Issue 144

March Madness has come and gone, and again, I have squandered my family’s fortunes only to come up empty in all of my pools.  However, some of you did play big, and you need to step forward to claim your prize!     If you are in the top 16, please send me an email (stapletonion@gmail.com) so I can contact you and find out what you have available to choose from.

1. Mike W.:  Jim ‘N Nick’s: $50 Gift Card
2. Rhonda B.:  Stanley Beer Hall: $100 Gift Card
3. Steve V.:  Colorado Beverage Company: $50 Gift Card
4. Dennis D.:  Happy Bakeshop: Build a Happy Cake,  8″ two-layer birthday cake (feeds 25)
5. Shane M.:  Etais: $25 gift card
6. Carmen M.:  Colorado Beverage Company: $50 Gift Card
7. Kristi A.:  Etais: $25 gift card
8. Isaac J.:  Poppy & Pine:  Flower arrangement once a month for three months ($45 value)
9. Nils S.:  Stapleton All Sports: Free mutli-sport summer camp
10. Tim L.:  Camp Gladiator: One FREE 4 week Camp Gladiator boot camp (valued at $189) with buddy pass
11. Karlyn T.:  Mici: 16″ XL Specialty Pizza & Bottle of Italian Wine
12. Christine H.:  Mici: 16″ XL Specialty Pizza & Bottle of Italian Wine
13. Travis B.:  Blue Creek: Gift bag with great skin care products
14. Jason S.:  Yellowbelly: $25 Gift Card
15. Frank M.:  Digstown: $135 Gift Card
16. Andrea V.:

2017 Stapletonion Bracket Challenge Prizes

• SmartSpace: $100 Gift Card

Jim Murphy has lived in Stapleton for ten years, but he doesn’t talk about it to most of his friends. “At first we would tell people we were moving to East Denver, close to Park Hill,” said Murphy. “That way, we wouldn’t have to say ‘Stapleton’ and worry about people giving us a hard time or judging us.” Murphy says the early iterations of Stapleton absolutely had the Pleasantville vibe which everyone made fun of. “Of course, everything was new. The houses, the trees, the streets, so everything looked perfect. And, of course, there were attractive young couples moving here, so that only compounded the stereotype. We didn’t want to have to get crap from our friends in other parts of Denver, so we kind of avoided saying the word ‘Stapleton’ as much as we could.” But, like a fine bottle of wine, Stapleton is aging well. The trees are growing in, the houses are looking more perfectly imperfect, and we even have our own train station. Stapleton is now more likely to be a place one is envious of than the butt of someone’s jokes.

[Read more…] about Stapleton Finally Cool Enough to Admit to People You Live Here

As Stanley continues to draw large crowds, especially on weekends, finding a close parking spot becomes more and more challenging. The weather hasn’t quite changed to spring biking and walking weather, so many Stanley shoppers are driving who may eventually ride or walk when the weather warms up. “We normally will be riding there,” said Eastbridge resident Nicole Berry. “But, at night, the temperature still drops a little, it’s a little dark for the kids, etc. So, for now, we have been driving.” Mike Paterson is in the same boat. “We live right there in Westerly Creek, so normally we will be walking or riding,” said Paterson. “It’s just been a little too chilly for me recently, so I have been parking over there.” Stanley regulars warn drivers that if they plan to drive, they should plan to get there early.

[Read more…] about Closest Parking at Stanley Probably Your Garage

Recently, a comprehensive report including information from the Denver Police Department (DPD), Denver Public Schools (DPS), and Stapleton United Neighbors (SUN) confirmed the rules and the signs posted at the Stapleton schools should be followed by everyone. Based on behavioral patterns at drop off and pick up, it originally appeared that the set of rules at each particular school were only supposed to be followed by some and not by others. “I thought maybe some people were exempt from following the posted signs and the rules set forward by the schools,” said Westerly Creek parent Blake Greenwaldt. “I wonder if the dozens of people I see not conforming to the rules know that or if they maybe thought they were exempt.” For their part, DPS has issued a statement saying all drivers must obey the rules posted by the city and posted for each particular school. “DPS has never issued any ‘passes’ of sorts which would allow parents or drivers to disregard rules and signage,” said DPS spokesperson Kerry Walker. “All drivers are held accountable to the standards set forth by the respective schools.” Swigert Parent Christine Winga is hopeful this ‘new’ information goes viral.

[Read more…] about Special Report: Stapleton School Drop Off Rules and Signs Meant for Everyone

Local Stapleton couple Bobby and Jodi Purdy announced they were divorcing, and while they found some family members and friends concerned about their emotional state and how their kids would fare, a good number of friends and acquaintances weren’t exactly distraught about the news. “When I found out Jodi was divorcing Bobby, I was psyched. I’ve been waiting to hit on her for a while now, but you know, the guy code and stuff. She’s definitely a MILF” said Steve Gerbracht, 38, and a friend of Jodi and Bobby. Interviews with local residents did reveal that many were more interested in Jodi and Bobby’s apparent hotness than the emotional trauma that such a dramatic change would have on their lives. One of the couple’s friends, Becca Wiley had the same sentiment.

[Read more…] about Couple’s Pending Divorce Stirs Excitement in Community

A recent article in the Front Porch discussed the proposal of a ‘noise wall’ along MLK turning into Moline from Ironton curving around almost to 27th St. One study found that “subject properties would suffer a substantial increase in noise impacts due to the roadway project.” The intent of the wall is strictly to reduce noise for affected residents, but there are downsides. The main drawback is that the wall will block the open space view of residents. “Of all the times the city is proposing a wall,” questioned Brad Mayo. “Their timing couldn’t be worse. Do they really think people are going to vote ‘yes’ on a wall right now. Besides, explaining to Stapleton residents how bad something could be doesn’t work. All they are going to understand is how bad it is going to be now. And for now, it would be blocking their view, as well as additional construction almost right in their backyards.”

[Read more…] about Residents Say Proposal for “Noise Wall" Mostly a “Blocking My View Wall”

As progress continues to be made on the 26th Ave. Park, developers have added benches for riders and walkers to take a load off. The benches are strategically placed along the walkway through what will be the park, and the company didn’t spare any detail in their placement. The benches all face due east, to maximize the viewing pleasure of those stopping for a quick rest. “We originally thought about having the benches face west so people could stare at the lovely mountains,” said Chris Klages, lead developer on the project. “But, then we thought people are probably sick of staring at those. The real marvel is seeing how our team moves earth and makes this into the great park it was meant to be a decade ago.”

[Read more…] about East Facing Benches Give Park Goers Beautiful Construction View