Issue 20

The new play dating site FindYourKidaFriend.com has become extremely popular, especially in the kid-friendly community of Stapleton. Stay at home parents are always looking for new ways to entertain themselves, their children, as well as get their kids used to socializing with other kids. In Stapleton, parents typically have used Stapleton Moms Yahoo group to arrange meetings, but FindYourKidaFriend.com has become an extremely convenient way to find and set up play dates. [Read more…] about New Play Dating Site Not For Everyone

The Holloway family put on quite a show this season at their home near Swigert-McAuliffe Intergalactic School. Cars lined up nightly in the parking lot to listen to the music and watch the impressive coordination of the music and the lights. Everyone was impressed. Well, not everyone. Warren Holloway, creator of the show, believes he can go bigger. “What we did this year was okay,” explains Warren. “But did it really say Happy Holidays the way the Holloways want it to be said? Probably not. Next year, we are going to blow this thing out, and it won’t be at our home.” [Read more…] about Family That Produced Holiday Light Show Plans to Tackle Larger Project in ’12

When Forrest City and the City of Denver decided to build the Central Park Exit, they certainly had the new 711 in mind. Although you cannot get directly to Stapleton from Northfield or the I-70 exit, you can easily be diverted to the Havana St. exit right to the 711. While driving on I-70, Stapleton residents may be tempted to take the Central Park Blvd Exit hoping to get dumped into the heart of Stapleton. Drivers taking that chance will get the pleasant surprise of being diverted right back on to I-70, headed straight for the Havana Exit. On Havana, residents will get a chance to pass by the 711, be held up in a 4-way stop, potentially get to see a train, and even pass by the county jail and women’s’ prison. Getting back up to Central Park via MLK takes about another 10 minutes, but if you enjoy the aforementioned sites, and you have the time, we encourage all residents to exit 70 via the Central Park exit, or you can take it on your way home from Target. ]]>

In a desperate attempt to save their lives and homes, the prairie dogs have posted signs letting Stapleton residents know they have rights. Head prairie dog “Dougey” is leading the attempt. “What’s frustrating to us is that we have lived here much longer,” says Dougey. “And now, they want to clear us out to create a park? No justice.” [Read more…] about Prairie Dogs Remind Residents “We Have Rights Too”

When Forrest City originally proposed the Stapleton development project to the city of Denver, they had agreed to create a diverse, urban neighborhood where people from all cultures would feel comfortable. That didn’t just mean the light blondes and the dark blondes, that also meant the strawberry blondes. [Read more…] about SUN Diversity Report: Strawberry Blondes Increased 7% in ‘11

Liza Kampstra is a hard-working stay at home, Stapleton mom. She is the household manager, as she takes care of the dishes, laundry, cleaning, paying the bills, and most importantly, she takes care of her two kids Kayla (6) and Rylan (4). She drops them at school, gets them dressed, takes them to the park, gives them baths, and carts them around to several other activities. If that’s not enough, she has taken on another responsibility. Helping other parents discipline their kids. “It’s something I take very seriously,” says Kampstra. “I’ll be at the park and see people letting their kids climb on things they shouldn’t be climbing on, and I will let those kids know that what they are doing is wrong. It is very satisfying to me, but also helpful to the kids and their parents.” [Read more…] about Stapleton Mom Takes on Responsibility of Disciplining Other Peoples’ Kids

At first glance, the Kesti household looks much like any other in Stapleton: 4-bedroom house, detached garage, friendly dog. But then their 18-month-old daughter, Catherine, comes literally bouncing down the stairs, in a plastic bubble designed to keep harmful germs away. “We tried everything, Purell dispensers in every room, even a surgical mask, but she didn’t like wearing it, and just kept getting sick,” explains her exasperated mother, Jenna. “The kids at her daycare were constantly getting her sick,” explains her father, Kevin. “To think of all those selfish parents, so desperate to go to work, that they’d pawn off their sick children on the school. I came this close to sending a strongly worded email more than a few times.” [Read more…] about Stapleton Couple Puts Toddler in Bubble to Stave off Illness

We are so honored to have had the opportunity to speak with the 2011 Mother of the Year recipient, Stapleton’s own Shelley Mayo. We asked Shelley a few questions about how she obtained this prestigious award. As I entered Shelley’s home, the aroma of fresh baked cookies fills my nose and makes my mouth water. The sound of her three children happily playing and singing instantly calms me and brings me back to my days as a child when life was safe and simple. Shelley and I sit down on her oversized couch with down filled cushions and sip on a homemade cup of warm chai tea. What follows is this enlightening interview: [Read more…] about Stapleton Mother Wins 2011 Mother of the Year Award