by 
Going on right now at 3:40 PM Saturday February 26, 2011. One of the signs we saw read: “Gaddafi is a terrorist” I think it was. Several flags – different that I’ve seen in Denver – were being waved in a group of, maybe, 35-50 persons who were shouting something, which couldn’t be discerned since our windows were up.
More later…
by First posted January 1, 2011
“This ain’t no New York taxi!”
Yippie Ki Yo Ki Yay. The National Western Stock Show – Opening Day January 8, 2011
“Background: In its 105th year, the National Western Stock Show is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides college and graduate level scholarships in agriculture and medicine for practice in rural areas. It is also our mission to serve producers and consumers throughout the world by being the premier Stock Show, Rodeo, Horse Show and center for year‐round events. The 16‐day show also serves as an entertainment arena, hosting one of the world’s richest regular season professional rodeos, largest horse show and Colorado’s largest tradeshow.”
“Attendance: Overall attendance in 2009 was 643,100. The attendance record was set during the Stock Show’s 100th anniversary in 2006 at 726,972.”
“Exhibits: More than 15,000 head of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats, llamas, alpacas, bison, yak, poultry and rabbits step foot on the grounds of the National Western Stock Show each year. The National Western Stock Show is noted for hosting the world’s only carload and pen cattle show, held in the historic Denver Union Stockyards.”
“Trade Show: More than 350 vendors fill the nearly 100‐acre show grounds with a variety of food and shopping opportunities. The National Western Trade Show offer a variety of products including fine art and jewelry, clothing, household items and agricultural products and equipment.” read more from the Official NWSS Website…
The National Western Stock Show, a brief history By Keith and Cheryl Chamberlain:
“The year was 1906. Theodore Roosevelt was in the White House, there were 45 states in the Union, Colorado was getting ready to celebrate its thirtieth birthday and sirloin was ten cents a pound. On the outskirts of Denver, a growing town with a population of 200,000, stockmen from around the West gathered to show their animals, buy and sell breeding stock and encourage a meatpacking center to rival those in Kansas City and Chicago. From this beginning, the National Western Stock Show, Rodeo and Horse Show was born. The grand champion steer that first year was a Shorthorn that tipped the scales at 1,150 pounds and befitting its status, fetched an eye-popping 33 cents a pound.”
The West Needs A Stock Show
“In the early years of the 20th century, western stock growers faced a problem. They lacked a large market center in the West to receive their animals and the cost of shipping to eastern markets cut into already lean profits. Though there was a small meat packing industry in Denver, it was a poor cousin to its larger rivals in Chicago and Kansas City. There was also the feeling among western stockmen that they weren’t getting fair prices for their cattle, sheep and hogs. Livestock raising in the West was a tougher proposition than in the more humid East where concentrated corn and grain feeds were used to fatten livestock. The solution would be improved breeds that could thrive in this more arid region and a meat packing center in the West to compete with the big eastern packers” read more
Great American Bison
Photo is from Gear-Gear.Com
RODEO – HORSE SHOW – LIVESTOCK – WESTERN ART – SPECIAL EVENTS – TRADE SHOW – MORE
Buy tickets, see photos and find more information including show times at the NWSS Official Website
Visit the main pages of LasVegasBuffetclub.Com
by 
“The Strip fills with revelers. Fireworks light up the sky. The casinos are body-to-body, the showrooms filled with A-list entertainers and Vegas is more gloriously alive than you’ve ever seen it. New Year’s Eve in Vegas is a world-class celebration. Below you can book your room, buy nightclub party tickets, show tickets and get information about the fireworks.”
Visit Vegas.Com to find the perfect gig for bringing in The New Year…
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Denver’s New Year’s Eve 2011 Party Guide
“clubZone[sic] ranks the top New Years Eve parties in Denver based on how they’re selling. Review the events below, find the best party for you, buy your tickets in advance… and have a great New Years Eve!”
