Stapleton continues to have its crime issues, but the most recent story rocked the Denver community. Last Thursday, early in the morning, an alarm went off and items were taken from the store, including hunting rifles, a shotgun, and other items. The news would not be so shocking, except this time, it was NOT Walmart. The Northfield Bass Pro Shops was broken into, and alarms went off around 2:30 in the morning. “It’s really scary,” said resident Jeff Shaner. “We expect this kind of crime on our streets and garages, and of course, our Walmart, but not our beloved Bass Pro Shops. It needs to stop.” [Read more…] about Guns Stolen from Not Walmart

Most can agree that Forest City has historically not done enough to keep up with its original low income housing and diversity goals. The developer has continually added high income housing and even apartment complexes meant for those with higher incomes. “Forest City is well behind it’s originally stated socioeconomic diversity goals,” said SUN CAB member Tony McGovern. “We have continually spoken with them and tried to work with them to see what can be done. They usually just tell us things like, ‘we’ll get there,’ without ever doing anything about it.” [Read more…] about Stapleton Struggles to Keep Up with Low Income Housing Surge

The Republican debates are as interesting and entertaining as political debates have ever been. Donald Drumpf has made an unbelievable run to become his party’s front runner, and fans and detractors alike can’t take their eyes off this train wreck. “I know he is in no way qualified to be Commander in Chief,” said Stapleton resident Ron Hansen. “But, for some reason, I am just drawn to him. Not saying I would vote for him, but it’s almost like I’m involved in a reality TV show. And I would hate to vote him off the show, because, damn, it’s entertaining.” Others are equally entertained by Drumpf, but less enthralled. “The guy is a complete racist douchebag,” said resident Sara Essex. “I can’t believe he has a serious following, and is actually going to be the Republican nominee. I remember thinking six months ago that it would be great if he was the Republican nominee, because for sure whoever the Democrat running against him was, was going to annihilate him in the general election. Now, I’m not so sure. Which is quite scary.” [Read more…] about Republican Debates to be Shown on Green

Stapleton parents are extremely busy. In fact, we can assume no other neighborhood in the country has busier people than Stapleton. “There is always something going on,” said Stapleton mom Jodi Young. “I mean, soccer practice, dance class, my yoga, school events, and errands. It never ends. Sometimes, I feel like I live in my car.” In fact, over 85% of Stapleton parents consider their lives “more hectic” than other American families, compared to only 2% who consider their lives “significantly less hectic” than other American families. “When you have kids, and you’re a good parent, your kids are involved,” said resident Marc Potter. “And when your kids are involved, you are carting them all over the place. Most Stapletonians just want the very best for their kids.” [Read more…] about Uber to Test Market “Lil’ Uber” in Stapleton

March Madness is here, and the NCAA Basketball Tournament begins March 17th! The Stapletonion is hosting its fifth annual Bracket Challenge with lots of great prizes from local businesses. The brackets won’t be out until March 13th, but you can get a head start by joining today so our group is ready for the madness! Click here, and our group password is: 80238 The Stapletonion Issue 124 comes out the day before the tournament begins, and we will post reminders to get into the contest on our Facebook page, as well as an email blast on Monday, March 14th. There is no fee to enter. First place will get first choice of our list of great prizes, second place next choice, and so on until the prizes are gone. We have so many great prizes this year! Don’t miss your chance to win! May your bracket not be busted! 2016 Stapletonion Bracket Challenge Prizes

• Stapleton All Sports: Free mutli-sport summer camp
• Amy Marolf Fitness: 21 Day Slim Down and Tone Up Plan ($299 value)
• Mici: Two of the following: 16″ XL Specialty Pizza & Bottle of Italian Wine
• Etais: Two $25 gift cards
• Mu Brewery:  Growler and 2 fills ($40 value)
• Chipotle: Two of the following: Dinner for four certificate
• Happy Bakeshop: Build a Happy Cake, 8″ two-layer birthday cake (feeds 25)
• Jim ‘N Nick’s: $50 Gift Card
• Blue Creek: Gift bag with great skin care products
• Berkshire: Two $30 gift cards
• Stapleton Help Desk: Two hours of service ($250 value)
• Kevin Carlson Golf: 1.5 hour golf workshop – $250 value – The winner can invite up to 5 friends.
• Camp Gladiator: One FREE 4 week Camp Gladiator boot camp (valued at $189) with buddy pass
• Stapleton Roasters: Basket of coffee with biscotti from Gateaux ($30 value)
• Your Soul’s Movement: Fitness Bundle. Includes six complementary adult dance or fitness classes ($96 value)
• Smart Space/Coterie: $100 gift card from SmartSpace/Coterie for any or their services

