Staff Writer

The LONG awaited opening of Punch Bowl Social is finally here. The restaurant is set to open this Friday (11/18) with much anticipated fanfare. “We are really hoping to get in this opening weekend,” said local resident Adam Owens. “When it was first announced, I couldn’t believe it. A restaurant was the best idea for the tower, but everyone knew it was going to be challenging financially to figure out a way to do it.” Resident Amanda Lewis recalls how often she mentions to her kids that the tower was going through positive changes. “Every time we drove by, I would say, ‘what is that going to be someday kids?’ And they would say, ‘a restaurant.’ And I can’t believe they are finally completing the project.” Admittingly, the project didn’t go as smoothly as expected. “We should have known better,” said Project Manager Matt Marrion. “It was an abandon control tower. I doubt in the history of architecture and engineering, there is another project of this kind. It would have been easier to tear the thing down and start from scratch.”

[Read more…] about Place “Someday Going to Be a Restaurant,” Finally Going to Be a Restaurant

Stapleton mom Nicci Walker is a typical Stapleton hot mom. She takes great care of herself through working out and eating healthy. Like many other hot moms, she likes to look great without others thinking she had to work hard to look great. “I will put on some expensive yoga pants and a cute top,” said Walker. “I always do my makeup, even if I just put my hair in a ponytail. The look I think most of us strive for is that, ‘I’m hot and I’m not even trying to be,’ look. The reality is, looking this good is hard goddamn work.” Nicci makes sure she gives herself enough time to achieve her look any time she is planning to leave the house. “It takes me about 60 to 80 minutes to get myself ready. I’m guessing people see me and think, ‘gee she looks great. And she just threw something together with those yoga pants.’” This morning, however, time hasn’t been on her side. “There were some things I needed to get done here, and then a couple projects and assignments we had to get ready for the school,” said Nicci. “It has thrown my entire morning off, and I will definitely not have my usual prep time.” Nicci knows there is no chance she can complete the usual routine, so she is improvising. “I’m going to put the usual-type outfit on for one,” says Nicci. “Then, I’m going to give my face a good once-over, and throw on a hat. I really hope I don’t see anyone at school drop-off today.” Nicci most fears having the other hot moms at the school see her like this.

[Read more…] about Mom Really Hoping She Doesn’t Run Into Anyone at School Drop Off

The Essex family has always gone big during the Holidays. Parents Sean and Nicole have a five year old son, Jacob, and a three year old daughter, Keira, and love spoiling them. “Every year, I think I am done buying things for them, and then I’ll see something else that I just have to get them,” said Nicole. “It’s just so fun to see how excited they get to open presents and how much they enjoy playing with a new toy, even for just a short time.” The parents estimate they spent about $700 on gifts last year for the kids, and aunts, uncles, and grandparents probably spent another $200. “They get doted on pretty good,” said Sean. It is pretty ridiculous how much they have historically received during the season.” But, the parents promise this year is going to be different. “We realize we are spending way too much money on them,” said Nicole. “Especially for these ages. I mean, they only end up playing with most of the stuff for a very short time. And, they grow out of their clothes pretty quick.” Sean agrees things need to change. “We definitely plan to give more this year,” said Sean. “I mean, five and three year olds don’t need that much stuff, right?” Nicole understands it is going to be tough to not buy every cute clothing item and cool toy. “I already have agreed to cap myself at a certain amount, and then I am done,” said Nicole. “So, for every time I see something, I think, ‘is that great enough to go against my total allowance?’ If not, I have to move on.” Nicole says she has a strong network of friends who are going to help support her during this challenge. “This is going to be really hard for me,” said Nicole. “But, it’s the right thing to do. The right thing to do.”

The Eastbridge King Soopers has been open for a few months now, and overall, the “new” grocer is a big success. The store has more options in line with what the Stapleton consumer is looking for. The new Soopers has added more organic options, local produce, a salad and sushi bar, a Bistro, authentic Mexican street food, and even a natural body care section. These additions have most certainly helped the image of Soopers in the minds of Stapleton residents who had for years been disappointed in the management of the Quebec Soopers. “The choices do seem to be a lot better,” said Eastbridge resident Brooke Mercaldo. “Heck, my kids even enjoy going there now for the mini-carts. Those things are so damn cute.” Holly McFarlane agrees. “I’m not ashamed to admit I have had a couple sandwiches from the Bistro and they are pretty good,” said McFarlane. “And inexpensive. Sushi is pretty solid as well. I never thought I would say this, but well done, Soopers.”

