Parents ‘Reasonably’ Request Nanny Cams be Placed in Classrooms

It has been a great run for the Dillinghams and the Millers. Their families have been great friends for almost five years living near each other in the Westerly Creek neighborhood in Stapleton. They each have kids roughly the same age, so they spent many weekend nights hanging out, having cocktails and letting the kids play. “We absolutely love the Millers,” says Susan Dillingham. “Nothing will take away the great times we have had over these years. They are a great couple with great kids. We wish them the best in their new adventure, and we definitely will keep in touch with them.” [Read more…] about Stapleton Friendship Ends After Family Moves 23 Minutes Away

Plans for the sixth Stapleton elementary school are under way. All that is currently known is that the school will be located in the Conservatory Green neighborhood and will focus on a unique way of learning. The yet to be named school will continue the path of Stapleton schools being modern, technology-focused, as well as project focused. The school will use the popular web site Pinterest in helping kids work through problems, create unique projects, and work together as a team. “There are so many ways Pinterest can be applied to the core curriculum,” says Denver School Board member Andrea Gill. “It can be used for math and reading, and obviously art. The great thing about it is that kids will also get a chance to add to the bounty of Pinterest ideas with concepts they create, which hopefully will help others, not just in their school, but globally.” [Read more…] about New Stapleton Elementary Will Focus on “Pinterest” Learning

The Evergreen Development team has the contract for the Eastbridge Town Center space not reserved for King Soopers and its parking lot. The idea of having restaurants and local retail close by is very exciting for many Eastbridge residents. “At this point, I just want to have some cool local spots,” says Eastbridge resident Jennifer Gable. “So, build that King Soopers, but let’s bring some really cool retail into the other space.” Resident Regan O’Hara agrees. “There are so many cool things they can do with that space. Obviously, cool restaurants, coffee shops, gift shops. I just hope Evergreen does the right thing and avoids getting chains in there.” [Read more…] about Evergreen Development Getting Plenty of Recommendations for Eastbridge Town Center

Stapleton inventors Tom Ross and Mike Smith have had several ideas over the years from technology based things such as apps to improvements to simple household items such as fly swatters. “We have tried some crazy things,” admits Ross. “Some things, I think, still have a chance to catch on. But some of the stuff, looking back, really didn’t make any sense.” The two creators hold several brain-storming sessions a month, and a few months ago came up with their most recent idea. [Read more…] about Business Spotlight: Stapleton Business Provides Motion Lights to Detect “Outsiders”

Every parent has planned a child’s birthday party and attended several other children’s birthday parties. The parties range from having extravagant themes, to being simple picnics at a park, with everything in between. Many people will provide snacks, order pizza, or make some food for the kids and the adult guests. Some hosts are even kind enough to make sure adult beverages are available, which is nice. No matter what type of party you want to throw or what sustenance you choose to provide, I have no problem with that at all. [Read more…] about Letter From The EditorChildren’s Birthday Parties: Let’s Stop the Madness

With the pending development of the Eastbridge town center, several concerns loom. One of these concerns is in regards to pedestrians and cyclists safely crossing MLK to get to the center. “Obviously, this area on MLK is going to get much busier if they put a large grocery store in there,” says Eastbridge resident Aaron Gaies. “It’s already a tricky spot to cross for pedestrians and cyclists with a blind curve right there.” Indeed, if Forest City hopes to continue to promote Stapleton as a green, walking and cycling community, something needs to be done. Forest City and the Stapleton MCA have recognized this issue and are already working to find a suitable solution. “We know we need to address a major access issue in regards to the Eastbridge Town Center,” said MCA President Liza Kampstra. “We have been working with Forest City, and they agree that a solution will be in place.” The MCA, Forest City, and the City of Denver evaluated several options, including a pedestrian crosswalk, stoplights, and even a pedestrian bridge. “After working with Denver traffic engineers, it is clear that a crosswalk, or a set of stoplights simply aren’t the best solution,” said Forest City Spokesperson Janelle Ayers. “It would slow down what will already be a congested traffic area with the Soopers, especially if they keep the gas station.” Kampstra says that a pedestrian bridge is not an option as well. “It would be quite the eye sore, and a pretty big pain for pedestrians,” says Kampstra. “We looked at some renderings of this, and nothing really worked with the area.” After two weeks of studying best practices in similar areas, the MCA and Forest City, with the support of the City of Denver, plans to build a pedestrian tunnel. “A tunnel is the most viable option,” said Ayers. “We can make it walkable and rideable, and it won’t be a massive, ugly protrusion that a pedestrian bridge would be.” Forest City says they have sent out RFPs to local and national architectural firms who may be interested in the project. “We are looking for something cost-efficient,” says Ayers. “But, at the same time, it needs to fit in well with the cityscape around it. We want it to be used by Stapleton residents.” Ayers says the plan right now is to have the pedestrian bridge cross from South Eastbridge to North Eastrbidge with an exit in the middle at the town center. “We are committed to making the town center work with the community,” says Ayers. “Once construction begins on the town center, construction will begin on the pedestrian tunnel. We will view it as one, fluid project.” ]]>

At the September 9th meeting at the Sam Gary library, representatives from the community, Forest City, King Soopers, and Evergreen Development met to discuss current plans for the Eastbridge Town Center. Soopers was first to speak when they unveiled a new architectural plan they thought would please those in the community. “We have created a larger walkway outside of the store, along with some shade and seating areas,” said Soopers representative Joel Starbuck. “It will give a good buffer between the traffic, and will certainly give more of a ‘town center’ feel.” [Read more…] about Soopers’ New Plan to be More Accommodating to Drifters, Homeless