Find Denver New Year’s Eve information here…
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Bring in the New Year information for your city – visit ClubZone.Com.
by 
EL NOA NOA Mexican Restaurant
722 Santa Fe Dr
Denver, CO 80204 (303) 623-9968
One of the best Mexican restaurants in Denver, Colorado, EL NOA NOA on Santa Fe Drive is an authentic Mexican restaurant in an Hispanic neighborhood that has been around forever. A commercial area of the ‘hood surrounding EL NOA NOA has recently been adopted by a multi-culture art crowd. It is fast becoming a major “ARTS DISTRICT.” O.K. if you’re from New York you have a different definition of the term “major.” So… The restaurant underwent a makeover in the past year, or so.
According to tradition there were 2 dogs, two cats, 2 elephants, 2 zebras, on and on and on and on the ark during the flood. It would make sense then that maybe there were also two Noa’s…Or is that too much of a stretch? Anyway I’ve decided that that is the origin of the name.
Actually it’s the name of a little book the artist, Paul Gauguin wrote about a season in Tahiti in 1891.
Maybe that’s where Noa Noa’s owner got it. This is one of Gauguin’s paintings from that time.
El Noa Noa might be my favorite Mexican Restaurant in Denver. Maybe it depends on the time of year. In the more favorable seasons, weather permitting – the patio is open (see photo,) the trees are in bloom, the fountain is running and on some Saturday nights there is live music. In a perfect storm, so to speak, and all things are happening as they should be happening – this may be it. I can’t imagine a much more pleasant ambiance.
We were there last Saturday night. The late sun was shinning, the band – a South American flute and guitar group were into their music – and we were into some excellent authentic Mexican food and beverage.
I mentioned to the affable Armando that since the patio really helps to make the restaurant they should think about enclosing the patio with glass or acrylic so this little piece of heaven can be enjoyed year-round.
This good look’n restaurant attracts some good look’n people – the people watching is superlative.
The Denver Civic Theatre at 721 Santa Fe Drive is just across the street..
Play’s such as last year’s THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES opened to good reviews/crowds.
The food is excellent: Try the Chile Rellano Plate ($10.25) or the Fajitas ($14.50.) Everything is tasty and authentic…
Prices are moderate. The full bar is serving up your favorite margs. Happy Hour: Mon – Fri, 2-6, check website.
Better hurry though, it won’t be long before the Colorado nights are too chilly to have chile outdoors.
El Noa Noa’s Official Website with full menu and more
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Winners Announced
The 2010 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) competition drew an impressive field of competitors, with 2010 topping last year’s entries by nine percent. GABF remains the largest commercial beer competition in the world with 3,523 beers vying for medals (compared to 3,308 entries in 2009).
This year’s GABF competition attracted 151 beer judges from 10 countries. Award-winning brewers received prestigious gold, silver and bronze medals in 79 beer categories covering 133 beer styles, establishing the best examples of each style in the U.S more from The Great American Beer Festival” website
This year’s festival was held on September 16-18, 2010 • Colorado Convention Center • Denver, Colorado.
The Great American Beer Festival’s Official Website.
BUUUUURRRRRRRPPP!
by Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
July 24-25 at Sloan’s Lake Park in Denver
Story and photographs are from the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival’s Official Website
July 25 Full moon information at the bottom of this page.
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival:
Celebrating Colorado’s Asian Pacific American Communities for 10 Years
The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival (CDBF) has become, in 10 years, the most recognized and celebrated Asian American/Pacific Islander cultural event in the Rocky Mountain region. From an audience of 15,000 in its first year, 2001, the Festival has grown to over 100,000 spectators from throughout the region. Since inception, it has received many accolades and awards. For example, Westword anointed the Festival “Best New Festival” of 2001. The Rocky Mountain News called it the “Best City Festival” in 2003. And, in 2007, 5280 magazine describes Dragon Boat as “One of Colorado’s greatest festivals…”
There have been other Asian Pacific American events in the Denver metro area, but none with the scope and scale of CDBF. The Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership with partners Denver Film Society and the City of Aurora hosted the Aurora Asian Film Festival, a showcase for recent theatrical films with Asian themes for many years. The film festival is currently on hiatus. The Asian Pacific Development Center mounted Passport to Asia which included Asian American entertainments and vendors. At its peak, Passport to Asia drew 10,000 The Cherry Blossom Festival at Sakura Square has been a Denver tradition for over 35 years. Sponsored by Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple, the still-thriving Cherry Blossom Festival draws 25,000 spectators to celebrate Japanese-American culture, food, music, dance, arts and crafts.