[Read more…] about Eastbridge Neighbors Losing Touch After Soopers Opening

Last week Kelly Sturcke noticed a lot of vitriol coming from the popular neighborhood social media site “Next Door.” “It seemed like anything that was posted caused a fight,” said Sturcke. “Sometimes, it appears as if the post was meant to cause a fight. Maybe people are so lonely or bored they are posting things just so a fight or disagreement starts and then they can follow the evil banter like a soap opera. I just find it hard to believe that people would be so naïve to think posting some of these things wouldn’t start a fair amount of disagreement. Maybe not what the intended purpose was for ‘Next Door.’” Sturcke knew she wouldn’t be able to make comments on any of the “argument posts” that would end the conversations in a positive way, but thought she may be able to make a change by making her own post that everyone could get behind.

[Read more…] about “Sky is Blue” Posting Causes Major Fight on Next Door

Last weekend, Denver experienced some colder than usual weather for September with temperatures reaching the mid 40’s. There was rain in Denver, and snow in the mountains. Residents all over Stapleton used the cold weather as an excuse to lay around, watch football, let the kids play on their electrocnial devices and just take it easy. But, for the women of Stapleton, the cold weather was a wakeup call. “I was sitting there looking out the window, when I thought, ‘holy sh#t, my kids don’t have any cold weather clothes that fit,’” said Stapleton mom Linsey Corkery. “I need to figure this out, or my kids will freeze to death.” Linsey immediately went to her most trusted source of used quality kids clothing items, the community Facebook site Stapleton Swap. “I started pouring through posts trying to find stuff for my kids,” said Corkery. “I found some good stuff, then I realized this was a great time for me to get rid of stuff that no longer fit my kids.” Many other moms began doing the same thing. In fact, too many as it turns out.” The extreme concentrated traffic on Stapelton Swap caused the site to temporarily crash. “I was posting tens of items, and all of the sudden I got a message that said, ‘location not found,’” said Stapleton Swap member Jennifer Palmer. “It was extremely frustrating. I was making deals all over the place. It kind of messed my mojo up, if even just for a short time.” The site was back up and running within 10 minutes. According to Swap moderator Christine Frazier, tens of thousands of transactions were completed over the cold, rainy weekend. “It was a great weekend for Swap,” said Frazier. “That’s the purpose of the site. Letting upper middle class people buy great stuff at low income prices. People were making great deals all over the place. Now, whether or not items are ever picked up, well that part is out of our hands. We’re not Amazon.” Stapleton Swap continues to be the best way to bundle up your kids for the winter.

PTA member Dawn Walsworth. “Kids were doing lots of running and jumping and throwing. Winners of events were even getting recognized. Things were getting out of hand.” Swigert PTA member Robin Harris also noticed things weren’t moving in the right direction regarding field day. “Too many kids weren’t winning,” said Harris. “Sure, we never had trophies or ribbons, but people who were running the events were recognizing those who were winning, and that just wasn’t a good example for the kids.” The team of six PTA mothers from various Stapleton schools got together to discuss a solution for the increasingly competitive field days. “The first thing we needed to do was get rid of any actual sport-type events,” said Westerly Creek PTA parent Tracey Lembeck. “This couldn’t be done overnight or in a year, so we needed take away one at a time and then replace it with a non-traditional field day activity. For example, we got rid of a relay race and replaced it with a popsicle eating station. And each year, we do that with one or two events. By next year, everything will be a guessing game, or a treat station, or some leisurely activity. We are really excited things have progressed so well.”

[Read more…] about Stapleton Schools to Completely Phase Out Actual Events from Field Day

Stapleton five year old Beckett Shannon just turned five a month ago, yet that little f*cker is already outgrowing brand new pajamas his mom purchased for him. “It’s really frustrating,” said mom Nancy. “I mean, they are such cute pajamas, and they say ‘5’ on them. The first time he put them on, they fit totally fine. And now, it looks like I have been drying them constantly for a week. When do kids stop growing? This is getting annoying and expensive.” Nancy says this seems to be happening more frequently now than at other points of Beckett’s life. “I’m aware kids grow,” said Nancy. “But, we usually get some wear out of things, then get some new stuff. It seems like we are just getting something, and suddenly, that stuff doesn’t fit him, after wearing it once or twice. I mean, what’s the point anymore.” Nancy says she will continue to buy clothes for her child, but may be more economical about it. “I think I may go Stapleton Swap only,” said Nancy. “You can get quality items on there for almost nothing. Right now, I’m the one giving away brand new items for basically nothing. I want to be on the other end of this thing.” So, if you have 6/7 pajamas to get rid of, please post on Swap as soon as you can.