Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in denver, CO

Art For Edison!

May 01, 2009

Everyone is hurting these days. Especially our local schools.

Have you heard about ART FOR EDISON?

Due to DPS wide budget cuts, the Edison Elementary CSC was forced to cut the art teacher position for next year. This was a devastating blow to the Edison community, and a groundswell of calls for action emerged. As this quickly changing scenario unfolded, Christopher Scott, PTA President, immediately began working to address this through the PTA. Christopher floated the idea of raising money to hire a teacher by Randy Thomae. As an entrepreneur, raising money and quickly achieving the Big Goal triggered a subprimal urge within Randy. Randy and Christopher set out to solve this problem. They started Art for Edison on February 22 to provide Art to all 575 Edison students next year. They can do this by meeting the Big Goal:

Raise $60,000 by May 28.

This will allow them to hire a full time Art teacher. This is 3 times their fundraising goal for the entire school for the whole year, in 1/3 the time.

HOLY COW.

How can you help? Edison is hosting restaurant nights over the next few weeks all over Northwest Denver:

May 6: Duo 2413 W. 32nd (303) 477-4141 and Red Trolley 2639 W. 32nd (303) 433-7200

May 11: Patrick O’Carroll’s 3961 Tennyson (303) 458-6666

May 13: Shazz 4262 Lowell (303) 477-1407 and Bang 3472 W. 32nd (303) 455-1117

May 20: Venue Bistro 3609 W. 32nd (303) 477-0477

GO. EAT. SUPPORT.

Or... support the school directly with donations or purchase of student art.
http://www.artforedison.org/support/

As a graphic designer, of course I believe in this cause. But you should too.

Elliot Eisner, an education professor at Stanford University, has spent his career studying the mental abilities and disciplines developed by the arts. Here are a few items from his impressive list:

• The ability to wrestle with problems that have no single correct answer.
• The ability to analyze a problem from many different viewpoints.
• The ability to absorb new information even while immersed in a project.
• The ability to change strategies and even set new goals, if that's what new information demands.
• The ability to make good judgments in the absence of fixed rules.
• The ability to work with others toward a common goal.
• The ability to imagine what doesn't yet exist.

Need another reason?

ART. IS. FUN.

Go get 'em Edison. 

Restaurant Review: Plush

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

January 06, 2009

If you were walking down 3rd Avenue in Cherry Creek North, and passed by the Squealing Pig and happened upon Plush, my guess is you wouldn't necessarily think to go in. Especially with your kids. But trust me, if you have any sort of liking for Latin American or Caribbean food - do yourself a favor and TRY IT. The menu is varied and from all parts of Latin America, but the owners themselves  Read more...

Restaurant Review: Steuben's

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

November 14, 2008

Steuben's, located in Uptown on 17th Avenue, is more of a joint that a restaurant. It's got funky 70's-ish decor and stacks of old-school candy by the take-out counter. And all the food has a great comfort food aspect to it, right up to the hush puppies and chicken fried steak. But don't thing just because it's comfort food, that means it's boring. For example, there is the spicy pinto bean  Read more...

Restaurant Review: Anthony's Pizza and Pasta

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

November 03, 2008

I am going to be honest right up front and admit that Anthony's is probably Declan's favorite place in the whole world. And we think it's pretty cool too. It's a casual joint, with locations in Arvada, Aurora, Brighton, Conifer, Denver, DTC, Evergreen, Golden, Highlands Ranch, Lakewood, Littleton, Lone Tree, Longmont, Parker, Stapleton, and Westminster - there is always an Anthony's to be  Read more...

Restaurant Review: Atomic Cowboy

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

September 25, 2008

Yeah, I know it's kind of surprising to review a place that seems more like a bar to go do your best karaoke along Colfax Ave as kid-friendly, but go earlier in the evening, and I promise you - they are. Atomic Cowboy is a fun mix of bar food, rough brick walls, interesting lighting and funky decor. As you walk in the door, there is a stack of board games that are certainly inviting for both  Read more...

Restaurant Review: Soleil Mediterranean Grille & Wine Bar

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

September 17, 2008

This little gem in nestled in the Cherry Creek area, right between Detroit and Fillmore Streets on 3rd Avenue. It's tucked in a bit, but if you pass by in the evening, you will notice the tiki torches lit and the lovely covered patio that peeks out from the front of the building. Inside is filled with atmosphere as well, with wonderful lighting and a split level seating area. But what you are  Read more...