Planning for a dragon boat festival began in 2000. Ding Wen Hsu, then president of the Chinese American Council of Colorado, had heard that John Chin, then president of the Denver Chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans, was working with Howie Solow, founder and chief instructor of the Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu Association, on developing a dragon boat festival in Denver. She contacted John Chin to discuss collaboration as she was interested in doing such a festival
When the three festival founders met, they found that they shared a common festival vision. All three believed that the festival should be a Pan-Asian event celebrating all of Colorado’s Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Moreover, they felt that the festival needed to be “community-owned” with local AAPI communities guiding the goals and direction of the festival. They also envisioned three key elements as fundamental to the success of the festival: dragon boat racing using traditional dragon boats; an entertainment stage featuring local Asian Pacific American groups; and a marketplace with the foods, crafts and other merchandise of local AAPI businesses. read more from the CDBF Official Website
One of the ongoing highlights of each year’s Colorado Dragon Boat Festival has been the opportunity to eat your way across Asia and the Pacific Islands — bite by bite. Over the years, Taste of Asia has featured vendors serving up the cuisines of China, Korea, Vietnam, Philippines, India, Japan, Hawai’i, Laos, Thailand and oh yes, the good ol’ USA (and Mexico!).
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival’s Official Website
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The Moon will be 100% full on July 25th, 2010 at 6:37 PM Las Vegas, Nevada time.
by HAPPY 4TH OF JULY USA
The 20th Anniversary Cherry Creek Art Festival takes place July 4th weekend on July 3,4,5, 2010 at Cherry Creek North (First Avenue and University Boulevard) in Denver, Colorado
Another year has passed and another Cherry Creek Arts Festival is under way, another wave of artists and vendors. New art, old art, good art, better art but not much rain-art, at least not by 3:00 P.M. yesterday.
That is to say that it always rains opening day of the CCAF. We left around 3:00 and at that time it had not rained yet.
All n’ all it was a perfect day for an art festival and though I’ve only seen about half of the artists, I’ll add to the following list after the end of this day.
The paintings in the booth of Bradford J. Salamon of California (above) left a very strong impression. The luxuriously rich oils had a dessert-like icing-on-the-cake finish. Salamon’s impressionistic technique creates areas of photo-realism in paintings of gorgeous faces in salon-like settings.
Vibrant, glossy colors meld into backgrounds of muted browns and golds, at least that’s what’s stuck in my memory.
Salamon is a big guy. You’d guess football player rather than painter of fine oils. Find out more about him from his website: Bradford J. Salamon’s Official Website
Other work that I really enjoyed, not necessarily in any particular order include paintings by Loretta Petraitis who paints rust and stuff in city-scapes of rusted bridges with rivets, bolts and other industrial trapings. Hard, cold realism is nailed and riveted to the canvas. [This is too esotaric, but “all molecules have equal value.”] Loretta Petraitis works can be seen on the web here
Cézanne inspired (I’m sure) oils in oranges and yellows, of oranges and yellows, that’s lemons and oranges to the little people, are executed beautifully by Kelley Somer of Alpine Utah. The colorful, yet stark oils are powerfully vibrant – some suggestive of those chewey, sugar-coated-citrus candy wedges. Glass vessels and silver utensils complement the fruits (in contrast.) Kelly Somer’s work can be seen on her website www.kellysomer.com
Thomas Wargin must have ridden down Hell’s main highway on a motorcycle in order to be able to conjure up the images, in sculpture, of his wild cycle-creatures: part human – part machine, rolling down a road of imagination. Other Bosch-like sculpture includes two (fused) topless women sharing a dress of golden breasts. Thomas Wargin’s website is choc full of sculpture.
These are just a few of the artists that really engaged me. They as well as many other artists can be found on the CCAF website.
