Many residents have voiced concerns over the Mercy Housing Project the Bluff Lake Apartments. The project is meant to help out those in need of a fresh start and who are working hard in their new opportunities. Many residents were concerned about the type of people the project was going to be housing. “We were told that the project was going to house some homeless people,” says resident Mitchell McAllister. “I assumed they were recruiting people from underneath the viaduct.” This is hardly the case. In fact, residents will be pleasantly surprised to learn that the new residents will be similar to their neighbors, and in some cases, their actual neighbors. “During the real estate bubble, Stapleton builders convinced buyers that they could afford anything,” says Mercy Housing spokesperson Stacy Wilson. “They were subsequently given loans that were way too big, and eventually were foreclosed upon. Those are the types of people we are moving into the Bluff Lake Apartments.” “We are very excited about this opportunity,” says former New Town Home owner and future Bluff Lake Apartment resident Jason Schwab. “We still get to be close to our friends and the kids won’t need to change schools.” Stapleton residents should use caution before judging Bluff Lake Apartment residents. They might just be your former neighbors. ]]>

Tammi Dean was at first overjoyed to hear that her seven year old son Jackson had won an all-expense paid trip to space camp based on his submission to a NASA-sponsored Denver School of Science and Technology essay contest on space travel. However, her pride quickly changed to concern when she was notified that space camp is actually in space. According to NASA, in an attempt to save the Space Program, whose funding has been drastically cut in recent years, they have been forced to think “outside the box.” [Read more…] about Space Camp Actually IN Space

In a somewhat controversial new initiative, the SUN Sustainability Committee voted 5 to 4 in favor of the “No Tree Left Behind” program. “We were seeing all of these trees in the different Stapleton Neighborhoods that did not appear to be getting the proper attention,” says Sustainability Chair Lauren Parker. “Just because the tree does not have owners who care, does not mean the neighborhood shouldn’t be responsible to keep them growing and strong.” The initiative has drawn a lot of heat because each of the different Stapleton boroughs must now pass a quarterly tree inspection where a certain percentage of trees are deemed “healthy” by the Arbor Commission. If they do not pass the inspection, the neighborhood will no longer receive MCA funding for its parks, pools, and general upkeep. [Read more…] about SUN Sustainability Committee Initiates “No Tree Left Behind” Program

Forrest City has announced its next cleaning of Westerly Creek will be held on June 23rd. In coordination with SUN, they are looking for the usual volunteers to help pick up garbage that has flowed down from Aurora as well as get rid of dead plants and other wayward garbage. Mainly, however, they are asking for the aid of hunters to clean up the real problem in north Westerly Creek: prairie dogs. [Read more…] about Westerly Creek “Clean Up” June 23rd: Forrest City Seeking Hunters to Kill Prairie Dogs

In a controversial move, the Stapleton MCA has agreed to allow Aurora Fox to perform the cult classic, A Clockwork Orange for one of the summer theatre showings. “For all of the violence in the book and subsequent Kubric film, it does have some important social commentary,” says MCA President Liza Kampstra. “It asks some important questions in regards to rehabilitating violent criminals.” Some residents are concerned that the violence and overall content is way too strong and complex for the young viewers that attend the Theatre on the Green. “I am not arguing that A Clockwork Orange has its place in the annals of film history,” says concerned resident Lisa Stone. “It is just way too violent for the age of the children that will be attending these events. Typically, we would expect material that is much more light-hearted.” [Read more…] about Theatre on the Green to Feature A Clockwork Orange

The transition from having no children to having a child can be very challenging for many couples. There is the obvious lack of sleep, the feeling of having no idea of what you are doing, and of course, the terrible new burden of responsibility that you have never previously felt. Couples try to prepare for this transition through talking with other parents, going online, and reading books like What to Expect When You’re Expecting. All of these are somewhat helpful in preparing people for parenthood, but there is still a big gap between preparation and reality. The new boot camp, Baby Prep Boot Camp (www.babyprepbootcamp.com), helps fill the physical, emotional, and mental gaps that other resources aren’t providing. [Read more…] about Stapleton Boot Camp to Prepare Couples for Children

Forrest City President Phil Dargossi is currently in talks with the city of Aurora and the City of Denver in an effort to create a buffer zone between the Stapleton community in Denver and Aurora. “First and foremost, the concerns of the community are our biggest priority,” says Dargossi. “What we want to build is an area, similar to a demilitarized zone, which will separate the two areas and create a safe environment for our citizens.” The proposal is to build a one to two mile gated area with a large security barbed wire fence which will only allow Aurorans through in their vehicles and only during certain times. Currently, Aurora councilman Matt Shelton is not sold on the proposal. “I am not sure this is something I can get behind,” says Shelton. “As an Auroran, I would prefer that Aurorans could get out of here any time they wanted. I don’t feel comfortable having all these Aurorans here in the first place.” Denver councilman Adam Jones disagrees. “In the end, we must look out for the citizens of Denver,” says Jones. “This proposal looks to address the safety and well-being of our communities. We don’t want Aurorans here. It’s bad enough we are housing them in our jail down the street.” The plan will be voted on by both communities in mid-July. “We do not have the final provisions set at this point,” said Dargossi. “We expect for both cities to pass the provision, and we look forward to putting up signs stating, ‘Future Home of Buffer Zone’ in the Stapleton community.” ]]>

King Soopers: When Maxi-Pads and Beer ARE the Emergency King Soopers has long had the simple and to the point slogan, “Right Store. Right Price.” It has been around for over a decade and has remained a strong statement about who the corporation is. Recently, the Stapleton King Soopers has made several changes, and although they still associate with the corporate slogan, they are looking to make a statement specific to their store. [Read more…] about Stapleton King Soopers Looks for New Slogan