Restaurant Review: Parisi

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

September 08, 2008

The little gem, nestled in the Highlands neighborhood, is a great place to compromise between the kids need for pizza and your need for something more sophisticated (plus a glass of wine). Or, the kids can order from the special "bambini" menu with pastas tailored toward their tastes. And better yet, after you order the food at the counter and go to wait for your meal, the kids can watch the  Read more...

Restaurant Review: Steve's Snappin' Dogs

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

August 20, 2008

Steve's Snappin' Dogs on East Colfax isn't going to be the height of gourmet cuisine, but it sure is a crowd pleaser with the young ones. It's almost like a little shack situated right there in the middle of East Denver. With their outside patio, you feel like you are right on the beach hangin' with Moondoggie taking in your meal. OK, except for the hum of traffic on Colfax and everything. But  Read more...

Restaurant Review: Buca di Beppo

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

July 31, 2008

Yes, I know, when I started these , I promised to avoid chains, but at least Buca di Beppo is a small chain! And I just couldn't resist, because the place is just so FUN! The quirky decorations are sure to tanatilize the eyes of everyone in your party - and add the possibility of sitting in the kitchen? So fun! The only problem for those of us that live very close to downtown? The Buca on Market  Read more...

Our Best Ice Cream (Etc!) Parlors

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

July 25, 2008

I am going to have to divulge a little secret as I write this post, OK? I am diabetic. Luckily I am only mildly diabetic and I am allowed to cheat here and there when I get the urge. And my next secret is this: My major weakness when it comes to sweets is absolutely, positively ICE CREAM. So diabetes or no, I am well-versed in all the places around town to go for the creamy, cold stuff. And more  Read more...

Check out the ethnic in Denver!

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

July 22, 2008

Because there actually *are* a lot of ethnic places in Denver, I promise! Not just steak! Something for everyone! Something for those with kids! Here is a list to get you started. Mataam Fez This Moroccan staple on East Colfax can be a little pricey and also take a long time to get through dinner, so be sure to plan for that. But they have nightly belly dancers and tea pourers that your kids  Read more...

Restaurant Review: Lime XS

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

July 16, 2008

Lime XS is an offshoot of the downtown Lime on Larimer Square. And both have similar menus and similar good service, but Lime XS is a bit out of the downtown hub bub, a bit cozier and frankly, a bit easier to park. Being centered on 6th and Clarkson, you certainly have to walk from neighborhood parking sometimes - but maybe that is what is so appealing about Lime XS, the neighborhood feel. It's  Read more...

Three Days in Denver: Day 1

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

July 08, 2008

In the wonderful tradition of the United Airline's Three Perfect Days, we'd like to give you some great sample itineraries to guide you whether you are visiting the Mile High City for the first time, or a seasoned Denverite, the next three days on Being Savvy Denver will be posts you want to bookmark. Because I am going to go through everything from soup to nuts, collecting fun things to do in  Read more...

Restaurant Review: BD's Mongolian Barbeque

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

July 03, 2008

OK, when I started down this path of restaurant reviewership , I swore I would stay away from chain restaurants. But I kinda broke the rule right away with the Cherry Creek Grill and I am at it again with BD's Mongolian Barbeque . But at least they are *small* chains! And *unique* chains! Right!?!? And in the case of BD's another thing in it's favor is cost. They are reasonably priced, centrally  Read more...

Restaurant Review: The Mediterranean Restaurant

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

June 26, 2008

Lately I have been driving up to Boulder a lot to see friends, but other than friends, usually our main purpose in heading up to the Great NW is to have dinner at the Med. I am a big fan of tapas (small plates) style food, but the Med has both tapas and heartier meals, including some of the yummiest paella this side of Spain. Generally we will get a bunch of tapas (reasonably priced too, woot!)  Read more...

Restaurant Review: Cherry Creek Grill

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

June 18, 2008

Are you ready to get started with Restaurant Reviews out and around Denver? I am! And I need to start with one of my most favorite restaurants ever, The Cherry Creek Grill, in, well, Cherry Creek. Owned by the same company that owns Houston's (but old-timers will remember when it was Bandera Grill), "CCG" - as we like to call it in our house - tends to lean towards steak, fish and chicken...  Read more...