I know this is pretentious, it’s just my opinion. You can also have an opinion.
Cherry Creek Arts Festival Official Website
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Monday July 5, 2010
Well I went back to the show; it was pretty much rained out last night. Today was a beautiful sunshiny day. I went back but didn’t really find anything that knocked me out. Maybe one or two of the following.
I’m still trying to figure out the “Best of Show.” Best I can figure is that it’s an entire installation piece that won “Best of Show” – in the “Painting” catagory. It’s a hand crafted shipping-crate-type structure (98″ x 78″ x 113″) which is like a little gallery with framed paintings on the walls. Here’s the link, you go figure it out: www.joachimknill.com/national-treasure/crate.html Maybe it could be a dwelling for a homeless family. They would need Street Supplies.
2010 Award Winners of The Cherry Creek Arts Festival: Best of Show, Joachim Knill (painting?); Second Place, Betsy Youngquist (mixed media); Third Place, Joe Decamillis (mixed media.)
by [Previously posted one week ago.]
Self Made Man – Photo is from Bobbie Carlyle’s website
“Bobbie Carlyle’s vision of Self Made Man is a man carving himself out of stone, carving his character, carving his future.”
Walking through Denver’s Writer Square some time back I was stopped dead by an iconic (I thought) sculpture of a male figure’s self-emergence from a block of bronze. The block of bronze was cast to resemble a block of stone; the figure is wielding a hammer and chisel. The obvious conclusion, derived from the title, is that the man is in the process of self-creation.
Maybe another way to look at this sculpture is that it is a metaphor for man freeing himself from something. In a very Zen way, maybe it’s a metaphor for a man liberating himself from the physical entrapment of the earthbound body – the spirit/soul trying to leave the body, although the body is doing the leaving. I said metaphor, that leaves a bunch of room for creative license. Another name (my term) for the piece of sculpture might be “I Shall Soon Be Free.” Maybe it’s (profoundly) simply a metaphor for life’s difficult journey.
Well so far I’ve been stumbling around trying to explain a great piece of sculpture with words. I have failed miserably, but the artist has succeded in saying it without words, oh yea, there’s the title. No title is necessary for this monumental bronze.
I was thinking that “I know that I know that piece but I just can’t seem to place it.” I erroneously thought that the sculpture was a classic bronze sculpture, probably Greek or Italian, maybe even a piece by someone like Michelangelo. I went into the nearby Knox Gallery to inquire.
Whoa, I was told that it’s a contemporary work. “She began the first rendition [a 37″ bronze] of the work in Colorado in 1987.” So, it’s not really an iconic sculpture, but maybe something that looks like a famous icon will be someday, or should be. Without a doubt Self Made Man is my favorite piece of sculpture, in Denver, at the present time. It is so very cool. Is this the very essence of sculpture?
“The essence of the sculpture of BOBBIE CARLYLE is captured in the words bold strength and provocative intelligence. She has established her prominence in the sculpture world during the past two decades. Her sculptures in bronze and stone are all executed with imagination and vitality, in subjects ranging from wildlife to western to figurative. Ms. Carlyle has created some of the most compelling figurative work in the art world today, work that causes the viewer to look into themselves with the several layers of meaning. Indeed, it is work that carries a strong psychological appeal; dealing with the full spectrum, complexity of emotion, struggles and triumphs of life. She has studied under many of the notable artists of today and also takes influence from Solon and Gutzon Borglum, Rodin, Daniel Chester French and Michaelangelo. Further, her own life struggles with its hard-won insights, and her seven children have been inspiration to many of her works.”
“Ms. Carlyle received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She has taught numerous workshops which include teaching at the Colorado Institute of Art.”
“Her works are displayed internationally in numerous public and private collections in reliefs, smaller works, life size fountains and monuments. Currently she is working with architects, landscape architects, land developers and art representatives on numerous installations, commissioned pieces and fountains.”
“Bobbie Carlyle has created some of the most compelling figurative work in the art world today, work that causes the viewer to look into themselves with multiple layers of meaning. Indeed, it is work that carries a strong psychological appeal: dealing with the full spectrum, complexity of emotion, struggles and triumphs of life.”