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Months after the resignation of Northfield’s previous principal, two candidates have emerged who are qualified and willing to take on the epic task of growing the Stapleton area high school. “The search has been exhausting,” said acting DPS Superintendent Susana Cordova. “Candidates have learned what they most likely would be walking into, and therefore, have politely passed on the opportunity. Think of it in terms of a Venn diagram. There is a subset of people who are qualified to be the principal, and that set is fairly large in number. Then, there is a subset of people who are willing to take the job, which is a smaller number, mostly comprised of illegal immigrants looking for work. Then, when you take the intersection of those two, qualified and willing candidates, we are looking at an extremely small number. In fact, really just these two finalists.” The two finalists recently spoke at a community forum at the high school, where 75 attendees were able to listen to their philosophies and ask some questions. “Honestly, I was just happy there are two people willing to take this job,” said forum attendee Leslie Hodan. “They were so brave, speaking passionately about their experiences and how they would actually accept the position. I think they were sincere.” Rob Williams agreed. “They both seem very qualified, intelligent, and willing to work here,” said Williams. “Can we hire them both? I mean, why not have a fall back in case one leaves immediately? I’m definitely going to see what needs to be done to make that happen.” A lot has been made regarding the challenges in developing the Northfield High School, both in getting support and students from the Stapleton community, as well as the challenge of dealing with Stapleton parents. “Can you imagine the politics that will ultimately occur for the sports teams?” asked resident Jim Schmit. “That alone will be crazy. Then, if a student is getting bad grades, will it be the teacher’s fault? I just think it is going to be a really demanding job.” The two finalists, Amy Bringedahl and Stacy Parrish, both bring a lot of experience as well as willingness to take the job. “I thought they both did a great job,” said Williams. “They really want to take the job. That’s what impressed me most.” Hodan agrees. “From what they said, it seems they both have plans for what they would do if they were hired. That tells me they have prepared and care about becoming the principal here. That says a lot. I mean, not a lot of people want to embark on this journey.” The candidates interviewed with acting Superintendent Cordova last Thursday, and the final announcement should be made soon. There will be a Principal at Northfield High School. *Update:   Amy Bringedahl will be the Principal of Northfield High School for the 2016-17 school year.  Best of success to Amy in her years to come. ]]>

The Rundall family is not unlike many other families in Stapleton. They have working parents, and two young children at home, a four and a two year old. Two years ago, they weighed the pros and cons of whether to get a nanny or take their first child to a child care facility. “We decided we wanted our baby to be comfortable at our home,” said working mother Kelly. “If we couldn’t stay home with him, we at least wanted him to be in our house.” There were other reasons as well. “We liked the idea of having one on one child care,” said father Chris. “The child care facilities we looked at were great, but in the end, appreciated the idea that our child would be cared for by one person.” [Read more…] about Stapleton Nanny Calls in Sick for Record Eighth Time During Week

Many Residents on Valentia St. have been there for over 10 years, so of course, everyone is aging. But, according to others on his block, no one is aging more rapidly than Kevin Gibbons. “I’ve really started to notice it lately,” said neighbor and friend Darren Bidler. “It’s not just the gray hair. He definitely is getting a lot more wrinkles.” Neighbor Elise Anderson says she has noticed several things as well. “Let’s face it,” said Anderson. “We are all fighting gray hair and wrinkles. But, Kevin seems to be walking old, and talking old. It’s just a lot of things we have all been noticing and talking about.” Bidler acknowledges he doesn’t think Kevin is that old. “I’m pretty sure is only a few years older than me, and I am 41. He definitely looks older than mid 40’s.” Anderson says she thinks outside factors may be playing a part. “He does have two daughters who are approaching teenage years,” said Anderson. “Also, I know he got a promotion a couple years ago and is pretty high up in his company, so I’m sure that has added stress.” From Gibbon’s view, he isn’t aging that poorly. “I feel pretty good,” said Gibbons, who is 44. “I mean, nothing out of the ordinary. The usual changes a person in their mid-40’s goes through, but I feel pretty good.” Gibbons says he hasn’t noticed any signs of rapid aging over the last couple of years. “To be fair, I see myself almost every day. Now, maybe if I looked at a picture two years ago versus now, I would notice something. But to me, I’m as right as the mail.” Neighbors disagree. “I think he would be a good candidate for some Rodan + Fields products,” said neighbor Leslie Pecenka. Bidler feels more drastic steps could be taken. “Maybe he should start doing HGH. That may slow his aging a little bit.” What won’t slow down is how much his neighbors are talking about his aging. ]]>