“Bobbie Carlyle’s vision of Self Made Man is a man carving himself out of stone, carving his character, carving his future.”
Article was copied verbatim from MS Carlyle’s website: www.bobbiecarlylesculpture.com/
Artwork – from posters ($55.00) to 14-foot, $135,000 bronze sculptures – can be purchased from the artist’s website or from Knox Gallery. Smaller bronzes are also available.
Thanks TL for your informative email. [Private post]
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by 
Imperial Chinese Restaurant
431 S. Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80209
Excerpt is from The Imperial’s website
“Since the Imperial Chinese Restaurant made its debut in 1985, it has become, quite simply, the standard by which all other Denver Chinese cuisine is judged. Owner Johnny Hsu, who has created a tradition of large scale, fine Asian establishments and owns the exquiste Palace Chinese Restaurant in south Denver. And while diners have remained loyal over the past two decades, so have the restaurant critics.” read more from The Imperial’s Official Website
The other night, as we were celebrating *2x’s birthday – on Chinese New Year’s Eve – I was thinking that dining at the Imperial feels more like dining in a high-end hotel restaurant in Las Vegas. The high-def energy in this place is amazing. Maybe it’s the collective brain energy of the extra intelligent people who dine here.
Quality is a word that comes to mind when thinking of The Imperial Chinese Restaurant. From the entrance and the reservations-desk to the booths, the decor, the huge fishtanks, the fresh flowers on each table, the fine dark woods and nick-nacks, everything here is first rate. Then there’s the food which is also first rate. The extra, good-looking staff and management is extra-friendly and efficient.
“The Imperial Chinese Restaurant is famous for it’s spicy Szechwan dishes. It was first to introduce the sesame chicken to Denver and it’s flavorful version is still the best. The melt in your mouth Chilean sea bass in black bean sauce, stir fired Dungeness crab, steamed whole striped bass and continous addition of new Chinese dishes keep loyal diners coming back.”
The restaurant was jammed on New Year’s Eve. Our reservation wasn’t ready when we arrived so we did a 35 minute stint in the little bar area; We were served complimentary egg rolls while we waited.
Our party ordered Szechwan Assorted Vegetables (my favorite, $10.95,) Moo Shoo Chicken (10.25,) Mongolian Beef (11.95) and a Seafood Bird’s Nest (18.95.) Everything was well prepared and very tasty.
Also on the menu – Signature Dishes, including: Nanking Pork Loin – “Bite-size pork loin marinated and cooked in our chef’s special sauce” (12.50) to Peking Duck – Fit for the Emperor “Whole duckling roasted to perfection, skinned, deboned and served with pancakes” (37.50,) Whole Dungeness Crabs “Whole Dungeness crab cut into various pieces, stir-fried with fresh scallions, ginger and Chinese five spices (Market Price,) The Imperial Dinner $21.95 per person (Minimum Serving 2 people:) Soup, Appetizers, Entree Choice and Dessert. See complete menu at The Imperial’s Official Website
. On-site and street parking available
. Full bar
* 2nd ex…
The Imperial Chinese Restaurant’s Official Website with complete menu, directions, photos and more
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by SHOW CLOSED…
Originally published January 14, 2010
As the cold-train of winter is pulling away and non-natives are taking down Christmas decorations too soon, the National Western Stock Show is capping-off the holiday season.
In years past, before the Broncos, or the Nuggets or the Rockies or the AVS (whew!) brought in big revenue-bucks to the City and County of Denver, the National Western Stock Show was Denver’s only big, yearly, draw. The City and County of Denver received a tremendous financial boost from the Stock Show. Denverites welcomed the cattle-folk with open arms – and Christmas decorations that lasted through Stock Show.
The National Western Stock Show and Rodeo is basically a meat-market with a Champion Rodeo to boot.
Live Stock sales, judging, exhibits and sport-rodeo are on the agenda at Denver’s National Western Complex. The NWSS Official Website provides all information including directions and ticket sales.